After a three-year hiatus, it was inspiring and exciting to engage in learning, thinking, networking and collaboration with so many dedicated middle years educators at Hillcrest Christian College on the Gold Coast at the Adolescent Success International Conference in August this year. The theme, Humans Matter, ensured an intentional focus on the development, wellbeing, education, and growth of young adolescents, as well as their teachers and caregivers. The three days provided delegates with a myriad of practical strategies, insights, and considerations to take away, opportunities for reflection upon current practices within their own contexts, and possibilities moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]