Professional Learnings NSWPPA Educational Leadership

Masters, Not Victims: What Learner Agency Asks of a Leader (James Anderson)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 21:00:00 +1100

Victim or master? In the opening episode of The Lead Learner, our new four part series with James Anderson, we ask what learner agency really asks of a school leader.

James makes a deceptively simple case. A student without agency feels like the victim of their circumstances. A student with agency feels like the master of them. Agency, he argues, is not a program we hand out. It is an outcome we build, through the environment to act, the will to act, and the power to act.

In this episode:

Why "voice and choice" is not the same as building agency

The environment to act, and the four zones of learning

What the learning zone should feel like, and the messages that get in the way

Why agency is an outcome, not a pedagogy

What all of this asks of us as the lead learners in our schools

About our guest: James Anderson is a speaker, author and educator. His work includes Learner Agency, The Agile Learner, Learnership, The Mindset Continuum, and his most recent book From Feedback to Advice. More at jamesanderson.com.au.

We would love to hear from you. What are your takeaways? Email pl@nswppa.org.au. We read every one.

Next episode: Learnership. Learning Is a Skill, So Who's Developing It?

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Thomas Guskey: Select Talent or Develop Talent, The Question That Shapes Every Educator

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +1000

If professional learning is “working”, where can you see it first: in a staff room conversation, a polished program plan, or in what students do differently tomorrow? We sit down with Dr Thomas Guskey, Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky, to get brutally clear on what counts as effective professional learning and how school leaders can evaluate it without turning it into another compliance task.

Guskey walks us through his five levels of evaluation and why so many schools get stuck measuring process instead of impact. We dig into the real leadership challenge behind “level five”: agreeing on what we want students to learn, then choosing evidence people actually trust. A key insight is urgency: teachers will often trial a new practice, but if they can’t see credible signs it’s helping students within about two weeks, they will understandably stop. That pushes us towards short-cycle evidence like formative assessment, engagement, dispositions, and other meaningful classroom indicators, not just end-of-term results.

We also explore why needs surveys often show symptoms rather than underlying needs, and why evaluation questions mostly need answering before you begin. Along the way we touch on Benjamin Bloom, structured collaboration that helps rather than resists change, principal workload, and the small acts of recognition that keep good people going. The conversation lands on one question that can reshape school culture: is our purpose to select talent or to develop it?

If you want a practical, evidence-based way to plan teacher professional development that improves student learning outcomes, hit play, then subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a short review so other school leaders can find the show.

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

How do I fit everything in? Annette Gray on leading as a coach

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 +1000

If leadership feels heavier than it used to, you’re not imagining it. We sit down with leadership and coaching specialist Annette Gray to get honest about what effective school leadership looks like in 2026, and why the leaders who thrive now are the ones who ask better questions, share power, and stay deeply human while the system keeps demanding more.

We unpack the difference between trust-based leadership and the kind that slips into control and micromanagement. Annette explains how capability and “levels of work” can shape a leader’s behaviour, why self-awareness is the real starting point, and how shifting from below-the-line reactions to above-the-line choices changes culture fast. We also tackle the very real NSW constraint of one protected hour a week for professional learning, and reframe development as something that happens through purposeful conversations all day long, not only in formal meetings.

Then we get practical. Annette coaches Drew live on a genuine principal challenge: improving student growth in maths fundamentals while keeping staff engaged and supported. You’ll hear solution-focused coaching in action, including scaling, defining a preferred future, noticing what’s already working, and choosing a next small step that fits into the week you actually have.

We also share how you can learn these skills through the NSW Primary Principals Association coaching foundations program, with a two-day workshop in Ultimo (28 and 29 July) and an online option across four August mornings (11, 13, 18, 20). If this helped you rethink how you lead, subscribe, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more principals can find it.

This is not a conversation about strategies and checklists. It is about the way you have your next conversation.

In this conversation, you will hear:

-> What leadership is becoming, and why "wise leadership" is learned through doing, not through one more program
-> The story of the two leaders who shaped Annette's career, one who brought out her best, one who brought out her worst, and the single difference between them
-> What an effective leader actually does today: agency, autonomy, and being trusted to work things out
-> How to fit everything in when you have one protected hour a week, by building a coaching culture instead of carrying it all yourself
-> Why your people want a coach, not a boss, and how coaching can be distilled into three questions you can ask in five minutes
-> A live, unscripted, real play, where Annette coaches Drew for around eight minutes on a genuine school challenge, so you can hear exactly what solution-focused coaching sounds like

If you have ever asked yourself "how do I fit everything in", this episode is for you.

ABOUT ANNETTE GRAY

Annette Gray is a leadership and coaching specialist. She began as a high school teacher before moving into corporate learning and development, leadership development and strategic HR, and now works with leaders across sectors on solution focused coaching. She presents the Foundations program for NSWPPA.

More about Annette: https://www.annettegray.com.au/about-annette-gray

COACHING COURSES WITH ANNETTE, 2026

Foundations: Leading Solution Focus Coaching Conversations

"The most practical coaching training I have attended in my career." Jono Coombes, Principal, Artarmon Public School

July, in person, two days, NSW PPA Office, Ultimo, Sydney
Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29 July, 9.00am to 4.30pm
Register: https://www.annettegray.com.au/offers/eLA35Yig/checkout

August, online, four mornings, 9.00am to 12.30pm AEST
Tuesday 11, Thursday 13, Tuesday 18 and Thursday 20 August
Register: https://www.annettegray.com.au/offers/URTtqbLF/checkout

Both programs include after-course coaching check-ins to embed the skills.

IDEAS MENTIONED

-> Solution focused coaching: ask more, tell less, redirect to what is wanted
-> Above the line and below the line behaviours
-> Distributed leadership and building a coaching culture
-> The three coaching questions: what is happening for you now, how do you want it to be, what is your next small step
-> "You are the expert in your world, I am a guide on the side"

CONNECT WITH NSWPPA -

Website: nswppa.org.au
Professional Learnings Podcast: professionallearningsnswppa.buzzsprout.com
LinkedIn: NSW Primary Principals Association

Read less

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

We Change Brains Angela Falkenberg on National Advocacy, Student Anxiety and the Power of Primary Education

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000

What if the most powerful thing a school leader does every single day is something most people never even see?
In this Season 4 episode, Drew Janetzki sits down with Angela Falkenberg National President of the Australian Primary Principals Association for a conversation about national advocacy, student anxiety, principal wellbeing, and the profound power of primary education to change lives.
Angela brings to this conversation a career that began in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, moved through leading primary schools in South Australia, and now sees her carrying the national voice for over 7,600 primary school leaders across Australia.
In this conversation you will hear:
-> Why Angela believes primary education is the only profession in the world that every day intentionally sets out to change brains
-> The story of children born with their fists closed — and what it means for every educator who has ever believed in a student
-> APPA's national research into childhood anxiety: why 81% of principals flagged it as a significant issue, and what happened next
-> How NSWPPA's Anxiety Project : now operating in 143 schools with 82 trained implementation coaches : grew from that national foundation
-> Why leadership is not appeasement and what principals need to hear about saying no
-> What the data on principal wellbeing is telling us, and why positioning it as an individual responsibility is no longer good enough
-> Angela's own story of resilience and why goodwill is finite
This is a conversation about national advocacy, the courage it takes to lead, and why the work of primary school principals matters more than most people will ever know.
--- ABOUT ANGELA FALKENBERG ---
Angela Falkenberg is National President of the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), representing over 7,600 primary principals across government, Catholic and independent sectors. Her career spans teaching in remote Aboriginal and Anangu communities in the Northern Territory, leading primary schools in South Australia, and serving as President of the South Australian Primary Principals Association. She is only the second female president in APPA's 52-year history. Angela holds positive psychology training through Penn University and is a passionate advocate for principal wellbeing, equity in education, and the esteem of the teaching profession.
--- ABOUT APPA ---
The Australian Primary Principals Association is the national voice for primary school leaders across Australia. Learn more and access APPA's position papers and research at www.appa.asn.au
--- THE ANXIETY PROJECT ---
NSWPPA's Anxiety Project is a whole-school approach to managing student anxiety, now operating in 143 NSW schools. Independent evaluation shows teacher confidence to address anxiety rose from 27.6% to 71.3%. Learn more at nswppa.org.au
--- CONNECT WITH NSWPPA ---
Website: nswppa.org.au
Professional Learnings Podcast: professionallearningsnswppa.buzzsprout.com
LinkedIn: NSW Primary Principals Association
Socials @nswppa APPA @appa

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Judy Hatswell: The Art of Leadership, Choice Theory and Internal Psychology: What Great Principals Know About Themselves

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 23:00:00 +1100

What makes a great leader and where does that greatness actually come from?

In this milestone episode, Drew Janetzki sits down with Judy Hatswell teacher, registered psychologist, leadership consultant, and co-architect of the Art of Leadership program. For 14 years, Judy has stood in front of NSW primary school principals and helped them do the hardest work in leadership: understanding themselves.

2,186 participants. 398 schools. 14 years. This is the story of a program that became the Crown Jewel of NSWPPA's professional learning suite and the woman who built it.

In this conversation you will hear:

-> The moment in 1979 that changed Judy's understanding of human behaviour forever
-> Why external psychology, rewards, punishments, compliance is getting less effective, not more
-> What Choice Theory actually teaches, and why 40 years of neuroscience research now backs it up
-> The one thing every principal must do before they can truly lead others
-> The whiteboard moment that became the Window of Certainty used in hundreds of NSW schools today
-> What Judy wants her legacy to be, and what she hopes every school in this state will one day choose to believe

This is not a conversation about strategies and checklists. This is a conversation about the inner work of leadership.

--- ABOUT JUDY HATSWELL ---

Judy Hatswell is a teacher, registered psychologist and senior instructor through Glasser Australia. She is the co-founder of the Art of Leadership program and a leading authority on Choice Theory and Quality Schools in Australian education. She has worked in schools across every state of Australia, in Indigenous communities, and in more than a dozen countries worldwide, including Iran, Colombia, South Africa, Canada and Korea.

--- THE ART OF LEADERSHIP 2026 ---

The Art of Leadership 2026 program is now open for enrolment across 8 locations in NSW.
Enrol now: nswppa.org.au/art-of-leadership

--- RESOURCES MENTIONED ---

-> Choice Theory / Quality Schools Dr. William Glasser
-> The Window of Certainty Hatswell and Stones (2016)
-> Self-Determination Theory Deci and Ryan
-> Vivian Robinson instructional leadership effect size 0.84
-> Viktor Frankl Man's Search for Meaning
-> Harvard positive psychology research relationship as the primary driver of influence

--- CONNECT WITH NSWPPA ---

Website: nswppa.org.au
Art of Leadership: nswppa.org.au/art-of-leadership
Professional Learnings Podcast: professionallearningsnswppa.buzzsprout.com
LinkedIn: NSW Primary Principals Association

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Beyond Advice: How Human-Centered Leadership Transforms Schools

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +1100

In this insightful episode of Professional Learnings, host Drew introduces Season 4 with a powerful conversation featuring executive coach and leadership consultant, Annette Gray. Annette shares her profound insights on navigating leadership through crisis, fostering human-centred school cultures, and the critical importance of self-awareness for educational leaders.

Drawing from her experience supporting principals during the recovery phase of the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, Annette discusses the emotional and professional toll on leaders and how a coach-like approach can help them support their communities while managing their own wellbeing. The conversation delves into practical strategies for having difficult conversations, building trust, and creating a thriving, constructive school environment.

About Our Guest

Annette Gray is an experienced educator, executive coach, and consultant specialising in leadership development within the education sector. With a passion for diversity and inclusion, she helps leaders create human-centred, inclusive, and effective learning environments. Annette is the founder of Annette Gray Consulting and offers a range of programs designed to enhance leadership capabilities, from foundational coaching skills to intensive group and individual coaching.

Connect with Annette:

•Website: www.annettegray.com.au

•YouTube: Annette Gray Consulting

Showcase Notes via Google docs to show all of Annettes Books

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sBw94nRp54zcJ3txgPXHyOHOjT-_gIrPOSYVN1Pw3mo/edit?usp=sharing

Key Takeaways

The Power of a Coach-Like Approach: Instead of giving advice, leaders can empower their teams by asking questions, listening deeply, and helping them find their own solutions. This fosters a sense of ownership and honours the expertise of individuals within their own context.

Self-Awareness is the Foundation of Leadership: Annette emphasises that self-awareness is the key skill for any leader. Understanding your own triggers, strengths, and areas for growth allows you to show up as your best self and lead with kindness and compassion.

Navigating Difficult Conversations: The episode explores the importance of direct management and having courageous conversations to address behaviours that are not aligned with the desired school culture. The goal is to be proactive and constructive, maintaining the relationship while holding people accountable.

Wellbeing and Presence: For busy principals, being fully present in conversations is a powerful way to make staff feel heard and supported. Annette suggests that if you cannot be present, it is better to reschedule the conversation for a time when you can give it your full attention.

Embracing Ambiguity: In today's complex world, leaders do not need to have all the answers. Annette encourages leaders to collaborate with their teams to make sense of uncertainty and move forward together.

Term 1 Program Opportunity

Annette is offering a pilot coaching program for leaders in Term 1. This is a unique opportunity to develop your coaching skills and leadership capabilities in a supportive group environment.

Annette Gray Pilot Coaching Program:

https://www.flipsnack.com/ACB5ACA8B7A/annette-gray-nswppa-foundation-program

Direct Booking https://www.annettegray.com.au/offers/CnHMFKZX/checkout

Showcase Notes via Google docs:

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Breaking the Postcode Barrier: How Early Career Education Transforms Lives

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 05:00:00 +1100

From the moment children develop basic motor skills, they begin role-playing the futures they can imagine. But by upper primary school, these dreams often narrow dramatically - limited by postcodes, stereotypes, and what they see in their immediate environment. What if we could change this pattern?

Liv Penny, co-founder and CEO of Become Education, is transforming how we prepare young people for their futures. Her journey began with a profound observation: watching smart, happy classmates take dramatically different paths based solely on where they lived. This sparked a mission to ensure all children could write their stories "from the inside out" rather than having their futures determined by external circumstances.

The evidence is compelling. OECD research shows 50% of students globally aspire to just 10 occupations, with even narrower patterns at the local level. Meanwhile, 80% of 10-13 year olds think about their futures weekly, yet less than 10% say a teacher knows their aspirations. We're missing a massive opportunity to tap into natural motivation.

Become Education's approach doesn't prematurely force career decisions but instead develops the skills to explore broadly and design meaningful future pathways. Schools implementing the program report remarkable outcomes - from a 205% increase in students feeling their school cares about their future to transformative stories of previously disengaged students finding purpose and hope.

One particularly powerful story involves a disengaged student with dyslexia who discovered animation as her "happy place" through the program. With newfound purpose, she crafted a beautiful email to a Disney animator who responded with encouragement and professional advice. "She was transformed," her teachers reported through tears. "She never spoke and now she has transformed."

The impact extends beyond career readiness to improved engagement across all learning areas. As PISA data confirms, students who connect current learning to future possibilities show improvement in all learning strategies. In a world of AI and rapid change, this approach develops the uniquely human capabilities - curiosity, creativity, agency - that will remain valuable regardless of technological shifts.

Ready to help your students design futures full of possibility? Visit the Become Education website to learn how your school or cluster can implement this powerful, evidence-based approach.

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Service First, Leadership Always: Khalil Khay navigating educational Pathways and leadership stickyness

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 03:00:00 +1100

Khalil Khay. From classroom to executive to system advocate, Khalil’s story spans three decades of transformation in NSW public education. He’s currently Principal-in-Residence K–12 in the School Excellence Directorate, previously championed curriculum reform, steered the ConnectED conference for 17 years, and been named to the Educator Hot List in four of the last eight years running.

As we close Season 3 and our final episode for 2025, the NSWPPA Educational Leadership Podcast concludes with a reflective conversation on leadership, purpose and sustaining meaningful change.

In this episode, Drew Janetzki is joined by Khalil Khay, a highly respected NSW education leader whose career spans classroom teaching, principalship, system leadership and national advocacy.

Together, they explore leadership as service, the importance of equity and moral purpose, and the value of creating multiple pathways for success across public education. Khalil reflects on his long-standing involvement with the Connected Conference, including his role as Chair, and the impact of accessible, high-quality professional learning for principals and middle leaders across New South Wales.

The conversation is grounded in key system frameworks, including the NSW Public Education Plan and the NSW School Excellence Framework, and highlights the role of sustained professional learning through programs such as the Art of Leadership Program and the NSWPPA Professional Learning Suite.

This final episode brings Season 3 to a close by returning to a central theme that has underpinned the year. Leadership is not about position or authority, but about enabling others, aligning values and doing the right work for students, schools and communities.

NSW Primary Principals’ Association

https://www.nswppa.org.au

NSW Public Education Plan

https://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/education-plan

NSW School Excellence Framework

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/school-excellence-and-accountability/school-excellence

Art of Leadership Program

https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning/art-of-leadership

NSWPPA Professional Learning Suite

https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

Connected Conference

https://www.connectedconference.com.au

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

HALT Reimagined: How NSW Schools Are Recognising Excellence Through the HALT Talent Pipeline

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 05:00:00 +1100

HALT Reimagined: How NSW Schools Are Recognising Excellence Through the HALT Talent Pipeline

In this episode of Professional Learnings for Leaders in Education, host Drew Janetzki speaks with Krystal Bevin, Coordinator of the HALT Talent Pipeline at the NSW Department of Education. Together, they explore how the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation process has been completely redesigned, making recognition more accessible, achievable, and aligned to real classroom practice.

Krystal unpacks how the new HALT model removes barriers, reduces workload, and strengthens school culture by recognising teachers who demonstrate expert practice every day. She highlights the dramatic surge in applications across NSW, the role of the HALT Hub, and the practical ways principals can support and celebrate excellence in their staff.

This episode is essential listening for principals wanting to grow capability, lift professional identity, and embed a culture of instructional leadership in their school.

In This Episode:
• How the HALT accreditation process has changed
• What’s driving the surge in applications across NSW
• The role of the HALT Hub and statewide community of practice
• How principals can identify, support, and mentor potential HALTs
• How HALT aligns with the School Excellence Framework and school improvement
• Practical steps for getting started in 2025 and 2026. Links for Listeners:
HALT Accreditation (NESA):
https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/halt-accreditation

HALT Hub (NSW DoE):
https://edu.nsw.link/haltcop

Department of Education – HALT Information:
https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/human-resources/learning/highly-accomplished-and-lead-teachers

Email the HALT Team:
HALTaccreditation@det.nsw.edu.au

About our guest Krystal Bevin

Krystal Bevin is an experienced and strategic educational leader with 25 years in the NSW Department of Education, currently serving as the Coordinator of the HALT Talent Pipeline. In this statewide role she leads a framework of high-level support, advice, and contextualised resources for teachers and leaders working towards Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher accreditation. Her work focuses on strengthening teacher quality, system leadership, and professional learning in ways that are practical for schools to integrate and embed within existing processes and practices.

Krystal’s leadership spans a wide range of contexts, including remote Aboriginal communities, Central schools, and selective settings. As Principal of West Wallsend High School for the past five years, her focus on high expectations, strong support, and a deep sense of belonging has contributed to significant whole-school improvement. The school has received multiple state and national accolades, including the NSW Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative and recognition as one of The Educator’s Top 50 Innovative Schools.

Krystal is committed to ensuring that school leaders have access to relevant supports that work in real school settings. She is deeply committed to equitable access to professional learning and career-growth opportunities, and to celebrating and recognising the outstanding educators who shape the strength of our public schools.

Linked in Profile:

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Preparing the Child for the Road: Inside The Anxiety Project with Michael Hawton

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +1100

In this episode of the NSWPPA Professional Learnings: Leading with Data series, host Drew Janetzki reconnects with psychologist and author Michael Hawton, Director of Parentshop, to explore the evolution of The Anxiety Project.

Together they unpack how this whole-school initiative—now reaching more than 113 schools and 47,000 students—is transforming the way teachers, parents and children understand and respond to anxiety.

Michael explains why resilience is learned through challenge, not avoidance, and how small, consistent language shifts in classrooms are changing culture and confidence across school communities.

Featuring insights from the 2025 Student Wellbeing Seminar with Professor Patrick McGorry and Professor Terry Laidler, this episode shows why early intervention, collective practice and data-driven leadership are key to addressing Australia’s youth mental health crisis.

A child refuses school, melts down, and gets a day at home with a device—short-term relief, long-term cost. We unpack how that accommodation cycle takes hold and share a practical, lay-led alternative that’s helping schools replace avoidance with agency.

Psychologist and author Michael Hawton traces The Anxiety Project’s journey from a principal survey to a statewide culture shift built on shared language, quick scripts, and early intervention.

We explore CBT-informed tools teachers can use in real time—how to “strike while the iron is hot” when a student catastrophises, and how to “strike while the iron is cold” through short lessons on brains, bodies, and self-talk. You’ll hear why “my amygdala threw a grenade” has become a powerful classroom phrase, how consistent staff language boosts engagement, and why fewer unhelpful accommodations can actually grow resilience.

Michael connects the dots with Professor McGorry’s national findings on youth mental health, showing how unattended childhood anxiety can escalate in adolescence—and how schools can bend that curve without turning teachers into therapists.

We also map a clear implementation pathway: align leadership, appoint a hands-on coach, train staff, teach students, and involve parents in non-blaming, tool-focused sessions. Along the way, we discuss phones and social media as amplifiers rather than root causes, and highlight measurable reductions in anxiety when entire school teams commit to the work.

If you’re a principal, teacher or parent looking for a clear, practical model to help kids stay in the learning struggle—take a breath, grab the language, and start small.

If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a colleague, and let us know which strategy you’ll try first.

Learn more about The Anxiety Project and the research shaping this episode:

NSWPPA – The Anxiety Project:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project
Parentshop (Michael Hawton):
https://www.parentshop.com.au
Hilton Education Consulting (2023–2025):
Independent evaluation of The Anxiety Project outcomes in NSW schools
Australian Mental Health Commission (2024):
National Report Card 2024
PDF Link
Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (2024):
Almost three quarters of adolescents experience depression or anxiety
Read here
Be You – National Mental Health in Education Report (2024):

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Everyone Can Be a Leader : Muriel Summers, The Seven Habits, and Real School Turnaround

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 17:00:00 +1000

A single year to turn around a struggling school. A principal willing to listen, let go, and lead with courage. That’s the spark behind Muriel Summers’ journey at A.B. Combs Elementary: The birthplace of a movement that made student leadership the heartbeat of school culture and the Seven Habits a living language for kids, teachers, and families.

We sit down with Muriel to unpack how a community-defined vision—what should our ideal school look, sound, and feel like?—became a focused plan with just two or three goals executed with fidelity. She shares how borrowing from world‑class organisations like the Ritz‑Carlton inspired daily “huddles” that aligned teams, built trust, and celebrated small wins. You’ll hear the story of a custodian turned “leader of keeping the school clean and safe,” tracking five positive interactions a day with pocketed pennies—a simple system that proved culture is built in moments, not memos.

Across the hour, we explore why “everyone can lead, everyone has genius” isn’t a slogan but a design choice. Muriel explains the non‑negotiables—love children, know your why, collaborate generously—and how high expectations only work when matched with high support. We talk wellness as strategy, not lip service, and why empowering students to take on real work can shift 68% of daily tasks, reducing burnout while deepening belonging. The long‑term impact is clear: alumni credit the Seven Habits with landing jobs, navigating conflict, and choosing to stay and serve in their communities. As leadership shifts from command‑and‑control to trust and inspire, Muriel shows how to build systems that honour empathy, transparency, and shared ownership.

If this story nudges you to pick one habit, set two bold goals, and start a five‑minute huddle tomorrow, we’ve done our job. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a lift, and leave a review to help more school leaders find these ideas. Your support helps bring global voices in educational leadership to principals across Australia and beyond.

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Building Schools for Tomorrow: Future-Focused Leadership with Dr Jason McGrath

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:00:00 +1000

What if we reimagined education from the ground up? Dr Jason McGrath, recently returned from the OECD in Paris, takes us on a fascinating journey through global education systems that are planning decades ahead while others remain trapped in short-term thinking.

The conversation delves into how countries like Wales, Malta, and Finland are transforming education through long-term visioning—creating 20-year workforce strategies and "foresight sandpits" where stakeholders can test innovative ideas before implementation. These approaches allow educational leaders to make bold short-term decisions aligned with thoughtful long-term goals rather than implementing band-aid solutions that ultimately hinder progress.

At the heart of this transformation lies a radical rethinking of teacher professionalism. McGrath introduces the concept of "connective professionalism"—where professional identity forms through meaningful relationships with students and families rather than through isolated expertise. This shift challenges school leaders to view all decisions through the lens of "teachers as professionals," empowering staff to contribute their unique strengths. McGrath's powerful metaphor of "bamboo scaffolding" perfectly captures this approach—providing flexible, temporary support that can be removed once no longer needed, rather than building rigid structures that limit growth.

The most thought-provoking insight may be the simplest: creating space to collectively think about preferred futures. When educators move beyond immediate problems to imagine possibilities, transformative thinking emerges. For principals feeling overwhelmed by daily demands, McGrath offers practical starting points—from six-word future scenarios to exploring how different staff members might respond to potential changes.

This episode illuminates how bridging classroom innovation with system-wide policy creates "policy from the middle" rather than top-down approaches. Through examples like Ireland's "Beacons Model" and Estonia's approach to educational technology, McGrath demonstrates how teacher expertise can drive meaningful change when properly elevated and supported.

Ready to rethink what's possible in education? Subscribe now and join the conversation about creating schools that truly prepare students for tomorrow's world.

Links to Dr Jason Mcgraths work:

Dr Jason McGrath Google Scholar profile and publications, https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wbYO9v0AAAAJ&hl=en .

Links to educational and instructional leadership work

Dr Jason McGrath – Published works (Reseachgate.net) (home page)
Global Lessons, Systematic Connections, Schools' Support and Teachers' Work (OECD article)
OECD Education Working Papers No. 296 (OECD article)
What_If_Comp

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

"The Why" of the CLARITY Essentials with the CLS Team :The Clarity Essential Suite Makes Professional Learning Flexible, Accessible, and Impactful

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 14:00:00 +1000

The Clarity Learning Suite team introduces their newest initiative, the Clarity Essential Suite, designed to distill powerful professional learning into 12 flexible hours to support school improvement across New South Wales.

• Three core components: explicit leading, explicit teaching, and explicit learning
• Designed for 55-minute sessions, aligning with NSW Department of Education guidelines
• Complete flexibility for schools to implement according to their specific context and needs
• Based on Lynn Sharratt's research on the 14 parameters for school improvement
• Inclusive pricing model ensures all teaching staff can access the professional learning
• Supports schools to develop common language and consistent practice across classrooms
• Includes comprehensive resources, case studies and learning leader notes
• Directly supports implementation of the NSW School Excellence Framework
• Practical tools that can be implemented immediately following professional learning
• Designed to build leadership capacity while supporting teachers to meet all students' needs

To explore the Clarity Essential Suite and register your team,

Visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/clarity-learning-suite

and get started on your professional learning journey today.

Visit:

https://claritylearningsuite.com/clarity/drew-janetzki-nsw-ppa-discusses-the-essentials-suite-with-the-cls-team/

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Championing Public Education with Lila Malarczyk OAM

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +1000

What does true educational leadership look like when equity remains at its heart for over 40 years? Lila Malarczyk OAM offers a masterclass in purposeful leadership that transforms lives and systems.

Growing up in western Sydney from a low socioeconomic background, Lila experienced firsthand how education could open doors—and how prejudice could try to close them. A defining moment came when, as a 17-year-old scholarship student, she confronted blatant discrimination from a university administrator. Rather than letting this experience diminish her, it fortified her resolve to create more just educational environments.

As principal of Marylands High School, Lila revolutionised community engagement. She invited cultural groups into meaningful dialogue, resulting in astonishing transformations—most notably reducing suspensions of Māori students from 93% to zero within a single year. Her radical reimagining of staff development days—where parents became the teachers and students orchestrated professional learning—flipped traditional power dynamics and created authentic school partnerships.

The data tells a compelling story: significant increases in HSC achievement, university acceptance rates tripling, and 62% of those students becoming first-generation university learners. Behind these numbers were innovative approaches like employing former students as paraprofessionals, creating visible success pathways for current students to aspire toward.

Now directing her passion toward the Public Education Foundation, Lila helps provide scholarships that transform lives—like Michael, who despite discovering his mother after suicide at age 12, went on with scholarship support to become a teacher himself. The Foundation also recognises often-invisible school support staff and provides learning opportunities for educators through prestigious programs.

What remains constant throughout Lila's 43-year journey is her unwavering belief that "every interaction matters" and that leadership is fundamentally about responsibility, not power. For new principals, she offers this wisdom: "You are never alone," while insisting students must remain at the centre of every decision.

Want to support equitable opportunities in education? Explore the Public Education Foundation's work and consider how you might contribute to their life-changing initiatives for students and educators alike.

Links referenced:

New South Wales Primary Principals' Association: nswppa.org.au
Public Education Foundation: publiceducationfoundation.org.au
New South Wales Secondary Principals' Council: nswspc.org.au
NSW Department of Education: education.nsw.gov.au
New South Wales Teachers Federation: nswtf.org.au
FranklinCovey Leader in Me: franklincovey.com.au/solutions/education/
Harvard University: harvard.edu

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Tackling Student Anxiety: The Anxiety Project's Data-Driven Results

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:00:00 +1000

Anxiety levels among students are skyrocketing, dramatically affecting their ability to tackle challenges and participate fully in school life. Project Lead Rob Walker (Evans River K-12 School) and Trish Peters (Kincumber PS) member of the project leadership team join us to share remarkable findings from The Anxiety Project, a groundbreaking initiative now implemented in 129 schools across Australia, reaching nearly 47,000 students.

The project emerged from a critical observation: despite well-intentioned efforts, the accommodations schools were making for anxious students weren't actually building resilience. "We're providing so many accommodations that we haven't set kids up for success in secondary school," Trish explains, highlighting how primary schools were unintentionally creating dependency rather than capability. The solution? A comprehensive, whole-community approach that empowers adults to stand beside children through challenges rather than solving problems for them.

What makes this project uniquely effective is its layered implementation model involving every stakeholder – school leaders, teachers, non-teaching staff, parents and students all receive specifically designed training and support over a two-year period. This creates consistent messaging and a common language around anxiety. The results are compelling, with data showing significant, measurable reductions in student anxiety over time. One school reduced its anxiety score from 19.78 to 10.53 within just 12 months. Perhaps most surprising is the profound impact on teacher wellbeing, with educators reporting renewed satisfaction in their profession as they witness tangible improvements in student resilience.

Interested in transforming your school's approach to anxiety? Visit the NSW PPA website to learn more about the project and access expression of interest forms. Mid-year intake closes 16 June 2025. As project leaders envision, the ultimate goal is nothing short of "a less anxious generation" – an outcome that benefits not just education, but society as a whole.

Links to the Anxiety Project:

https://www.nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

NSW Department of Education Sports Unit: Part 4 of 4 : Breaking Down the School Sports Unit: Policy, Protection, and Practical Solutions

Fri, 30 May 2025 05:00:00 +1000

Navigating school sports policy doesn't have to be overwhelming. The final episode of our four-part series with the NSW Department of Education School Sports Unit reveals the practical solutions and expert guidance available to school leaders across the state.

Meet Lucette King, a Sport Policy Advisor with an impressive 30-year tenure in the School Sports Unit. Her extensive experience has positioned her as a crucial resource for principals seeking to untangle complex policy requirements while still providing meaningful sporting opportunities for students. King specializes in finding workable solutions in the grey areas between rigid policies and practical implementation, ensuring safety without stifling student experiences.

The episode tackles several critical areas including unstructured swimming guidelines (which King candidly describes as "deliberately cumbersome" to ensure student safety following past tragedies), updated concussion protocols that remove medical judgment burdens from educators, and perhaps most significantly, a revolutionary new permission system for school sports activities.

This streamlined permission approach represents a breakthrough for schools. Working with legal services, the Sports Unit has established that sports delivered by teachers on school grounds or within the local community can now be treated as "business as usual" – dramatically reducing paperwork and administrative burdens. This solution emerged directly from principal feedback, demonstrating how the unit transforms challenges into practical improvements.

Dr. Sylvia Corish, Executive Director of Student Support and Specialist Programs, provides valuable perspective on the broader impact of the School Sports Unit. She highlights how sports serve as a powerful engagement tool, noting that for many students, "sport is the one thing that keeps them there and gets them to school." This understanding drives the unit's commitment to developing inclusive programs that cater to schools of all sizes and contexts.

Both experts emphasize that the Sports Unit thrives on direct engagement with principals. Whether you're leading a remote school with five students or an urban campus with thousands, their team stands ready with solutions tailored to your unique circumstances. Reach out through their website, email, or phone – no question is too small, and your challenges today might inspire system-wide improvements tomorrow.

Link to NSW School Sports Unit:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/school-sport

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

NSW Department of Education Sports Unit: Part 3 of 4: The Brain-Sport Connection: How Physical Activity Boosts Learning

Fri, 30 May 2025 04:00:00 +1000

The connection between physical activity and brain development isn't just anecdotal—it's backed by compelling scientific research that should revolutionize how we think about sport in schools. When students exercise, their brains produce more BDNF enzyme, which supports memory formation, reduces anxiety, and significantly enhances learning capacity. One study showed students who participated in high-intensity fitness before tutoring improved their test scores by over 20%, compared to just 3.87% improvement in students who received tutoring alone.

James Boyer from the NSW School Sports Unit explains that timing matters: "If we do physical activity just before we want to learn something new, it really gets kids ready to learn." This challenges the false dichotomy between academic time and physical activity time, suggesting instead that movement creates optimal conditions for learning.

Meanwhile, the School Swimming and Water Safety Program celebrates 70 years of providing vital skills to 100,000 students annually across 1,400 NSW schools. Beyond safety, these programs deliver profound wellbeing benefits, particularly for students from diverse backgrounds who gain confidence and connection through participation.

Perhaps most moving are the stories of inclusion through the multi-class sports pathway. Peter Cardy shares how a student named Sophie transformed from hiding her limb difference to becoming confident and outgoing through participating in classified sport competitions. Last year saw record participation with 192 multi-class athletes at state championships.

For school leaders, the Sport and Physical Activity School Health Check provides a framework to assess and improve school programs based on five key areas: policy, quality sport, physical activity throughout the day, community engagement, and staff involvement. This isn't about ticking boxes—it's about creating comprehensive wellbeing strategies with direct academic benefits.

Want to transform student wellbeing and learning outcomes? Contact the NSW School Sports Unit for tailored support and access their extensive resources through the teacher hub.

Link to NSW School Sports Unit:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/school-sport

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

NSW Department of Education Sports Unit: Part 2 of 4: Movement, Learning, and Inclusion: The School Sports Unit's Mission

Fri, 30 May 2025 03:00:00 +1000

Physical activity isn't just about fitness—it's a powerful tool for learning, inclusion, and creating positive school environments. This compelling episode takes listeners behind the scenes with the NSW Department of Education Sports Unit, revealing innovative approaches that benefit every student.

Anthony Moyes opens with a passionate explanation of how the Sports Unit supports students with disabilities through four key programs. Despite one in five students having some form of disability, many schools mistakenly believe they don't have eligible participants. Moyes shares how over 500 schools now participate in boccia and ten pin bowling competitions, benefiting thousands of students across NSW. His team travels extensively throughout the state, bringing participation opportunities directly to regional areas and creating pathways for students who might otherwise miss out.

The conversation shifts when Michael Kirwan explains the science-backed approach to meeting the mandated 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. Rather than viewing this as yet another curriculum requirement, Kirwan reveals how schools can seamlessly integrate movement throughout the day. The unit's hugely popular "10 at 10" energizer sessions and "Thinking While Moving" resources have transformed classrooms across the state, with research confirming that physical activity—especially early in the day—dramatically improves student engagement, behavior, and learning outcomes.

What stands out is the practical, barrier-reducing approach both specialists advocate. From comprehensive online resources to face-to-face professional learning, the Sports Unit has created systems that make quality physical activity accessible for every teacher, regardless of their sporting background. The upcoming Sport and Physical Activity School Health Check (version 3) promises to further strengthen this work, with special attention to high potential students while maintaining core inclusivity principles.

Don't miss the next episodes featuring James Boyer on the fascinating brain research behind physical activity and Peter Carty's inspiring story of inclusion through sport. Subscribe now to continue this journey through the transformative power of school sport and physical activity.

Link to NSW School Sports Unit:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/school-sport

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

NSW Department of Education Sports Unit: Part 1 of 4: The Hidden Educational Powerhouse: Physical Activity in School Leadership

Fri, 30 May 2025 02:00:00 +1000

The vital connection between educational leadership and physical activity takes center stage in this compelling conversation with the NSW Department of Education's School Sports Unit. As school leaders navigate competing priorities, understanding the wealth of support available through structured sporting pathways becomes essential for student wellbeing and academic success.

Andrew Hooper, who bridges the Primary Principals Association and Primary School Sports Association, reveals how these organisations collaborate to deliver Australia's longest-running gifted and talented program. With over 125 years of history, the PSSA offers critical support for principals implementing effective sport programs, from legal guidance to skills development and event management. The conversation highlights how engagement with local PSSA representatives and subscription to the Sports Unit newsletter can transform a school's approach to physical activity.

Peter Banks then unpacks the six arms of the School Sports Unit: representative pathways, disability inclusion, teaching resources, swimming programs, Premier's Sporting Challenge, and policy guidelines. The spotlight falls on the School Physical Activity Health Check—a powerful tool already used by 350+ schools to baseline their programs against research-backed standards and develop improvement plans aligned with school excellence frameworks.

The discussion clarifies common misconceptions, particularly the important distinction between representative pathways and local participation opportunities. Banks emphasises that principals are ultimately responsible for local sporting arrangements and should actively engage in governance structures to ensure alignment with school values and priorities.

Looking ahead to 2025, the Unit's commitment to live streaming 32 state sporting events demonstrates their dedication to equity, particularly for rural and remote communities who can now celebrate student achievements regardless of location.

Ready to enhance your school's approach to physical activity? Subscribe to the School Sports Unit newsletter, explore the professional learning options in the Teacher Resource Hub, and consider how strategic engagement with structured sporting pathways can build both student wellbeing and staff leadership capacity.

Link to NSW School Sports Unit:

https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/school-sport

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

The Tao of Teams: Building Trust and Synergy in School Leadership

Thu, 29 May 2025 05:00:00 +1000

What happens when you gather a group of educators in a room and call them a "team"? Usually, not much. Despite our best intentions, many school leadership teams waste countless hours in meetings without achieving their potential impact - because simply assigning people to work together doesn't make them a team.

Rob Stones, with over 35 years of educational leadership experience including 22 years as a principal, shares his transformative approach to building genuine teams in schools through "The Tao of Teams." Drawing from extensive research and practical application, he reveals how vulnerability-based trust forms the foundation for teams that can tackle complex educational challenges with remarkable effectiveness.

The conversation unpacks four essential steps to team formation that transcend superficial team-building exercises. Beginning with establishing trust, Rob explains how teams must learn to navigate conflict productively before developing commitment and accountability. His practical activities - like using quote discussions to reveal thinking patterns and "compass point" exercises to understand conflict styles - provide immediate tools for school leaders to implement.

Most compelling is Rob's explanation of the "law of requisite variety" - why a diverse team inherently possesses greater problem-solving capacity than even the most capable individual leader. Through consensus decision-making techniques like "five-finger voting," he demonstrates how to harness this collective intelligence while ensuring everyone has a genuine stake in outcomes.

Whether you're struggling with a dysfunctional leadership team or simply want to elevate your already solid team to new heights, this episode offers concrete strategies you can implement immediately. Ready to transform your school's leadership approach? Listen now and discover how investing in true team development can dramatically improve your school's effectiveness and student outcomes.

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

To view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue