EdLeaders Australia

In this episode of the 'Ed Leaders' podcast, join Luke Callier and Mathew Irving as they explore the world of educational leadership with special guest Darren Cox, Principal at Marsden Park Anglican College. 

Discover the transformative journey from teacher to principal as Darren shares invaluable insights on fostering a thriving school culture through community, authenticity, and proactive engagement. From tackling challenges like staff shortages to envisioning a dynamic learning environment for the future, Darren offers profound insights into fostering a thriving school culture. 

Plus, learn about Darren's forward-thinking approach to addressing education's evolving needs, advocating for well-being initiatives, and fostering meaningful community engagement. Concluding with rapid-fire insights, Darren highlights the importance of impactful professional development and the necessity for educational rules to adapt.

Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion! Tune in now!

Highlights:

• (02:47) Darren's journey in education is inspired by the movie "To Sir, with Love."

• (05:43) Reflection on the journey from teacher to leader and the importance of authenticity.

• (08:38) Learning from both positive and negative role models in leadership.

• (11:21) Reflections on learnings from working outside of schools within the education system.

• (13:40)Challenges and considerations in scaling successful programs or initiatives across multiple schools.

• (14:40) Darren's motivation for returning to a school leadership role and founding Marsden Park Anglican College.

• (17:08)Evolution of understanding fit and advice for younger leaders on discerning their fit.

• (19:34) Importance of personal development and self-awareness for leaders to address character tendencies.

• (21:12) The importance of assembling a strong team using sports analogies.

• (22:30) Hiring based on complementary strengths rather than finding someone exactly like oneself.

• (26:23) Creating a joyful and permission-giving culture in the workplace.

• (29:58) The sources of personal leadership inspiration and the importance of challenging the status quo.

• (40:33) Darren discusses creativity in budgeting and the time spent on business management.

• (42:17) Importance of creating a strong profile for recruiting staff in challenging environments.

• (49:53) Aspirations for Marsden Park School in the next five years, focusing on community and values.

• (51:10) Speculations on the future of schooling, including changes in hours and delivery methods.

Quote:

"Schools offer a deep sense of community. Relationships matter, and fostering strong connections with students, staff, and parents is at the heart of education." -Darren

"Leadership isn't just about doing everything everywhere. It's about understanding your strengths, values, and purpose to make decisions that truly align with who you are." -Darren

Links:

In this episode of the ‘Ed Leaders’ podcast, Luke Callier and Mathew Irving are joined by Dr. Adam Fraser, the founder of The Flourish Movement, who touches upon potential future shifts in education, exploring mixed models that integrate remote learning and AI assistance. Discover the significance of fostering joy through personal interests, embracing open feedback cultures, and addressing challenges educators face in prioritizing their well-being. Dr. Fraser also sheds light on the pivotal role of self-awareness, humility, and the importance of small daily actions in shaping positive workplace cultures. Delve into the practical strategies, including organizational alignment with values, the influence of office staff/administrators, and the value of hands-on learning experiences.

Special thanks to our partners:

Welcome to the ‘Ed Leaders’ podcast, where Luke Callier and Mathew Irving sit down with Tim Watson, the principal at Northern Beaches Christian School, who has a remarkable journey in education and leadership. Tim shares invaluable wisdom on the delicate balance of maintaining a passion for teaching while taking on leadership roles.

Tim dives into the creation of a supportive climate for teachers, emphasizing the pillars of purpose, values, effort, learning, character development, relationships, and opportunities within schools. The importance of authentic feedback and open communication between school leaders and staff members takes center stage in this discussion. Tim also highlights the necessity of setting boundaries and pushing against them to foster growth within the educational ecosystem.

Tim sheds light on the role of schools in contributing significantly to students' well-being and discusses future trends in education. Rather than predicting specific changes, he suggests focusing on what won't change in the next decade or two.

Ready to learn more? Tune in now!

Highlights:

• (01:37) Journey into education.

• (03:14) Key strength of organization in leadership.

• (05:19) Vision for Northern Beaches Christian School.

• (09:31) Nuance of deciding when to consult versus making a decision.

• (10:54) Example of a situation without a fixed opinion.

• (14:03) Discussion about being an extrovert in a leadership role.

• (15:22) Complex situation involving managing students during the Icelandic volcano incident.

• (17:40) Complexities related to court orders, family dynamics, and managing relationships in schools.

• (18:23) Providing feedback in situations where personal and professional connections overlap.

• (19:16) Description of the school community and its informal yet purposeful atmosphere.

• (21:09) Supporting staff and creating a positive culture in schools.

• (27:24) Introduction of PeopleBench for workforce benchmarking in schools.

• (28:53) Discussion on the role of parents in character development and finding the right fit for leadership roles.

• (33:47) School's vision of equipping students for an uncertain future through a love of learning.

• (39:06) Challenges of students to face the transition from student agency to a structured work environment.

• (42:49) "Six in 60 Seconds" segment covering underrated or overrated educational narratives, roles in schools, changing rules in education, a recommended book, and potential podcast interviewees.

You can also connect with us personally at LinkedIn:

In this episode we chatted with Anthony Micallef, Headmaster of Brisbane Grammar School about his journey in education.

Special thanks to our partners Peoplebench for sponsoring this episode of the podcast, they help take the guesswork out of school workforce strategy & decision-making. Check them out at peoplebench.com.au.

In this episode we chatted with John Buchanan, former coach of the Australian Cricket Team and now author and speaker.

Special thanks to our partners Peoplebench for sponsoring this episode of the podcast, they help take the guesswork out of school workforce strategy & decision-making. Check them out at peoplebench.com.au.

In this episode we chat with Sharaf Goussous, about all things related to the online experience for students.

In this episode we chat with David Runge, Director and Co-Founder of Future Schools. As you might expect, we talk about the Future of Schools, how we can think about systemic change, adaptive cultures to allow innovation to happen and much much more.

In this episode, we chat with Fleur Johnston, CEO & Founder of PeopleBench.

As mentioned in the show:

In this episode we chat with Prof. Yong Zhao.

In this episode, we chat with Dr Sandra Milligan, Lead of the New Metrics program at Melbourne Assessment, the new organising taking the leap out of the University of Melbourne. Dr Sandra is one of the headline speakers Edutech 2023 conference, and this episode is part of a 5 episode partnership to promote the conference and to give our listeners a deeper context to some of the headline speakers at the event.

In this episode, we chat with Leon Furze, Consultant and Author. Leon is one of the headline speakers Edutech 2023 conference, and this episode is part of a 5 episode partnership to promote the conference and to give our listeners a deeper context to some of the headline speakers at the event.

In this episode, we chat with Gary Stager, Founder of the Constructing Modern Knowledge Summer Institute for educators, he is an author contributing to over 20 books, has worked in over 30 countries, and in addition to consulting to many of the state education departments around Australia, he has also worked with some of the worlds biggest brands including Apple and Lego. He is a pioneer in the computing and maker movement education. Dr Gary is one of the headline speakers Edutech 2023 conference, and this episode is part of a 5 episode partnership to promote the conference and to give our listeners a deeper context to some of the headline speakers at the event.

In this episode, we chat with Sarah Warby, Head of Professional Growth at Hills Grammar. Sarah is one of the keynote speakers at Edutech 2023 and this episode will give you some background to her keynote!

In this episode we chat with Founder Saku Tuominen about the purpose of HundrED - whose goal is to share the innovative work happening in Education around the world. Saku is one on the keynote speakers at Edutech 2023 and this episode will give you some background to his keynote!

In this episode, Luke and Mat are answering the questions!!!

Yes we were on the other side of the microphone, as Schoolbox Head of Education and Innovation - Duane Cox interviewed the boys about all things Change Management in Schools.

In this episode, we chat with Grant van der Kruk, CEO of Schoolbox.

This episode was proudly brought to you by Veracross, the globally leading Student Information System Provider - who is now in Australia. Checkout veracross.com/edleaders. Edleaders is available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below. #leadership #education #schooleaders #edtech #innovation As always if you have questions, feedback, or a suggestion from a leader you'd like to hear from - send us a message!

Please remember if you have a spare minute, please leave us a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast player which will help us be discovered by more like-minded school leaders. 

You can also connect with us personally at LinkedIn: 

Edleaders is available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below. #leadership #education #schooleaders #edtech #innovation As always if you have questions, feedback, or a suggestion from a leader you'd like to hear from - send us a message!

Please remember if you have a spare minute, please leave us a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast player which will help us be discovered by more like-minded school leaders. 

You can also connect with us personally at LinkedIn: 

School leaders play a pivotal role in affecting the climate, attitude, and reputation of their schools. They are the cornerstone on which learning communities function and grow. With successful school leadership, schools become effective incubators of learning, places where students are not only educated but challenged, nurtured, and encouraged.

In this episode, we bring back a previous awesome guest, Rob French, the Principal at Kilvington Grammar School in Melbourne. Kilvington is a K-12, co-ed independent school. Rob has been the principal at Kilvington for over a year now and we’re going to dive into what it’s been like for him.

Rob will touch on topics such as:

• Enjoying end-of-year community events and other positive things despite having to navigate a hectic end-of-year term 4, staff attrition, and a data breach.
• End of a school year: The culmination of everything teachers strive for.
• Challenges he went through in his first year as a principal and how he overcame them.
• Does the principal school prepare people for data breaches in schools?
• Putting together an effective school management structure.
• Experiences and learning from the Covid pandemic.
• Dealing with the stress that comes with being a principal versus in other mid-management level roles.
• The 2023 strategic plan for Kilvington Grammar School.
• The value of working with a great and supportive school board.
• 3Cs - Decision-making tips for school leaders.
• More exercising, quality time with family, catching up with friends, teaching a class, and more work/life balance.
• How to thrive as a new principal.

One of the highlights of the episode will be Rob’s vulnerability regarding his engagement in self-care practices that have enabled him to be a great school leader, the importance of being a collaborative principal who leverages the strengths and views of their team to achieve school goals, and so much more. Stay tuned for more and enjoy!

This episode was recorded live at the Innovation in Education Festival Perth in November 2022. 

In this episode, we chat with return guest Rocky Collins, Principal at SEDA College, and Graeme Dix, Former Manager at BCG Construction in Perth. 

This episode was all about creating an authentic and meaningful relationship between a school and an industry partner, we ask:

• Why is it important to build strong partnerships between schools and industry?
• The journey they went on from planting the seed, overcoming obstacles, and preparing to launch this new partnership with BCG?
• What sort of experiences do you hope students will have as part of the program?
• What resources has it required from each partner?
• The time spent on this?
• The talent pipeline or the performance of new graduates, what do believe schools need to spend some more time on?
• The future of the program, what will it look like if you could see 10 years into the distance?

Needless to say, this was a wide-ranging chat about education, leadership, construction, trade training and much much more. We hope you enjoy this chat with Rocky and Graeme.

You can connect with Rocky on LinkedIn. 

In this episode, we chat with Kirsten Ferdinands  - the Executive Principal, Brisbane South State Secondary College

You can connect with Edleaders at Edleaders.com.au or find us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we chat with the energetic and amazing force in education - Gavin McCormack. Gavin was the Principal at Farmhouse Montesorri School until recently, when he left the confines of his school to take his enthusiasm worldwide and co-founded UpSchool. He's also helped build multiple schools in Nepal, and is now a Montessori Australia Ambassador, as well as co-founder of multiple other businesses and a best selling author. He was the Educator's Most Influential Educator 2022, he's a TEDX Speaker and was also one of Australias's LinkedIn Top Voice 2019/20/22. Needless to say this was a wide ranging chat chat about education, leadership, Montesorri and much much more. We hope you enjoy this chat with Gavin.

You can connect with Gavin through his personal website, Upschool.co or LinkedIn. 

In this episode, we chat with Duncan Anderson - the cofounder and co-ceo of Edrolo. We cover including:

• The highs and lows of running an Edtech startup
• The unique challenges of being a co-CEO
• The challenges of raising $40million dollars in capital for the business and what lays ahead for how to spend it.
• Embracing the now of doing the curriculum better, rather than trying to change the curriculum
• How his leadership is evolving as the company grows.

And of course much much more. We hope you enjoy this chat with Duncan.

You can connect with Edleaders at Edleaders.com.au or find us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we chat with Neesha Flint, Principal of Geraldton Grammar School. We cover the many challenges of being a principal, including:

• The unique challenges of leading a regional school
• The emotional toll of school leadership
• the differences in how you can lead in a 25-year-old school in comparison to a 100-year-old school 
• How Neesha thinks about vision and strategy in a school context

And of course much much more. We hope you enjoy this chat with Neesha.

You can connect with Edleaders at Edleaders.com.au or find us on LinkedIn.

In this episode we chat with Louka Parry - CEO of the Learning Future. We cover:

• How school leaders can think about the future with a futurist mindset
• Redesigning the system - what should we be aware of
• Attending SXSW and other modern schools in the USA, and what he learned on the journey. 

And of course much much more. We hope you enjoy this chat with Louka.

You can find Louka at https://www.loukaparry.com/ and The Learning Future and you can connect with Edleaders at Edleaders.com.au or find us on LinkedIn.

In this episode, we chat with Liam King, an Associate Partner at Fisher Leadership Executive Search. Liam brings a wealth of school leadership experience to his recruitment role, formerly holding roles as Deputy Principal and Principal in both Australia and Asia.  We hope you enjoy this chat with Liam. 

In this episode, we chat with Tracey Ezard, former Assistant Principal who over the last 17 years has built her own consultancy in school leadership and culture, publishing 3 books in the process including her most recent book - Ferocious Warmth, and no doubt has become one of Australia’s leading educational consultants. 

We hope you enjoy this chat with Tracey.

To connect with Tracey - find her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyezard/

EdLeaders is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below.

He's back, in this episode, we chat with Rob French. In part I, Rob shared his journey into Principalship, the background, the application and interview process, his process to get ready for the new role, and what he hopes to achieve in his first year in the role.... Well this time we discussed his first hundred days in the job - the ups, downs and everything in between. We hope you enjoy!

To connect with Rob - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-french-74b0bb59

In this episode, we chat with the Head of Middle School at Camberwell Grammar School in Victoria about all things Middle Schooling. 

What is a middle school and what does it do differently from a primary school and senior school, shaping the overall experience of a middle schooler as a leader, how much time is spent on the operational requirements of the school, and what this leaves for teaching, projects, and innovations, whats unique challenges middle school leadership role brings and the challenge of recruitment.

We hope you enjoy this chat with Troy.

To connect with Troy - find him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-stanley-3386388b/

EdLeaders is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below.

In this episode, we chat with Michael Ha, Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Element Learning and Element College 

In this insightful conversation, we cover what parents and students are looking for in a modern holistic experience, low-tech and high-tech solutions in schools and how these fit with creating young people of character, the siloed nature of schools, the seeming movement towards niche styles of education and the school Michael is looking to create in Noosa, Queensland.

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Michael.

This is episode is part 2 of a 2 part interview with Peter Hutton, Co-founder of Future Schools.

In this insightful conversation, we hear about Peter's desire and vision to create a system of schools starting with the Global Village School. Small Communities of 100, of 3-year level groupings, to support young people create their own learning communities to positively impact the world. How a fully funded independent school could operate in a no fee-paying environment and how parents might perceive that. And how edcuators who have a burning desire to start their own school - may want to consider collaborating with the Global Village School.

To connect with Peter - you'll find him on Linkedin at @peterhutton.

EdLeaders is hosted by Luke Callier and Mathew Irving and is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below.

This is episode is part 1 of a 2 part interview with Peter Hutton, Co-founder of Future Schools.

In this insightful conversation, we hear about Peter's journey from his experiences in schools as a student, why he took the leap out of school leadership to create the Future Schools Alliance, The Future Schools Journey, how the system has changed or not changed in the last 10 years and his innovative approach to university entry processes. 

To connect with Peter - you'll find him on Linked in at @peterhutton.

EdLeaders is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below.

In this episode, we chat with Annabel Astbury, Head of Education at the ABC. 

In this insightful conversation, we hear about Anna's journey from passionate history teacher to her current role at the ABC, the pioneering nature of ABC's role in digital learning and digital literacy, the role of the ABC in the national education landscape and how the ABC thinks about educating 1 to thousands vs 1 to 30 in a classroom setting and the ABC's role in the future of education in Australia, plus much much more. We also make her choose amongst her children to give her opinion on the top 5 ABC educational programs ever... We hope you enjoy the conversation with Annabel.

To connect with Annabel - you'll find her on Twitter at @annabelastbury

EdLeaders is available on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts or on the link below.

In this episode, we chat with Mark McCrindle, Founder and Principal of McCrindle.

In this insightful conversation, we talk about Generation Alpha and the growing gaps between the GenX & Y teachers in our schools, the future of education and the social trends that will affect it, strategic planning and what schools should be thinking about in the long term, how parents demands on schools are changing and what might evolve out of the disconnected sectors of education in Australia. 

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Mark.

In this episode, we chat with Fiona Johnston, Principal of St Hilda's Anglican School for Girls in Perth. 

In this insightful conversation, we cover the benefits of an overseas experience in your leadership journey and in particular Fiona's own experience at the Australian International School in Singapore, the diverse nature of the principal's role including the "dark arts" of managing a school board, the notion of disrupt or be disrupted, the fusion of work and home life in leadership roles and Fiona's advice regarding finding a career sponsor. We even create a new word for the oxford dictionary - "durky"!

We hope you enjoy the conversation with Fiona.

In this episode, we chat with Rob French. Rob is the new Principal at Kilvington Grammar School and former Deputy Head of Camberwell Grammar School. In this episode, we cover his journey into Principalship, the background, the application and interview process, his process to get ready for the new role, and what he hopes to achieve in his first year in the role.... We hope you enjoy!

To connect with Rob - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-french-74b0bb59