When I signed my first contract with the board of Moreton Bay College at the age of 37, I had no idea how much of my time as a principal would be devoted to my own leadership. I knew that ...
More »School principals concerned as teen vaping rate doubles in one year
The number of teenagers using e-cigarettes has doubled in just a year, an ‘unsurprisingly’ rapid growth the NSW Secondary School Principals’ Council said. Recent data from the NSW Population Health Survey found that 11.1% of 16 to 24-year-olds are regular ...
More »Some first-hand thoughts on educational leadership in 2020: Opinion
I can only imagine the number of times that visionaries and leaders in organisations were intending to take “2020” as a significant play on words as vision was cast and strategic plans were unrolled. Because, let’s face it, every leader ...
More »The challenges of being a school principal during COVID-19: Part 1
EducationReview · Being a school principal during COVID-19 - Podcast They are the leaders of the school – the individuals who are ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of everyone in their school communities. And while the majority of school principals ...
More »Australian principals optimistic despite the demands
It’s perhaps never been harder to be a school principal, or assistant or deputy principal. In an age of high-stakes tests, crowded curricula, increased resourcing demands and seemingly unending administrative requirements, principals across the country are feeling the pinch. In ...
More »Principals’ academy on the cards under Labor
A national academy to provide specialist leadership training for school principals will be set up if Labor wins the next federal election. A recent review found high performing school leaders add between two and seven months' worth of growth in ...
More »Mental health in schools: the new #MeToo?
"Like #MeToo, we need a hashtag," Lynne Symons declared. The former principal of the largest school in South Australia – now an educational leadership consultant – was referring to the need for greater awareness of the mental health crisis among Australian principals, ...
More »Principal profile: Dr Paul Rijken
After falling into teaching when his original career plans stalled, this Adelaide principal set out to make his mark in education. A dynamic, visionary and authentic Catholic school leader who is passionate about leading contemporary educational change, informed by research, ...
More »Building on experience: laying the groundwork for staff and student success
West Australian Liz Smith is a 21st century educator who very much has the future in mind – for both staff and students – when leading her school’s teaching and learning. She began her teaching career on the cusp of ...
More »Leadership workshops for principals
School principals' leadership was in the spotlight in Brisbane during a two-day workshop for Independent Schools Queensland principals and other senior school leaders. Effective leadership by school principals plays an important role in improving student outcomes, says international leadership expert Dr Jane ...
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