Edtalk Australia

Join Mat and Deb as they explore their Principalships in a broad ranging and candid conversation about leadership, transitions, finding professional nourishment and sustaining wellbeing. Want to know more? - EdLeaders Australia podcast https://www.edleaders.com.au/podcast Join the conversation: - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram

A great conversation with Rev Chris Ivey as he enters his third principalship,.We chat about whats different this time around, as well as what the experience as the Chair of AHISA brought to his day to day role.

In this episode we chat with Stuart Robinson from Morningtide Consulting about all things strategy.

A great chat about the importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership and how we go about instilling emotional intelligence in young people.

A cracking chat with Grant Grosser, Co Founder of SEQTA.

A great chat with Rev Andrew Syme about his leadership journey and life after the Principalship and what that meant for him.

A great chat with Shane Smith, CoFounder of Education Perfect. Shane takes us on his journey to creating an International software powerhouse.

A classic chat with Nick Johnstone on regional leadership and how his sabbatical led to a significant change in his path.

Mat Irving and Luke Callier review the year that was 2024 - Mat's first as Principal at Great Southern Grammar in Albany and Luke's mid year shift to the Director of Business Operations at St Hilda's in Perth. This Episode was brought to you by PrincipalsHQ - checkout PrincipalsHQ.com.au for more details and to sign up to the waitlist.

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Mathew Irving sit down with Matt Estermann, the dynamic Director of Innovation and Partnership at Our Lady of Mercy College. With a career that spans a love for ideas, tech-savvy solutions, and a healthy dose of "let's try this and see if it works," Matt unpacks what it really means to innovate in the education sector. From his early days as a history teacher to becoming a leader in school innovation, Matt shares the power of storytelling and compelling reasons in overcoming resistance to change. He dives into the transformative role of AI in education, exploring how it can act as a personal assistant to educators and students while highlighting the need for thoughtful implementation. Matt touches on the evolving responsibilities of school leaders, the value of postgraduate studies, and practical insights from his co-authored book on AI and education. Together, they explore the future of education, curriculum innovation, and the importance of build

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Mathew Irving sit down with Stephen Holmes, founder of The 5Rs Partnership, a global strategy consultancy for schools and universities. Stephen brings his wealth of experience—from navigating the quirks of school leadership to redefining reputation management in education. They discuss why schools need to stop being "vanilla," the secret sauce behind building reputation, and how facilities alone won't win the hearts of discerning parents. Stephen offers practical insights into strategic planning, aligning school culture with long-term goals, and managing the ever-evolving expectations of today’s "investor-like" parents. Tune in for a no-nonsense conversation packed with real-world advice and a side of wit that will leave school leaders thinking differently about their approach to reputation and strategy. Highlights: The three pillars schools must manage to shape perceptions. Why schools must define themselves to attract the right families.

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Mathew Irving are joined by Chris Duncan, CEO of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA). Chris shares his extensive experience in education leadership, including his pivotal role in transitioning Pulteney Grammar to co-education and serving as principal at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School for a decade.   They discuss the evolving challenges of school leadership, including managing governance, risk, and community expectations. Chris emphasizes the importance of values-based education, effective change management, and building strong board relationships. He also highlights the growing need for ethical leadership, neuroscience-informed teaching practices, and fostering civility within school communities.   Listen now for actionable insights into effective school leadership, and visit AHISA’s website or connect with the Ed Leaders team on LinkedIn for updates and resources. Highlights: Chris Duncan’s career journey, i

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Mathew Irving sit down with Lorna Beegan, the first-year principal at Strathcona Girls Grammar School, to dive into her transformative journey in K-12 education leadership. Lorna shares her extensive experience, from her early passion for teaching in Perth to leadership roles at St. Hilda’s and Perth College, culminating in her current role at Strathcona. Together, they discuss the power of authenticity, the challenges and rewards of all-girls education, and the need for innovative learning environments. Listeners will gain insights into how Lorna fosters a high-performing, empathetic culture at Strathcona, her commitment to personalized learning, and the unique benefits of a "Goldilocks-sized" school. Lorna also shares her vision for the future of education, emphasizing collaboration between schools, universities, and businesses and the potential for school structures to evolve with students' needs. They wrap up with rapid-fire questions on career i

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, hosts Luke Callier and Mathew Irveng sit down with Matt Pitman, the senior program lead at Global Village Learning and author of The Connection Curriculum, to explore the importance of building strong community ties and fostering relationships in education. Matt shares his journey from teacher to leader, discusses his work with Global Village Learning, and offers actionable strategies for increasing student engagement and ownership in learning. They dive into the challenges of the current education system, critiquing passive participation and emphasizing the need for shared decision-making among all school stakeholders. The conversation touches on ways to transform school leadership, with Matt advocating for breaking down silos and flipping traditional leadership models to create more inclusive environments. The episode wraps up with rapid-fire questions, offering insights on educational narratives and resources for professional development. Tune in for an engaging

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier sits down with Dr. Kristy Goodwin, a leading expert in digital well-being and productivity. Together, they explore the profound effects of technology on the brains, stress levels, and overall well-being of both children and adults. Dr. Goodwin shares her journey from teaching to researching the impact of digital habits on mental health, highlighting how unmanaged technology use can lead to burnout and stress, particularly in educational settings. Dr. Goodwin advocates for intentional and healthy digital practices at individual and institutional levels, emphasizing the need for clear "digital guardrails" to create sustainable work environments, especially in schools. She introduces the concept of "microhabits" for optimizing human performance and discusses three key pillars of well-being: reframing rest, understanding brain rhythms, and cultivating focus. Gain practical tips for enhancing well-being and performance, such as harnessing morning sunlight, en

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Matthew Irving sit down with Dr. Hugh Chilton from The Scots College to explore transformative leadership and innovative strategies in K-12 education. Dr. Chilton shares his remarkable journey from avoiding a teaching career to becoming an influential leader in education. He underscores the vital role of leadership, curiosity, and questioning in fostering effective learning environments. Dr. Chilton’s groundbreaking initiative, "ScotsX," designed to revolutionize the educational experience for middle school students, particularly in Year 8. This innovative program prioritizes personalized, rigorous, and real-world learning experiences, aiming to build deeper relationships and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration outside the classroom. Dr. Chilton also emphasizes the importance of storytelling and evidence-based results in shifting mindsets among educators, students, and parents. He discusses the challenges of scaling such initiatives and advocat

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier sits down with Dr. Marie Perry, the Principal of Ipswich Junior Grammar School, who brings over 20 years of experience in educational leadership. Dr. Perry shares her inspiring journey into education, reflecting on the early influences and values that shaped her career. Dr. Perry shares her extensive leadership experiences, including lessons learned from mentors, the challenges of balancing educational leadership with the business aspects of running independent schools, and strategies for navigating new principal roles. She highlights the importance of board involvement, building effective teams, and the need for transparency and continuous learning. Insights into managing stress, setting personal boundaries, and balancing administrative tasks with long-term strategic thinking are also shared. Don’t miss this enlightening discussion packed with actionable insights for educators and leaders alike. Tune in now Highlights: (01:59) Dr. Perry’s journey in

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Matthew Irving sit down with Myfanwy Stanfield, Director of Community Engagement at Ascham School, to explore the evolving role of community engagement and advancement in independent schools across Australia. Myfanwy shares her unique journey from the arts industry to education, highlighting the strategic importance of storytelling, relationship-building, and marketing in modern schooling. Discover how the role of community engagement has shifted, the challenges of balancing operational and strategic tasks, and the vital need to foster a sense of belonging within school communities. Myfanwy also delves into effective marketing strategies for smaller institutions with limited budgets and the crucial role of philanthropy in enhancing a school’s offerings beyond basic operations.  Learn about the distinctions between philanthropy and fundraising, and why a comprehensive "giving strategy" is essential for long-term success. They also touch on t

In this episode of the Ed Leaders podcast, Luke Callier and Matthew Irving are joined by Trent Thomas, the founding headmaster of Lysterfield Lake College, an all-boys school in Melbourne. Trent shares his unique transition from the corporate world to education, offering valuable insights into school leadership, strategy, and culture.  Discover the "apared" educational model that prioritizes strong partnerships between parents, teachers, and students, and how it shapes the school’s vibrant culture and enhances student outcomes. Trent also discusses the importance of clear communication, mission alignment, and mentorship in fostering an engaging educational environment.Tune innow! Highlights: (01:30) Trent's journey from science and finance to education. (04:12) Comparison between corporate life and early teaching years. (05:56) Trent describes his journey from teaching to becoming a headmaster, including different school environments. (08:24) Trent compares the development stages of scho

Join Luke and Mat as they revisit episode 1 - How have our thoughts on leadership in K-12 education evolved over the last 4 years? Tune in to find out as we chat about the original list as well as a discussion about our favourite guests and what they've enjoyed about their Edleaders journey.