Professional Learnings NSWPPA Educational Leadership

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 ex...

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 ...

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 strateg...

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 flexibilit...

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 s...

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 student...

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 ...

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 befo...

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...

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 Prin...

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 princi...

Ever feel like your day is a constant battle to stay ahead of emails, messages, and urgent tasks? You're definitely not alone. In this candid conversation with Robby Stuart, National Learning and Development Manager at Priority Management Australia, we uncover powerful strategies that can transform how educational leaders manage their time, technology, and teams.

Robby reveals the game-changing "Four Ds" framework tha...

What happens when schools go beyond academic instruction to develop the whole child as a leader? 

In this podcast, Sean Covey, New York Times bestselling author and President of Franklin Covey Education, reveals the remarkable transformation occurring in thousands of schools worldwide through the Leader in Me program.

The journey began unexpectedly when an elementary school principal on the verge of losing her job discovere...

What if dreaded "difficult conversations" could transform into your most powerful leadership tool? In this enlightening episode, Rob Stones shares his expertise on performance and coaching conversations, revealing how the right approach can dramatically enhance staff engagement and effectiveness.

Rob challenges the traditional view of performance management by introducing a framework where every conversation—whet...

Discover the incredible journey of Michael Burgess, the newly elected President of the New South Wales Primary Principals Association, as he shares his unique path from a childhood rooted in curiosity and learning to becoming a leading figure in education. Michael opens up about the pivotal influences that shaped his career, from early technological exposure to the powerful encouragement of mentors who saw his potential. Listen as ...

Uncover the secrets to transforming your educational environment with insights from the incredible Dr. Lyn Sharratt, Sue Walsh, and Maggie Orgham. This episode of the Professional Learnings podcast offers a treasure trove of strategies for implementing and sustaining the Clarity Learning Suite (CLS). We begin with an exploration of the CLS implementation and sustaining guide, revealing how it aligns with New South Wales' educa...

What if the key to unlocking meaningful connections and fostering psychological safety lies in the power of vulnerability and authentic conversations? Join us as we explore this with Mitch Wallis, a distinguished mental health advocate and the visionary behind Heart On My Sleeve. Mitch opens up about his personal battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety, sharing how he transformed his silence into a source of strength ...

Unlock the secrets to creating consistent and effective learning environments as we chat with Sue Walsh and Dr. Lyn Sharratt. Discover how integrating Dr. Sharratt's Clarity work with the new Explicit Teaching Model in New South Wales for 2024 can revolutionize your classroom. This episode unpacks the 14 parameters of system and school improvement from the Clarity research, showcasing how they align with the explicit teaching ...

Uncover the transformative art of leadership with Amy Ruzicka, the visionary superintendent of the Bayless School District, as she guides us through her journey of becoming a multiplier leader. Known for her courageous leadership style and profound connection to her community, Amy shares the intricacies of her approach that earned her the prestigious Emerging Superintendent of the Year award in the Greater St. Louis District. Exper...