Professional Learnings NSWPPA Educational Leadership

NSW PPA Professional Learning
  • 0.0 (0)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Professional Learnings for Educational Leaders is an initiative to support and inform NSWPPA members of the NSWPPA Professional Learning suite offerings.Our Professional Learning Suite is aligned to our values of Principal Well Being, Principals as Lead Learners as well as supporting Principals to lead School Operations.Our values are wrapped around support, empower, advovate and lead.This podcast discusses educational leadership and insights from Educational Leaders around the world .Our courses and Professional learning include the following world class programs that support educational leadership | Art of Leadership | Art of Leadership MasterClass | Middle Leadership Imperative | Mitch Wallis REAL Conversations | TAO of Teams with Rob Stones | Performance and Coaching Conversations with Rob Stones | AMP Series  | The Anxiety Project  | Tough Conversations with Michael Hawton | CLARITY Learning Suite | CLARITY Learning Suite support group | CLARITY Learning Suite coaching support  | The Flourish Movement for School Leaders | The Flourish Movement for Schools  | FRANKLIN COVEY  | 7 Habits of Highly Effective People | Speed of Trust | Multipliers | 4 Essential Roles of Leadership  | Priority Management | Working Sm@rt with Outlook | Working Sm@rt with TEAMS | Working Sm@rt with Notebook | Working Sm@rt with Microsoft Bookings  | Working Sm@rt with Excel | Working Sm@rt with MS Power BI | Working Sm@rt with PowerPoint | Working Sm@rt with MS Word | Working Sm@rt with Project Planning Breakthroughs | Working Sm@rt with Fundamentals of MS ProjectsThe New South Wales Primary Principals’ Association is committed to supporting and empowering principals to effectively lead and manage school communities from a diverse range of contexts. The Association responds to and supports school leaders as they address different challenges in rural, remote and metropolitan schools. Further information about our Professional Learning can be found at:https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

  1. 6D AGO

    Beyond Advice: How Human-Centered Leadership Transforms Schools

    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: 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

    58 min

  2. JAN 29

    Breaking the Postcode Barrier: How Early Career Education Transforms Lives

    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

    38 min

  3. 12/19/2025

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

    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

    1h 5m

  4. 12/18/2025

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

    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 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

    39 min

  5. 10/10/2025

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

    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 schoolsAustralian Mental Health Commission (2024): National Report Card 2024 PDF LLinks 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

    41 min

  6. 10/03/2025

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

    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

    1h 25m

  7. 08/06/2025

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

    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)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

    1h 14m

  8. 07/24/2025

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

    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

    23 min
See All (21)

About

Professional Learnings for Educational Leaders is an initiative to support and inform NSWPPA members of the NSWPPA Professional Learning suite offerings.Our Professional Learning Suite is aligned to our values of Principal Well Being, Principals as Lead Learners as well as supporting Principals to lead School Operations.Our values are wrapped around support, empower, advovate and lead.This podcast discusses educational leadership and insights from Educational Leaders around the world .Our courses and Professional learning include the following world class programs that support educational leadership | Art of Leadership | Art of Leadership MasterClass | Middle Leadership Imperative | Mitch Wallis REAL Conversations | TAO of Teams with Rob Stones | Performance and Coaching Conversations with Rob Stones | AMP Series  | The Anxiety Project  | Tough Conversations with Michael Hawton | CLARITY Learning Suite | CLARITY Learning Suite support group | CLARITY Learning Suite coaching support  | The Flourish Movement for School Leaders | The Flourish Movement for Schools  | FRANKLIN COVEY  | 7 Habits of Highly Effective People | Speed of Trust | Multipliers | 4 Essential Roles of Leadership  | Priority Management | Working Sm@rt with Outlook | Working Sm@rt with TEAMS | Working Sm@rt with Notebook | Working Sm@rt with Microsoft Bookings  | Working Sm@rt with Excel | Working Sm@rt with MS Power BI | Working Sm@rt with PowerPoint | Working Sm@rt with MS Word | Working Sm@rt with Project Planning Breakthroughs | Working Sm@rt with Fundamentals of MS ProjectsThe New South Wales Primary Principals’ Association is committed to supporting and empowering principals to effectively lead and manage school communities from a diverse range of contexts. The Association responds to and supports school leaders as they address different challenges in rural, remote and metropolitan schools. Further information about our Professional Learning can be found at:https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

Information