Game Changers

Dr Phil Cummins

Welcome to the Game Changers podcast. I'm your host, Professor Phil Cummins. The Game Changers podcast aims not only to put a spotlight on the innovative ideas shaping the landscape of 21st century schooling, but to enter into a deep dialogue with those brave pioneers, the true game changers in education. These individuals, these leaders in education, don’t wait for permission. They are courageous enough to make real change in their learning communities as they foster the growth of each young person in their care and equip them with the necessary character, confidence, and competencies to flourish in a new world environment. These are their stories. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow.(www.aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE – The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education (www.circle.education). The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, follow us on Twitter and on Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

  1. Series 18 Episode 210 Ross Featherston & Dr Ray Swann (Part 1): Intentional and Foundational

    1 DAY AGO

    Series 18 Episode 210 Ross Featherston & Dr Ray Swann (Part 1): Intentional and Foundational

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 210 (Part 1) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Ross Featherston & Ray Swann! Ross Featherston, BA, Dip Ed, M Ed, was appointed eighth Headmaster of Brighton Grammar in January 2014. Victorian born, Ross was educated in regional Victoria and is a graduate of the University of Melbourne. He joined Brighton Grammar in 2012 as Head of Senior School. From 2006 - 2011 Ross held a wide range of leadership roles in teaching and learning and pastoral care at Geelong Grammar School, including Director of the International Baccalaureate Program, Head of Humanities and Head of History, as well as senior rowing coach and assistant coach of the First XVIII. Prior to this, he held teaching roles at Carey Baptist School and Melbourne Grammar School. Since taking up the position of Headmaster at BGS in 2014, Ross has overseen a new strategic vision for the School. He has been instrumental in prioritising student wellbeing and building the Positive Masculinity framework - making it a central focus of the School's agenda. As part of this work, he co-authored research on positive masculinity which was published in the Health Promotion International Journal in 2021. His dedication to fostering a nurturing and supportive environment has greatly contributed to the success of BGS and also the wider community. Ross was invited to join the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC) as a Board Trustee in 2020, one of only five Australian Trustees of IBSC which has almost 300 member schools from more than 20 countries and five continents. Ross is currently the Vice Chair, Australasia, IBSC. He was also recognised as one of Australia's most influential educators by The Educator in 2021. Dr Ray Swann, Deputy Headmaster at Brighton Grammar School / Head of the Crowther Centre. Ray completed his PhD in medical education at the Austin Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne and his Masters by research at the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. He is presently an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne. Ray has worked across government, independent and single gender contexts, and now leads change in the wellbeing programs and evidence informed practice. He was recognised as a national Top 50 educator in 2019 and received an Australian Council of Educational Leadership New Voice scholarship in 2020. Previously, Ray was a Head of School, and school improvement consultant working for a large organisation. Ray is an internationally published academic author and reviewer, author of a children’s book (Brio Publications due in 2022), host of the Understanding Boys podcast (which has trended in the Top 5 parenting podcasts in Australia with 65k followers), and a sought-after consultant in identity performance coaching for medical and surgical trainees (assisting them with preparations and building confidence for their gruelling interview process prior to residency). Ray has also run allied health workshops through the award-winning not-for-profit company Identity Theatre which he founded in 2002. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil and Adriano via LinkedIn and Twitter. Let’s go!

    40 min
  2. Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 3): Sustain

    9 MAR

    Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 3): Sustain

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 209 (Part 3) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Melissa Kennedy! Melissa is the Head of English at Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, NSW. Melissa has previously led teams as English Head Teacher at Albion Park High School and at The Australian International School, Singapore. She has worked in curriculum development for the NSW Department of Education and for the then NSW Board of Studies developing NSW's first online syllabus. As a sessional lecturer at the University of Canberra, Melissa lectures on the value of strong educational management and administration skills for school leaders. Teaching for over twenty years, in NSW, Singapore and London, Melissa has been messing about with words for as long as she can remember, publishing non-fiction, anthologies, teacher guides and textbooks. She is passionate about teacher education focussing on sustainable teaching practices, sharing her ideas and strategies in her new book The Sustainable Teacher (Amba Press, 2023). Melissa’s research includes a Churchill Fellowship, NSW Premier’s English Scholarship, and a Boise State Writing Project Fellowship from the United States National Writing Project teacher-leadership program. Melissa believes that successful classroom teachers make the best teachers of other teachers and is always looking for ways to develop such opportunities for educators. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    37 min
  3. Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 2): Challenge

    2 MAR

    Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 2): Challenge

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 209 (Part 2) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Melissa Kennedy! Melissa is the Head of English at Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, NSW. Melissa has previously led teams as English Head Teacher at Albion Park High School and at The Australian International School, Singapore. She has worked in curriculum development for the NSW Department of Education and for the then NSW Board of Studies developing NSW's first online syllabus. As a sessional lecturer at the University of Canberra, Melissa lectures on the value of strong educational management and administration skills for school leaders. Teaching for over twenty years, in NSW, Singapore and London, Melissa has been messing about with words for as long as she can remember, publishing non-fiction, anthologies, teacher guides and textbooks. She is passionate about teacher education focussing on sustainable teaching practices, sharing her ideas and strategies in her new book The Sustainable Teacher (Amba Press, 2023). Melissa’s research includes a Churchill Fellowship, NSW Premier’s English Scholarship, and a Boise State Writing Project Fellowship from the United States National Writing Project teacher-leadership program. Melissa believes that successful classroom teachers make the best teachers of other teachers and is always looking for ways to develop such opportunities for educators. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    38 min
  4. Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 1): Question

    23 FEB

    Series 18 Episode 209 Melissa Kennedy (Part 1): Question

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 209 (Part 1) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Melissa Kennedy! Melissa is the Head of English at Edmund Rice College in Wollongong, NSW. Melissa has previously led teams as English Head Teacher at Albion Park High School and at The Australian International School, Singapore. She has worked in curriculum development for the NSW Department of Education and for the then NSW Board of Studies developing NSW's first online syllabus. As a sessional lecturer at the University of Canberra, Melissa lectures on the value of strong educational management and administration skills for school leaders. Teaching for over twenty years, in NSW, Singapore and London, Melissa has been messing about with words for as long as she can remember, publishing non-fiction, anthologies, teacher guides and textbooks. She is passionate about teacher education focussing on sustainable teaching practices, sharing her ideas and strategies in her new book The Sustainable Teacher (Amba Press, 2023). Melissa’s research includes a Churchill Fellowship, NSW Premier’s English Scholarship, and a Boise State Writing Project Fellowship from the United States National Writing Project teacher-leadership program. Melissa believes that successful classroom teachers make the best teachers of other teachers and is always looking for ways to develop such opportunities for educators. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    41 min
  5. Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 3): Insight

    16 FEB

    Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 3): Insight

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 208 (Part 3) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Marek Kowalkiewicz! Marek Kowalkiewicz is Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School, and one of Thinkers360’s Top 100 Global AI Thought Leaders. He is the author of The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions, winner of the 2024 Australian Business Book Award (Technology). Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, founded SAP’s Machine Learning Lab in Singapore, and held research roles at Microsoft Research Asia. His work focuses on helping leaders understand and navigate the business implications of AI and algorithmic systems. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    46 min
  6. Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 2): Node

    9 FEB

    Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 2): Node

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 208 (Part 2) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Marek Kowalkiewicz! Marek Kowalkiewicz is Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School, and one of Thinkers360’s Top 100 Global AI Thought Leaders. He is the author of The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions, winner of the 2024 Australian Business Book Award (Technology). Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, founded SAP’s Machine Learning Lab in Singapore, and held research roles at Microsoft Research Asia. His work focuses on helping leaders understand and navigate the business implications of AI and algorithmic systems. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    37 min
  7. Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 1): Pronoia

    2 FEB

    Series 18 Episode 208 Marek Kowalkiewicz (Part 1): Pronoia

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 208 (Part 1) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Marek Kowalkiewicz! Marek Kowalkiewicz is Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School, and one of Thinkers360’s Top 100 Global AI Thought Leaders. He is the author of The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions, winner of the 2024 Australian Business Book Award (Technology). Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, founded SAP’s Machine Learning Lab in Singapore, and held research roles at Microsoft Research Asia. His work focuses on helping leaders understand and navigate the business implications of AI and algorithmic systems. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    42 min
  8. Series 18 Episode 207 Thea Stinear (Part 3): Take Care of Business

    26 JAN

    Series 18 Episode 207 Thea Stinear (Part 3): Take Care of Business

    The Game Changers podcast celebrates true pioneers who inspire us to take the big step forward and up in education and beyond. In episode 207 (Part 3) of Game Changers, Phil Cummins joins in conversation with Thea Stinear! As CEO of CoolPlus and former CEO of Cool.org, Thea Stinear brings together strategic vision, classroom experience, and an unshakable commitment to educational equity, reimagining how we support the educators shaping the next generation and the future of our planet. Bold and joyfully rebellious in her mission, Thea believes great education is a catalyst for social and environmental change. At the helm of Cool.org, she led the growth of one of Australia’s leading education not-for-profits, co-creating demand-led resources and tools designed by teachers, for teachers. Together with Cool.org's founder, she helped scale the organisation to a thriving network of more than 220,000 educators. Thea’s leadership is grounded in her early years as a secondary teacher, where two students sparked her passion for sustainability and showed her how curriculum can be a powerful lever for impact. That experience continues to fuel her focus on supporting under-resourced schools and the teachers working within them. Now, through Cool.org’s trusted not-for-profit platform and CoolPlus’s premium, for-purpose model, Thea is expanding access to curriculum-aligned resources, AI-driven personalisation, and world-class professional learning. She leads with purpose, kindness, and ambition. She is always focused on impact and guided by the belief that when we truly listen to teachers and students, we get the best results. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Evan Phillips supported by a School for tomorrow (aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE Education. The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, on Twitter and Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s go!

    35 min
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About

Welcome to the Game Changers podcast. I'm your host, Professor Phil Cummins. The Game Changers podcast aims not only to put a spotlight on the innovative ideas shaping the landscape of 21st century schooling, but to enter into a deep dialogue with those brave pioneers, the true game changers in education. These individuals, these leaders in education, don’t wait for permission. They are courageous enough to make real change in their learning communities as they foster the growth of each young person in their care and equip them with the necessary character, confidence, and competencies to flourish in a new world environment. These are their stories. The Game Changers podcast is produced by Orbital Productions, supported by a School for tomorrow.(www.aschoolfortomorrow.com), and powered by CIRCLE – The Centre for Innovation, Research, Creativity and Leadership in Education (www.circle.education). The podcast is hosted on SoundCloud and distributed through Spotify, Google Play, and Apple Podcasts. Please subscribe and tell your friends you like what you are hearing. You can contact us at gamechangers@circle.education, follow us on Twitter and on Instagram via @GameChangersPC, and you can also connect with Phil via LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Phil Cummins
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    298
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Game Changers

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