EDUCATORONLINE.COM.AU ISSUE 4.04

HOT LIST Meet 53 influencers who are reinventing the education landscape in

LESSONS FROM A CHAT WITH LEARNING HOW THE FARM ANTHONY MACKAY TO TEACH STEM How ’s James Ruse The education leader outlines Initiatives that help Agricultural High School how schools can meet today’s principals introduce cultivates self-su ciency most pressing challenges meaningful STEM learning

00_OFC Spine OBC-SUBBED.indd 2 10/12/18 8:19 AM SPECIAL REPORT HOT LIST 2018 HOT LIST In an industry rife with talent and strong leadership, these 53 individuals are truly moving the needle for Australian education

ANOTHER YEAR has passed, and education professionals once again, a raft of excellent nominations fl ooded in from across around the country have continued undertaking outstanding work Australia. On the pages that follow, you’ll meet the 53 individuals in the name of ensuring students have the highest-quality educa- who made the cut and gain insight into the exceptional work tional experiences possible. Determining those whose work merits they’ve done to secure a spot on this year’s list, from championing inclusion in The Educator’s annual Hot List remains an unenvi- the latest tech innovations to establishing new standards of best able task and one that remains virtually impossible without the practice in Australian education. assistance of readers. This list is by no means comprehensive; if there’s another Earlier this year, The Educator asked you to nominate the educator you feel should have been included, please send your individuals you believe deserve a place on this prestigious list, and comments to [email protected].

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18-37_HotList 2018-SUBBED.indd 18 10/12/18 8:25 AM HOT LIST INDEX NAME SCHOOL PAGE NAME SCHOOL PAGE Allen, Peter Scotch College 35 McConnell, Rebecca Living Faith Lutheran Primary School 25

Bain, Laura The Springfield Anglican College 27 McIntosh, Simon Parkmore Primary School 36

Baucke, Adrienne Parkmore Primary School 20 McVeity, Jen Seven Steps to Writing Success 34 Callaghan College, Waratah Technology Bradley, Kerrie Campus 32 Miller, Gregory St Luke's Catholic College 35 Campbell, Carri Faith Lutheran College 31 Moffatt, Ellen Korowa Anglican Girls' School 23

Cross, Anna Haileybury 20 Mueller, Jane Living Faith Lutheran Primary School 27 Curtis, Ros St Margaret's Anglican Girls School 30 Noonan, Vanessa 27 Dao, Rebecca Ingleburn Public School 24 O’Brien, Mary-Lou Girls Grammar School 33 Dennis, Michelle Strathcona Baptist Girls Grammar School 31 Pennie, Liv Become Education 32 Doherty, Saraid Yarra Primary School 28 Pincott, Jack Ormiston College 30 Duyckers, Bek College Anglican School for Girls 22 Pinnington, Mia Coomera Rivers State School 30 Entwistle, Brad Imageseven 23 Plaskett, Jake Ruyton Girls School 31 Fitzsimmons, Phil Findon High School 22 Ramsden, Chris Accelium/Mind Lab 34 Francis, Steve Happy School 28 Gervasoni, Kelly St Andrews Lutheran College 26 Reddan, Fran Mentone Girls' Grammar School 25 Gill, Ryan Masada College 36 Roberts, Stephen All Saints' College, Perth 22 Goltz, Garry Gladstone Senior High School 25 St Margaret's School and Berwick Rome, Annette Grammar School 22 Greene, Ashley Ormiston College 23 University of Newcastle School of Grieve, Rachel Grace Academy, Grace Lutheran College 35 Roy, David Education 24 Grossek, Henry Berwick Lodge Primary School 27 Russell, Tim All Saints' College, Perth 36

Hall, Jessica Ave Maria College 32 Saliba, Rachel Practically Learning 24 Herd, Simon Medowie Christian School 26 Savery, Mark Emmanuel College 31 Hill, Esther All Saints' College, Perth 34 Smith, Jason Tamborine Mountain State School 26 Innes-Hill, Patrick Emmanuel College, Josiah College 28 Smith, Reid Ballarat Clarendon College 28 James, Murray Sheldon College 36 Tozer, Paul Numurkah Secondary College 20 Kendall, Kristy Toorak College 27 Knowles, Tim Cire Community School 34 Turnbull, Joanne Valentine Public School 32 Lewis, Matt Lidcombe Public School 33 Vine, Jennie Wooranna Park Primary School 26

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ADRIENNE BAUCKE Acting principal

PARKMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Parkmore Primary School’s latest results on the Student Attitudes to School Survey showed growth of more than 20% in the area of student voice and agency. That’s largely due to the work of acting principal Adrienne Baucke in the realm of student wellbeing, a topic she has presented on at the Positive Education Schools Association Conference for the past two years. In 2017, her presentation focused on the implementation of positive education in a small government primary school; this year, she shared her successes in increasing student voice PAUL TOZER and agency. Principal Baucke was also the only representative from an Australian government primary NUMURKAH SECONDARY COLLEGE school to present at the 5th World Congress of the International Positive Psychology Association in Montreal in 2017. At a regional level, she has presented at a number Over the last four years, Paul Tozer of training days where she has shared her knowledge with teachers from the local has led his school community to area. Baucke’s work has also led Parkmore Primary School to be recognised for its develop highly engaged students achievements in student wellbeing, including as a fi nalist for Best Student Wellbeing who are connected to their learning, Program at the Australian Education Awards. whilst also having a large hand in the improvement agenda of his network. Data from the Student Attitude to ANNA CROSS Schools Survey, NAPLAN testing and Deputy principal, middle school the Sta Opinion Survey shows that HAILEYBURY Numurkah Secondary College is above the state average across the board and In her quest to develop the world’s best middle school leading in all of these key metrics. program, Haileybury’s Anna Cross has spent hundreds Tozer has developed clinical practice of hours researching models based on the future of rooms equipped with fi sh-eye cameras work. Cross is collaborating with top middle schools that can record visuals and sound of around the globe to ensure the program aligns with the entire classroom. He has led his Haileybury’s vision to be “a great world school”. The sta on how to use this technology new middle school program is based on developing and has coached teachers on how to enterprising and ‘work smart’ skills, both of which engage in productive self-refl ection Cross believes are critical in supporting modern student needs. She is also embedding and how to be a critical friend for peer Haileybury’s middle school with a culture of continuous improvement in which observations. By giving sta the ability research, innovation and creativity are valued. to focus on a range of areas within In her short career, Cross has developed varied knowledge and experiences the classroom and the capability to that incorporate wellbeing, teaching and learning, co-education, and international review a situation multiple times, programs. She has developed new and innovative programs, implemented signifi cant the technology has proven to be an change, and improved academic and wellbeing outcomes, including reshaping the outstanding development tool for middle school programs at several leading Melbourne independent schools and building teacher capacity. implementing a VCE program in China.

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18-37_HotList 2018-SUBBED.indd 21 10/12/18 8:26 AM SPECIAL REPORT HOT LIST 2018

ANNETTE ROME Principal

ST MARGARET’S AND BERWICK GRAMMAR SCHOOL

In just 18 months at St Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar, principal Annette Rome has already established the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, which links staff to professional learning and research they can use to make a meaningful impact to teaching and learning. The centre, along with the school’s Victorian School for the Performing Arts, hosts the Unicorn Series, which brings together the broader BEK DUYCKERS community, academics, students and parents to Head of Imaginarium

discuss topics such as ‘What Makes a Good Teacher?’ and ‘Happy to Learn, Learning PERTH COLLEGE ANGLICAN SCHOOL FOR to be Happy: Wellbeing and Learning’. This series has prompted a regular appearance GIRLS on local radio, which has made the educational discussions informative and accessible to the broader public. Bek Duyckers’ role at Perth College As a previous president of the Australian College of Educators (Vic), Rome has isn’t easy to find elsewhere. Duyckers supported new teachers through presentations and individual mentoring, all on a heads the Imaginarium, an initiative voluntary basis. She also has worked with the Principals Australia Institute to refine unique to the school, which caters the principal certification process, which certified the first principals in 2018. specifically for gifted girls of very high ability. It’s a place where innovation, curiosity and creativity are encouraged, PHIL FITZSIMONS STEPHEN ROBERTS and where rigorous intellectual development occurs. Duyckers has built Principal Director of art and grown the Imaginarium to cater for FINDON HIGH SCHOOL ALL SAINTS’ COLLEGE, PERTH gifted girls in Years 1–9 from any school in . Phil Fitzsimons has transformed As director of art at Perth’s All Saints’ The Imaginarium’s approach Findon High School by implementing a College, Stephen Roberts brings is unlike anything else available in student-empowered model of learning artists from all genres into the school Australia in that it holistically develops in an incredibly short period of time. environment and then invites the gifted girls’ cognitive, social, emotional Through this model, vulnerable young college community and other schools and vocational domains, in line with people are engaging in their learning to collaborate. As a result, All Saints’ empirical research in the field. Positive journeys and entering into partnerships has become a conduit that links the psychology underpins course content, with community enterprises and arts industry with students and the supporting the positive development organisations, creating a safety net of wider community; visual artists, theatre of gifted girls’ self-efficacy and support and belonging. groups, orchestras and filmmakers are self-concept and enhancing their overall The school held a forum on student- all invited to work with the students. state of wellbeing. centred learning that included the Roberts’ goal is to empower Over the past year, Duyckers community and parents, which forged students, who then become ‘experts’ has completed her second masters a unity of purpose. Local businesses to grow in their own schools. The in education, specialising in gifted gave input on the graduate capabilities students can talk first-hand about their education, whilst also continuing needed for the workplace, and Findon experiences of working on authentic to complete her doctoral research students acted on this information to projects, and media and film students with a focus on developing students’ develop a learning model that will teach work to create a documentary about intercultural communication students hands-on skills and put them the experience. This takes the art competence. Her work has also been on a solid path to employment in the experience out of a predetermined published and selected for presentation industries of the future. course and into a more fluid space. at international conferences.

22 www.educatoronline.com.au ASHLEY GREENE Year 10 coordinator and science teacher

ORMISTON COLLEGE

Ashley Greene is a role model for other staff and students at Ormiston College. She became the college’s fourth staff member to be named an Australian Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert for her leadership in innovative approaches to teaching and learning – in particular, her use of digital tools and methodologies to create, connect and collaborate with students, colleagues, parents and the wider community. Greene has been a key driver in developing a mixed-reality pathway BRAD ENTWISTLE across the college and is constantly Founding partner investigating, evaluating and sharing IMAGESEVEN how this technology can improve student performance in tasks such as spatial understanding, memorisation and mental imagery. Greene has led the use of 3D Brad Entwistle founded Australia’s modelling and mixed reality in her science classes to provide students with authentic leading school marketing firm, learning activities that develop the skills they need to become digital creators. Imageseven, in 1990. The firm services independent and Catholic schools across Australia. Entwistle’s ELLEN MOFFATT long-term vision to bring corporate- Head of Year 9 level marketing professionalism to the KOROWA ANGLICAN GIRLS' SCHOOL education sector led him to develop a systematic approach to school marketing that has revolutionised With seven years of teaching experience the practice and outcomes for under her belt, Ellen Moffatt is developing Imageseven’s clients. His ‘insight both a national and an international presence. applied’ approach of generating Her work at Korowa Anglican Girls’ School strategic insights that can be has involved the design and implementation translated into meaningful real-world of a school-wide wellbeing curriculum. She execution has earned respect from has also created an exciting year of challenge school heads around the globe. and choice for Year 9 students, who enjoy Entwistle and his team of 26 peak learning experiences each term that marketing professionals have forged complement their academic endeavours. successful partnerships with schools When undertaking her masters of by being able to work alongside education at the Melbourne Graduate School school heads, school boards, staff and of Education in 2016, Moffatt developed a parents. Always preferring to place the passion for educational neuroscience, particularly the neurobiology of the ‘aha’ or ‘light client in the foreground, Entwistle has bulb’ moment. She was invited to speak at the 2018 Global Forum on Girls’ Education quietly supported heads and school in Washington, DC, where she shared a synthesis of current research on the topic and marketing teams through times of proposed areas for further research. change, marketplace disruption and Moffatt has also worked with the not-for-profit organisation Try Mentoring for the past enrolment stress. two years, where she offers support, guidance and positive role modelling to young people.

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RACHEL SALIBA Director

PRACTICALLY LEARNING

As director of education consultancy Practically Learning, Rachel Saliba works to create connections between home and school to help children thrive. She serves as a guide for schools and families to embrace a culture of parent engagement in learning so that together, they can provide the support and encouragement children need to love learning, feel confi dent and achieve their best. As part of the national KidsMatter DAVID ROY Framework, Saliba was employed by St Lecturer in education Mark’s Catholic Parish Primary School to

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE SCHOOL OF develop strategies to build a positive school community and social capital to support EDUCATION parents and carers. Her collaborative and creative approach enabled the school to shift its culture and embrace parent engagement in learning. As a result of her work, the An award-winning educator, teacher school reported a marked di erence in student behaviour and wellbeing. Saliba’s work and researcher, David Roy uses his with St Mark’s culminated in it being identifi ed as a lighthouse school to showcase the research to inform inclusion and equity impact of the KidsMatter Framework. practices for children across Australia, Today, having worked with more than 20 schools and counting, Saliba has developed with a particular focus on children her own framework that is proving to have signifi cant impact in building sustainable with disability. family/school partnerships. She is currently implementing this program in schools Roy works with schools, systems around , including St Joseph’s Primary School in Chelsea. and politicians to develop meaningful and pragmatic means to o er achievement for all in education. He REBECCA DAO initiated the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry Relieving principal into Education of Students with a INGLEBURN PUBLIC SCHOOL Disability and is working with multiple agencies to implement the inquiry’s Rebecca Dao has spent 20 years in education, recommendations, whilst pushing for a including more than 16 years in the special wider evidence-based royal commission education sector. She has worked across state into disability in Australia. education systems in both mainstream and Roy has a passion for the integration special education, and has led specialist teams of multiple curricular subjects via a interstate in developing specifi c professional polymath approach. He is particularly development opportunities for sta to enhance focused on engaging science and the inclusive practice with an emphasis on autism, arts together to encourage students intellectual impairment, speech language to be creative in preparing for the impairment, and the gifted and talented domain. future challenges. Roy draws on his 17 Dao is leading change in education through years of experience as a teacher and innovation and entrepreneurship to empower learners to be future-focused global 10 years as an academic to engage citizens. She has presented at several state and national conferences on Making a wider audience to recognise the DREAMS [Dare to Revolutionise Education Authentically across Multi-dimensional important role and status education Systems] a REALITY [Resilient, Empathetic, Active Lifelong learners to Inspire and schools should have. Tomorrow’s Youth].

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18-37_HotList 2018-SUBBED.indd 24 10/12/18 8:26 AM REBECCA school’s move to agile learning spaces. MCCONNELL The curriculum includes project-based learning, Daily 5 literacy and a maths Director of learning and innovation program based on Carol Dweck and Jo LIVING FAITH LUTHERAN PRIMARY Boaler’s research into growth mindset. SCHOOL McConnell provides structure and training to support staff through changes, Rebecca McConnell has been the while giving them the freedom to take driving force behind transforming the risks and grow their own practice in curriculum at Living Faith Lutheran directions that excite them. McConnell Primary School. She has introduced has also developed a strong culture of a forward-thinking, student-centred risk-taking based on best practice and curriculum based on 21st-century research through a formal prototyping competencies that supports the professional development program.

FRAN REDDAN Principal

MENTONE GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Principal Fran Reddan has completely turned around Mentone Girls' Grammar to focus on empowering women with innovative curriculum practices and staff development. She has created an enterprise culture for the school, including an Enterprise Academy where students can create their own businesses, which helps them develop real-world skills and prepares them to thrive in today’s fast-paced world. Reddan has also led the development of a wellbeing curriculum to support students through the challenges girls face throughout adolescence. Mentone Girls’ Grammar has created innovative and first-of-their-kind wellbeing journals for students across the school, from the 3-year-olds in the Early Learning Centre to the 17-year- olds in Year 12. The journals include everything from financial literacy and mental health guidance to enterprise skills and wellbeing support, with a planner at the back. The journals are currently being reviewed for issue again in 2019.

GARRY GOLTZ State High School becoming the fastest- improving state high school in Central Principal . GLADSTONE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Prior to that, he led Moura Senior High School to become one of the fastest- As the principal at Gladstone Senior improving schools in NAPLAN results High School, Garry Goltz leads Central across all of Queensland and transformed Queensland’s biggest school, which the school from an environment of has more than 1,500 students. He took disrespect and misbehaviour to one with on this role after serving as principal of close community links, strong values and Toolooa Senior High School from 2014 to positive behaviour. Goltz also spent six 2017, where he led the existing leadership months as assistant regional director within team to continue to refine and improve the Central Queensland region in 2017 and the positive cultural changes occurring was highly effective in leading principals to within the school. This resulted in Toolooa develop their capacity for school leadership.

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SIMON HERD Principal

MEDOWIE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Simon Herd leads Medowie Christian School as a mentor and coach, spending many hours encouraging and growing the leaders around him. His commitment to delegated leadership has seen the school grow by more than 20% in the last year. Herd’s empowering leadership style has also allowed him to attract a globally significant leadership team, earning him the respect of politicians and an invitation to share his progressive educational vision with parliamentary leaders. Herd has also developed strong engagement with the local business community and is exploring ways his internationally certified leadership, coaching and speaking skills can not only bring the broader business community together, but also add value to their operations. Herd has seen the value in establishing a community that embraces difference and has successfully led Medowie Christian School to be accredited to take international students. This approach provides students the opportunity to engage in JASON SMITH global education, which Herd believes is a foundation for success beyond school. Principal

TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN STATE SCHOOL JENNIE VINE KELLY GERVASONI Assistant principal Middle and senior school teacher To lessen tension between students, parents and the school, principal WOORANNA PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL ST ANDREWS LUTHERAN COLLEGE Jason Smith took the unusual step of banning homework at Tamborine Jennie Vine has been spearheading Kelly Gervasoni is at the forefront of Mountain State School, replacing it transformative practice for the past innovation and change for disengaged with ‘work at home’ strategies that seven years, igniting passion, purpose students at St Andrews Lutheran include philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and agency with primary-aged students. College. She is currently implementing family time, sports, and cultural and art In doing so, she is spreading the Wonder Women, a social-emotional pursuits. Smith has also transformed message that positive impact in the learning program that addresses the school’s staffing and curriculum world is based on good character, a low self-efficacy, low self-esteem for the 21st century by employing thirst for learning, grit and tenacity. and low engagement with middle- specialist teachers in STEM, science Wooranna Park Primary’s Enigma school female students. Based on the and digital technologies, which is rare Missions program lets students college’s annual student wellbeing for a primary school. connect with professionals in the field, survey, which demonstrated an Smith has also created the cross-referencing complex information increase in the number of female Tamborine Mountain Learning and creating action projects as their students who feel a lack of purpose Academy partnership. One of the journey develops. Students present in life and are disengaged with their programs born from this partnership their research in learning symposiums studies, Gervasoni undertook thorough is the Young Scholars Program, which attended by parents, peers, secondary research via a literature review to identifies high-performing students college students, professionals and investigate what factors influence the in Years 4–6, puts them in the same other staff members. Audience implementation of a social-emotional class for two years, and links them members cross-examine each presenter learning program for middle-school with the local high school for further using complex questioning techniques girls. The program she developed aims extension and enrichment. Students to ensure that the student’s learning to recognise and assist transitions in the program have experienced two has been transferred into long-term in physical development, cognitive years’ worth of growth in one year of memory. The program allows students abilities, emotional modifications learning – a feat the director-general of to explore subject matter well outside of and self-esteem that adolescents education called a “game-changer” for the primary curriculum. commonly experience. the school’s students.

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18-37_HotList 2018-SUBBED.indd 26 10/12/18 8:26 AM KRISTY KENDALL HENRY Principal GROSSEK TOORAK COLLEGE Principal BERWICK LODGE PRIMARY SCHOOL Kristy Kendall is a leading voice in education and an expert on educating girls. A regular speaker at education In response to the conferences, she was invited to present at the Global Forum need for better-trained teacher aides on Girls’ Education in Washington, DC, earlier this year. Her to support the educational needs of presentation explored the social, emotional, cognitive and children with special needs, Henry moral developmental periods of girls and how disruption in the form of school transition Grossek developed a multi-faceted can have detrimental effects on a student’s mental health and academic performance. course that not only enhances the Under Kendall’s leadership, Toorak College’s academic results have increased, and teaching support skills of prospective it is now ranked number 22 among primary schools and number 50 among secondary aides, but also provides units of training schools in Victoria. Kendall has also expanded extra-curricular opportunities in line in first aid, library administration and with her philosophy of exposing students to a range of challenges and opportunities to office administration. The course inspire them to find their passion, aim high and dream big. develops multi-skilled aides who can consequently provide school principals with greater flexibility to deploy aides LAURA BAIN across a variety of roles within the E-learning coordinator and digital technologies teacher school. It also keeps teacher aides from THE SPRINGFIELD ANGLICAN COLLEGE being vulnerable to losing their jobs when the students they are allocated to In the past year, Laura Bain has gone from emerging leader move to other schools. to industry expert in the field of education technology. Her work with digital technologies and STEM in the primary years of education has gained attention around Australia JANE MUELLER and internationally. Believing that age is not a barrier when Principal it comes to achieving amazing things with technology, Bain has expanded the school’s LIVING FAITH LUTHERAN PRIMARY 1:1 program to commence in Year 3. She combined this with a self-created technology SCHOOL training program that aims to equip students with the skills to be responsible, smart and safe users of technology. Bain, who is recognised as a Microsoft Innovative As principal at Living Faith Lutheran Educator Expert, has commenced the study of her master of education with a goal to Primary School, Jane Mueller make an even greater impact on the education system in the future. encourages the development of contemporary soft skills from preschool to Year 6 to allow students to develop VANESSA NOONAN critical thinking, collaboration, Head of digital pedagogy and innovation empathy, resilience, grit, innovation and SHELDON COLLEGE entrepreneurship. Mueller has been recognised as a highly effective principal Vanessa Noonan is leading the development of dynamic learning opportunities for who enables and supports change while students at Sheldon College using state-of-the-art facilities. She has been inducted creating a culture that recognises the in the area of digital media, technology and ICT integration by international leaders need to redefine schooling to enable such as Ian Jukes, Stephen Heppell and Alan November. Her latest project is centred students to be productive and happy around ArtScapes, a cutting-edge digital arts facility that allows students to work in the contemporary world. This with digital media tools and virtual- and mixed-reality platforms that have never has resulted in many visits from previously been used in Queensland schools. Well respected for her drive, knowledge educational leaders from around the and resourcefulness, Noonan also led the development of the Sheldon College world, for whom Mueller has created an Learning and Innovation for a New Queensland [LINQ] Precinct, a world-class facility innovative series of highly sought-after of interdisciplinary project-based teaching and learning. in-school symposiums.

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PATRICK INNES-HILL Principal SARAID DOHERTY EMMANUEL COLLEGE, JOSIAH COLLEGE Principal

YARRA PRIMARY SCHOOL Patrick Innes-Hill is a principal who’s not afraid to push the boundaries of During Saraid Doherty’s stint as education to enable all students to A FRANCIS principal of Parkmore Primary from learn and thrive. After much research CEO 2016 to 2018, the school was named and planning, Australia’s fi rst purpose- HAPPY SCHOOL to The Educator’s Innovative Schools built school for children with autism list three times and was a fi nalist at the opened its doors in 2018 under Innes- Steve Francis is an expert in leading Australian Education Awards for Best Hill’s leadership. The school, Josiah e ective change processes in schools. Student Wellbeing Program. Doherty College, forms part of the prestigious More than 600 schools subscribe to was recently appointed principal Emmanuel College, one of the leading receive Francis’ weekly Happy School of Yarra Primary School in inner- private schools in Gold Coast. It was articles and use them to boost sta metropolitan Melbourne. A speaker at built from the ground up in close morale and wellbeing. This year, national and international conferences, consultation with specialists from the Francis launched a 12-month, Doherty is building a reputation for Bond University Centre for Autism self-paced professional development her expertise and success in positive Spectrum Disorder, with every detail program called WELL Productivity, educational leadership and is a planned according to the specifi c needs designed to support teachers to passionate advocate for strengths- of the students, from the architecture improve both their wellbeing and based approaches to build resilient and to the use of colours and even the e ectiveness. More than 30 schools thriving school communities. movement of the school's fans. across Australia and New Zealand have implemented the program. Francis also led the development REID SMITH lesson planning – requires painstaking of the Survey My School instrument Head of curriculum, assessment and e ort. Smith has contributed the patient to assist schools in measuring and instruction yet tenacious leadership necessary to trial improving school culture. In recognition BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE and embed evidence-based practices in the of the need to encourage and develop everyday work of the college’s sta . positive and supportive school cultures, Reid Smith’s leadership has been Seeking to understand more about the Francis developed a process for instrumental in guiding teachers at way children’s background knowledge assessing and certifying schools that Ballarat Clarendon College to make might impact their comprehension of a meet certain criteria as Employers of conscious and deliberate choices text, Smith began a PhD earlier this year Choice. This year, Francis has worked that bring greater alignment between to investigate the interplay of a child’s with schools to increase student voice evidence-based pedagogical theory and domain knowledge with their level of textual and ensure teachers are receiving their own classroom practice. Helping understanding. He hopes his research will formative feedback from their students teachers to reimagine key elements make a substantial contribution to literacy using the Survey My Class instrument of their work – such as the nature of education in Australia. he developed.

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MIA PINNINGTON STEAM specialist teacher

COOMERA RIVERS STATE SCHOOL

Mia Pinnington’s STEAM classroom is an innovative space. Having secured several government grants, Pinnington has improved not only student learning outcomes, but also teachers’ professional development. Year 6 students in Pinnington’s STEAM specialist lessons participate in her myDesign Solutions program each year, which has led to an increase in student participation in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics aligned with the Australian Curriculum. Pinnington also created the iDesign program, which allows participating schools to attend a teacher PD session, access weekly lessons and resources to use with their students in their own schools, and then select high-performing students to participate in a Day of Excellence design challenge in four different digital learning events. ROS CURTIS As a member of Coomera Rivers’ school council, Pinnington has developed a Principal common commitment with community stakeholders around student learning and has ST MARGARET'S ANGLICAN GIRLS influenced the whole-school explicit improvement agenda. SCHOOL

Ros Curtis has increased St Margaret’s JACK PINCOTT focus on literacy and numeracy, which Dean of activities has landed the school in the top 15 ORMISTON COLLEGE Queensland schools across all four categories for NAPLAN (in Years 3, 5, 7 The growth of e-sports over the past and 9). An academic advising model for few years has been staggering; by 2020, Years 9–12, introduced earlier this year, the industry is estimated to be worth has successfully increased students’ US$1.4bn. By bringing e-sports into engagement with their learning, the school environment, Jack Pincott leading to more self-reflection and has provided Ormiston College with self-management. a unique opportunity to develop its Under Curtis’ leadership, the own digital literacy component to the school developed and successfully program. This includes compulsory implemented the St Margaret’s targeted lessons each week focusing on Framework of Quality Teaching and teamwork, peer-to-peer learning, resilience Learning. She has developed and and good sporting play behaviours in promoted both internal and external online environments. Through Pincott’s professional development programs, leadership, initiative and drive, the college and 52% of her teaching staff either is not only at the forefront of e-sports have or are pursuing a masters degree. programs in the high school setting, but In addition, Curtis’ two former deputies also seizing this opportunity to further are now principals at excellent schools, develop students’ positive online footprint. and a former dean is a deputy principal.

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18-37_HotList 2018-SUBBED.indd 30 10/12/18 8:26 AM CARRI CAMPBELL Year 9 coordinator

FAITH LUTHERAN COLLEGE

Carri Campbell is the brainchild behind her school’s Hot Shots Robotics program, a concept that started three years ago with a vision, strong leadership and seven enthusiastic students, and eventually led to a funding grant to successfully establish robotics in the school. The program has now grown to more than 32 students who professionally compete at a national forum. Campbell is also the driver behind Faith Lutheran’s International Women’s Day event, JAKE PLASKETT which engages female Year 9 students to prepare and serve a shared meal for Year 10–12 Director of learning innovation female students, staff and guests. This year, the group participated in a panel discussion RUYTON GIRLS SCHOOL surrounding the theme of parity and what this means to women in 2018, which inspired the school’s women and girls to #pressforprogress by motivating and uniting friends, Jake Plaskett’s recent accomplish­ colleagues and communities to think, act and be gender inclusive by challenging ments at Ruyton Girls School include stereotypes and bias. designing authentic signature programs and experiences that engage the local community and are underpinned MICHELLE DENNIS by future-focused pedagogies; Head of digital learning and innovation reimagining the current elective model STRATHCONA BAPTIST GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL and introducing a new structure and timetable amendment to allow more Michelle Dennis has presented at both in-house and external student choice and voice in Years 6–10; professional learning forums in the area of educational technologies co-constructing learning that matters and has been a key driver in the implementation of new technologies through an authentic semester-long that drive the learning environment and program at Strathcona internship program for students in Years Baptist Girls Grammar. She has redesigned the Strathcona Year 7 and 8 interdisciplinary 9 and 10; and engaging professionals project to be focused around digital technology, including coding, and gave it the new to share their work experiences and name #CoLAb to evoke the program’s technical and collaborative aspects. Dennis has education journeys through Power also supported many staff in their teaching, including the use of virtual reality in the Lunch programs. classroom. She has developed and introduced the studies of Digital Futures at Year 8, Plaskett’s ambition is to inspire Creating New Worlds in Virtual Reality at Year 10 and VCE VET Creative Digital Media for change across the educational students from Years 10–12, which have sparked considerable interest from students in landscape, not just in Australia but their elective choices. globally. He recently founded a profit- for-purpose organisation called the Significant Learning Institute [SLI], MARK SAVERY which serves to provide learner- Head of e-learning (P-12), STEM and social innovation coordinator centred online professional learning EMMANUEL COLLEGE to everyone, everywhere. SLI currently offers seven online courses and is This year, Mark Savery has played a critical role at Emmanuel College in beta-testing across 16 schools in as an advocate for education transformation, using virtual, augmented and mixed reality Australia, pending NESA accreditation to bring engagement and a deeper learning experience to students. With a focus on for NSW teacher professional learning. students being creators of content, not just viewers, Savery has inspired students to The topics covered range from use available tools like Microsoft’s Paint 3D and game-based software like Minecraft to Project-Based Learning to Flipped create their own 3D models and export them into the VR environment. Students work Learning, from Leading Learning collaboratively and individually to engage in the design process, then share their projects Innovation to Co-Constructing in virtual and augmented reality or by 3D-printing their creations. Savery continues to Assessment that Matters. encourage the use of technology to the college’s executive staff.

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JESSICA HALL Teaching and learning leader

AVE MARIA COLLEGE

Jessica Hall is a leader in the field of innovation in educational JOANNE TURNBULL leadership Teacher librarian excellence. Hall’s learning and VALENTINE PUBLIC SCHOOL leadership disposition is evidenced by strong strategic insight, exemplary In a single year, Joanne Turnbull took change management and collaboration Valentine Public School’s traditional skills, as well as a tenacious capacity library space and turned it into a to deliver. high-powered media centre. Her At Ave Maria College, Hall has efforts have led to a significant introduced CHALK, an interactive improvement in student engagement online portal that supports growth and and greater confidence among development in teaching practice. Her teachers in embedding technology LIV PENNIE leadership in this role has ensured that into their teaching. The new state-of- Co-founder and CEO

staff, students and senior leaders can the-art media centre enriches class BECOME EDUCATION effectively offer feedback on teacher content learning through the explicit practice, celebrate achievements and teaching of the general capabilities and ensure an efficient mechanism for cross-curricular priorities. The space Rather than join the quest to predict staff professional learning on a also ensures that students engage the future, Liv Pennie’s postgraduate semester basis. with literacy learning that supports research led her to a robust evidence Hall has also been responsible for future-focused skills. Within this space, base in the fields of vocational and the successful implementation of the students work collaboratively with an educational psychology. Evidence school’s learning management system, emphasis on becoming the architects shows that students who have an which has been widely applauded by and creators of technology, rather than idea for their future that excites them staff, students and parents. merely consumers of it. and confidence that they’ll be able to navigate towards it demonstrate short- and long-term benefits such as KERRIE BRADLEY and advice to her peers and students increased academic and community Sports coordinator in a way that helps them feel a sense engagement, decreased anti-social CALLAGHAN COLLEGE, WARATAH of achievement. Her enthusiasm and behaviours such as delinquency and TECHNOLOGY CAMPUS encouragement have had a noticeable truancy, and better academic and impact on school athletics and swimming vocational outcomes. Pennie and her Kerrie Bradley has built strong links carnivals, as well as specific sports events. company, Become Education, have with Sports Australia to introduce Student numbers have risen, and their used this research to transform career new ways to improve physical activity hunger to compete and win is much education by empowering young people programs and practices at Callaghan stronger; several of Bradley’s students with the skills to explore, design and College. Serving as a role model have competed at the international level. In navigate their future. Pennie has created for her students by staying fit and addition, by staying in contact with student a unique workshop solution that is being encouraging good, healthy eating carers, Bradley has been able to receive automated and turned into an app that habits, Bradley imparts knowledge and implement feedback. can be used all over the world.

32 www.educatoronline.com.au MATT LEWIS MARY-LOU O’BRIEN Principal Chief digital officer

LIDCOMBE PUBLIC SCHOOL MELBOURNE GIRLS GRAMMAR

Matt Lewis’ leadership, social Mary-Lou O’Brien has made leaps and bounds in the effective awareness and keen sense use of technology for the girls at Melbourne Girls Grammar of what students need have School [MGGS]. She led one of the first full-choice ‘bring your led him to introduce growth own technology’ programs, which frees students from technology mindset training for staff and constraints, enabling them to choose their own device for learning. parents at Lidcombe Public O’Brien also has a major focus on role modelling for girls in School, allowing students to build resilience and prepare STEM. In 2011, she created a small networking group of independent them for real-world success. school e-learning leaders that still meets once per term. She Lewis also oversees Literacy, Language and Learning also co-created the Centre for Educational Enterprise at MGGS, [L3], a program in operation since 2011, which teaches a community hub that unites world educators through shared reading to students in the early years. Under Lewis’ knowledge, success strategies, research and global partnerships, leadership, the results of the L3 program have been so with the goal of progressing outstanding practice in education. outstanding that Lidcombe is one of only two schools that O’Brien regularly shares her thoughts, visions and passion with has the capacity to train other schools in L3, currently others within the education community, which holds her in very impacting upon 15 other schools. high esteem with her peers.

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CHRIS RAMSDEN Education consultant

ACCELIUM/MIND LAB

Chris Ramsden often hears that his work is “amongst Australia’s best-kept secrets”; others say he was ahead of time when introducing the first iterations of Mind Lab some 11 years ago. Throughout his career, Ramsden has demonstrated resilience, dedication and foresight whilst training teachers in the art of metacognition and transference. Ramsden’s high-quality, evidence- based and evidence-generating game-based methodology has forged purposeful and positive partnerships with more innovative schools throughout 2018. Accelium/Mind Lab’s body of research has recently been mapped to the Social Venture -Evidence for Learning toolkit, which Ramsden supports with a strong commitment to grow and assess aspects of critical and creative thinking and personal and social capabilities. Throughout 2018, Ramsden has shared his work in conference workshops, keynotes and industry roundtables, discussing, amongst other topics, agile learning in the JEN MCVEITY Creator and CEO ESTHER HILL TIM KNOWLES SEVEN STEPS TO WRITING SUCCESS Dean of teaching and learning Principal ALL SAINTS’ COLLEGE, PERTH CIRE COMMUNITY SCHOOL In creating the Seven Steps to Writing Success program, Jen McVeity has Esther Hill is the passionate promoter As principal of Cire Community helped raise the literacy levels of more and director of the Beyond Boundaries School, Tim Knowles takes the rough than a million children. The program Institute at All Saints’ College. A diamonds of his local community improves not only NAPLAN scores, but future-focused hub, the Institute and gives them every opportunity also school data to track real student has developed student-run Propeller to shine. The multi-campus school literacy. Aggregate data of 1,500 Industries, operated from a ‘hangar’ works with youth at risk of disengaging students in F-6 shows an 11% increase on the college grounds, which includes from education, many of whom come in writing skills on the NAPLAN band in a pop-up shop selling goods students from families where parents have just six to 10 weeks. The program has have made on-site and enterprises had poor school experiences. Twice a also been shown to improve student where they redistribute other goods. year, the school conducts compulsory engagement within a matter of weeks. The second stage of the college’s engagement interviews for every McVeity says the Seven Steps’ Creative Industries program is student, along with a significant adult simplicity and verbal collaboration are where students work with service in their lives, to activate their personal key to making students feel engaged partners such as disabled surfing, learning plan for the next six months. and confident. “They want fast lessons aged care, dementia charities, This process has resulted in close to and quick gains – and they love the Anglicare for the homeless, and Teach 100% engagement. The significant improvement,” she says. Teachers Learn Grow for Indigenous work and increase in school attendance for have reported that since implementing projects in India. Organisations pitch some of the school’s most vulnerable the program, their writing classrooms their problems to the students, who young people is a marked difference have transformed from quiet, serious then have the opportunity to solve from their experience in a mainstream places into “buzzing hives of creativity real-world issues. school environment. and excitement”.

34 www.educatoronline.com.au PETER ALLEN Director of teaching and learning

SCOTCH COLLEGE

At Scotch College, Peter Allen and his team have created genuine change that they have yet to see replicated in schools elsewhere. Scotch College runs two curriculums in Year 11 and 12 across two single-sex schools by having cross-campus classes and RACHEL GRIEVE a bus that ferries students Dance coordinator between every lesson. GRACE ACADEMY, GRACE LUTHERAN Allen says the college has COLLEGE “thrown the Australian Curriculum in the bin” in a Rachel Grieve is one of the most Year 9 and 10 STEM elective, respected dance teachers in for which three teachers Queensland and is changing the shape teach in an open space with of dance as a subject across the no content, no assessment state, including creating a unique new and no reporting – and it curriculum for use in dance classes remains the college’s most throughout Australia. Grieve’s work popular elective. has the potential to transform the Scotch College has way dance is taught in Queensland also partnered with a local by including contextual, analytical creative agency, FORM, to information and practical elements in establish the Art of Creative Learning program, which sees teachers work with artists to a production that is readily viewable by redefine how they teach subjects like maths and science to encourage creativity. mass audiences. She has personally designed a curriculum on the company’s production of Cinderella that is now being used in classrooms GREGORY MILLER across Queensland. Her work is likely Principal to be used for decades to come by ST LUKE'S CATHOLIC COLLEGE schools in Australia and potentially across the globe. As part of the Catholic education system of Parramatta, Gregory Miller’s mission is Grieve sits on the district panel to design and establish a new normal for pre- to post-school education. Miller has for review and moderation of all partnered with the University of Technology in Sydney, using an online platform to assessable dance work in the region’s understand how learning activities can translate into general capability expressions. schools and has personally designed Throughout their secondary years, students at St Luke’s increasingly get time the curriculum used in several schools. back for self-paced learning, self-developed courses and to engage with community She is accredited as a leader within partners. Ultimately, students will map their own personalised learning plan in the Lutheran Church of Australia and consultation with their parents and learning mentors, and with the support of life its schools. She also uses her skills coaches. The student achievements are validated in real time with an approach of to influence the next generation of ‘catch them doing good’. The focus is on community and how students relate to one teachers and is regularly sought out as another, not how they measure themselves against others. a mentor and guide.

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RYAN GILL Head of teaching and learning, Years 7–12

MASADA COLLEGE

Ryan Gill is a key fi gure in the development of Cultures of Thinking and Flipped Learning pedagogies across Australia. Having taught and held leadership positions in the UK and Australia, Gill’s current role has developed to focus on the pedagogies and practices of teaching and learning, actively promoting a learning environment in which collective and individual thinking is valued, visible and actively promoted. He regularly facilitates at conferences and educational institutions, including the highly acclaimed Masada College Think Centre. Gill also serves as a coach for the online Creating Cultures of Thinking course at Project Zero and as a fellow at the Project Zero Classroom at Harvard University.

SIMON MCINTOSH MURRAY JAMES TIM RUSSELL Director of ICT Dean of student wellbeing Mathematics leader SHELDON COLLEGE ALL SAINTS’ COLLEGE, PERTH PARKMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL

Making his second consecutive Murray James has developed a positive Tim Russell strategically planned and appearance on The Educator’s Hot culture to lead change within the realm implemented the Heads, Hearts and List, Simon McIntosh has continued of ICT and digital pedagogies across Hands service learning program at to promote a Jo Boaler-inspired ‘math Sheldon College by inspiring others to All Saints’ College. He has creatively revolution’ in the Riversdale Network, think beyond the visible possibilities. embedded ethics and justice into the located in the inner east of Melbourne. James has led the development of curriculum from pre-kindergarten to In 2018, McIntosh developed an the school’s Learning and Innovation Year 12 and has expanded the college’s attitudinal survey for students for a New Queensland [LINQ] outreach program and collaborated participating in Parkmore Primary’s Precinct, which uses interdisciplinary with its Creative Industries unit to Mathematical Mindsets program to project-based teaching and learning have service providers, such as the begin to track the impact of the modern to focus on the cross-disciplinary Salvation Army, disabled surfers and curriculum structure on student growth implementation of media, business, Disability Services, meet with the and mindset development. By sharing design and technologies. Creative Industries class to share the school’s discoveries with other James’ latest project is ArtScapes, real-world problems. The students schools in the network’s professional a cutting-edge digital arts facility that then employ their design thinking skills learning community, Parkmore allows students to work with digital to come up with and pitch solutions to Primary has continued to drive its media tools in virtual- and mixed-reality the providers. ‘math revolution’ beyond the strengths platforms, allowing them to access Additionally, Russell has actively identifi ed in its own classrooms. resources that are only often found engaged the alumni and families in For 2019, McIntosh is vying to in industry and universities. James’ the college’s outreach program so present his work on Parkmore’s approach to teaching and learning that the entire community is now Mathematical Mindsets to the o ers creative classroom training actively involved in the Heads, Hearts International Positive Psychology across various and constantly evolving and Hands approach to making a Conference in Melbourne, continuing media disciplines, coupled with di erence in the wider community. In Parkmore’s e orts to be at the forefront participation in regular master classes total, Russell has developed 40 service of positive education. and industry experiences. programs for the college.

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