Engaging and working with the community
-
Eembrace inclusion and help build a culture of high expectations that takes account of the richness and diversity of the wider school community and the education systems and sectors.
-
Develop and maintain positive partnerships with students, families and carers and all those associated with the wider school community.
-
Create an ethos of respect taking account of the spiritual, moral, social and physical health and wellbeing of students. Promote sound lifelong learning from preschool through to adult life.
-
Recognise the multicultural nature of Australia’s people.
-
Foster understanding and reconciliation with Indigenous cultures.
-
Recognise and use the rich and diverse linguistic and cultural resources in the school community.
-
Recognise and support the needs of students, families and carers from communities facing complex challenges.
Element College
(AITSL Standards 3.2, 3.7, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4)
As Foundation Principal, I led all aspects of strategic, operational, cultural, partnerships, and growth of the school. Working alongside the local community, the school redefines how school days and year levels are structured, allowing flexibility for staff and families to
choose when they have their school breaks during the year, and I led the opening of a learning hub for home-school families.
YEE Education - International
Festival of Learning
(AITSL Standards 5.2, 6.2, 6.3, 7.4)
Working alongside Dr. Yong Zhao, I facilitated a 3 week international festival of learning in Chongqing China, where students from 8 countries gathered to collaborate on enterprise skills whilst developing student agency and ownership of their learning. This has transformed into an online learning festival in 2020 due to COVID-19, but I'm currently leading an Australian version of the festival with Dr. Zhao for 2021.
Sydney & Gold Coast Digital Learning Forum
(AITSL Standards 4.5, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.4)
Following the success of the Sydney Digital Learning Forum, I founded a Gold Coast forum of the same name, a free termly gathering of educators which provide an opportunity for authentic conversation, building on experiences from each member, unpacking and solving common issues & sharing practices. Over 2019, this has grown to involve over 20 participanting schools. I am also the conference chair of the inaugural 2020 Asia Pacific Digital Learning Summit and is on the conference committee of the 2020 Australian Council for Computers in Education conference.
High Tech High Deeper Learning Workshop
(AITSL Standards 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.4)
Contributing to the education community and building productive links with the wider community to improve teaching and learning at my school by presenting at the High Tech High deeper learning conference on my interpretation of project based learning and design thinking.
International Partnerships
(AITSL Standards 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.4)
I actively connect my school with the wider educational community including drawing on and creating connections with key institutions in the tertiary sector and educational thought leaders, including Dr. Yong Zhao, Thom Markham (PBL Global), Pasi Sahlberg (Gonski Institute for Education), Da Vinci Science School USA, and Australia's Future Schools Alliance.
Teach Tech Play Webshow & Conference
(AITSL Standards 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.4)
In 2014, I founded a webshow named TeachTechPlay. A free monthly event for educators around the world to share practices and have professional dialogue that is informed by feedback, analysis of current research and practice to improve the educational outcomes of students. This grew into an annual conference for teachers in 2016. I also chair the MakeThink Conference developed and hosted at Hillcrest Christian College to promote emerging pedagogies, networking, wellbeing across our community.