Effective Board Communication in Schools
Effective Board Communication in Schools For boards of independent schools to govern effectively, they must have access to accurate, timely, and relevant information. This doesn’t occur by accident. Many boards (often during governance reviews or with consultants) frequently raise a concern that the principal is not consistently providing the information they need to make well-informed […]
Shifting the Conversation on Sustainable Leadership
Shifting the Conversation on Sustainable Leadership We all know the toll leadership takes in schools. It’s the quiet weight people carry long after the day’s done — the expectations, the complexity, and the responsibility that rarely lets up. More and more, we’re seeing leaders step away. Some do it to protect their wellbeing. Others leave […]
From Problem-Solver to Strategic Leader: Advice for New Principals in Independent Schools
From Problem-Solver to Strategic Leader: Advice for New Principals in Independent Schools What should a new principal do to avoid becoming the chief problem solver and instead embrace the rewards of being a strategic thinker? There’s no simple answer; it could fill a book. However, drawing on consultations with school leaders and my own leadership […]
How Aspire2 Helps Prepare the Ground – Not Just Place the Plant…
How Aspire2 Helps Prepare the Ground — Not Just Place the Plant… Sometimes the question isn’t “Who should we appoint?” — it’s “Are we ready for them when they arrive?” At Aspire2, we don’t just run recruitment processes. We work with schools and boards to step back and look at the bigger picture — the […]
The Heart of the Community: How Schools Can Connect and Thrive
The Heart of the Community: How Schools Can Connect and Thrive Schools are essential for building our first networks during childhood, leading to lifelong friendships. They also serve as platforms for establishing new connections as we transition into adulthood and navigate parenthood. Additionally, schools are where we equip young people with the skills necessary to […]
Purpose, Belonging, Resilience: Building the School Community
Purpose, Belonging, Resilience: Building the School Community We are social beings, and our strength comes from connection. While we value close personal relationships, we also need our broader community to thrive. Our well-being and sense of fulfilment are closely tied to the relationships we build in our schools and beyond. Purpose Strong school communities are […]
Thought Leadership in Education: Who SHOULD Hold the Mic?
When Talent Isn’t Enough: Why Organisational Readiness Can Make or Break a New Leader We talk a lot about finding the right leader. The shortlist, the interview process, the reference checks — it all matters. But what I’ve seen time and again is this: even the best leader will struggle if the organisation isn’t ready […]
Voices of Change – Leading Education Forward – Featuring Brad Gaynor
https://youtu.be/NkupiR18h0Q ‘Voices of Change – Leading Education Forward’ featuring Brad Gaynor EPISODE 8 Our next interview by Dr Michael Boots is with Brad Gaynor! Brad has 30 years of experience in education, including 25 years in school leadership, most recently as a Primary School Principal. He is passionate about leadership coaching, building strong school cultures, […]
Voices of Change – Leading Education Forward – Featuring Graham Catt
‘Voices of Change – Leading Education Forward’ featuring Graham Catt EPISODE 7 We are excited to share our interview with Graham Catt in our latest Voices of Change Leading Education Forward! Graham Catt is the CEO of Independent Schools Australia. With 20 years of experience leading member-based organisations across education, business, health, animal health, and […]
The Importance of the Mission
The Importance of the Mission Leading with a strong mission means leading with purpose and alignment. A well-defined mission ensures that the school community understands where they are headed and why. A school’s mission should not be just a marketing tool – it must be meaningful, carefully crafted, and a true reflection of its values […]
