In this episode, we speak to Gemma Roberts, a passionate teacher and leader, whose approach to education can be summed up in one word—joy. Gemma shares her experiences in teaching and leadership, highlighting the power of maintaining a positive mindset and the joy that comes with being an educator. We discuss the importance of creating safe spaces …

In this episode, Jake Petterwood, principal of Settlers Primary School, discusses the crucial role that school culture plays in student performance. He shares his experience in fostering a positive culture at Settlers Primary by focusing on communication, consistency, credibility, and reducing staff workload. Jake emphasizes the importance of creat…

In this episode, we hear from Natasha Upcott, the principal of Mandurah Primary School, as she shares her powerful journey of overcoming adversity and leading with confidence. From growing up in a hotel in Hong Kong to facing domestic violence as an adult, Natasha has encountered significant challenges. Through self-reflection and personal growth, …

Meet Daniela Falecki, the human dynamo and passionate advocate for teacher wellbeing. In this episode, we delve into Daniela's new book, "Thrive," and explore strategies to help teachers navigate the highs and celebrations of teaching, as well as the lows and stressful times. Daniela Falecki, a dedicated educator and wellbeing consultant, shares he…

In this episode, we sit down with Katrina Bourke, a leadership and wellbeing expert, who shares her inspiring journey from being a teacher to becoming a passionate leader. Katrina emphasizes the importance of autonomy and self-awareness in leadership and delves into the challenges and vulnerabilities that leaders face. Katrina introduces the concep…

Lesley Barrett, the Principal of Neerigen Brook Primary School, leads a marginalized school where 36 different languages are spoken and 25% of the population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Over the past eight years, Lesley has made incredible strides in transforming the school, its staff, the community, and the students. In this episod…

Dr. Selena Fisk, renowned as the data storyteller, joins us to reveal the transformative power of data analysis in education. With a unique approach, Selena demonstrates how measuring student disposition and behaviours directly impacts achievement. In this episode, Selena shares her three-prong approach: data literacy, data visualisation, and data …

David Wanstall began his teaching career at Halls Creek District High School in a remote town in the Kimberleys. Now, with 38 years of experience, he serves as a Director of Education, having worked in diverse schools and contexts. In this episode, we discuss the profound impact of school culture, setting behaviour expectations for students and sta…

With 34 years of experience in education, Dr. Ray Boyd is not just a seasoned educator but also a marathon runner and an inspirational leader. Named Principal of the Year in 2014, Dr. Boyd has even honed his leadership skills at Harvard Business School. Recently, he opened Dayton Primary School and co-founded the Centre of Excellence with two other…

With over 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Lillian Fawcett is an accredited Dyslexia-SPELD specialist teacher and has additional qualifications in psychology. She developed Cracking the ABC Code, a program grounded in well-researched memory and literacy learning principles, and constantly updates it with new research. Dr. Fawcett has succes…

In this inaugural episode of Conversations with Courageous Leaders, we sit down with Louise O'Donovan, the Principal of Jilbup Primary School, which opened its doors in 2024. Louise is a distinguished educator whose commitment to excellence in education has garnered her recognition, including the prestigious West Australian Primary Principal of the…