Callum Burden | Ascham Assistant Head of Sport
I was excited to see the School provide a course that allowed me to explore the opportunity of developing my leadership skills further, and join with a group of like-minded people to discuss a pathway moving forward. I love my role at Ascham but I think it is important to explore what other opportunities may be available and how best to equip myself to be successful within them. I was proud to be prompted by the School to take this opportunity and it gave me the confidence that it is something that I should be exploring, as the School saw the potential in me as well.
I was mostly excited to have an extended period of time with some experts who have had multiple leadership roles within different schools. It was fascinating to hear their insight into what is required to make a good leader. Going through this course as a group has allowed for more open discussion and to see things from more than one perspective, especially as my colleagues are from various areas of the School. We all have vastly different experiences of what leadership is and what is required. I gained further insight into how to manage difficult conversations with colleagues, as well as delving into how best to attack strategic planning as a concept, and also be inclusive of your team.
There has been so much insight shared throughout the course that has left me with plenty to ponder and develop. One of the key takeaways for me was that hard is hard. Just because you have done something often doesn’t make it easier; you will just be more prepared. Linked to this is that people will remember how you make them feel and one moment doesn’t change a history of behaviour. Both of these have made me have a lot more confident about having to have difficult conversations with people when managing them. I am also looking forward to furthering my knowledge by attending the Having Courageous Conversations course. I also really developed the idea that building a strategy is more than just having grandiose ideas. It is about managing both up and down. It is about checking the temperature of the room and bringing people along for the ride and it is about painting a vision. It isn’t just about saying ‘This is the end goal, make it happen’, but showing what ‘done’ looks and feels like. I have also clarified that everyone is busy, and it is important to make a plan and book in time to make things happen. Whether that be journalling or further reading, unless I specifically create time for it, I will always be too busy.
Finally, I really engaged with the last section of the course, which involved adding purpose to whatever our next plans were and creating a strategy for it including professional development, applications and interview techniques.
Jordan Gregson | Ascham Junior School Teacher
Jordan, why did you apply for the AISNSW Preparing for Leadership Course?
I was motivated to complete this course due to having the desire to grow and develop as a leader, both personally and professionally. I have been fortunate enough to work in the role of Year 4 Coordinator in 2024, and prior to this had the opportunity of sharing this role with a colleague for the previous 18 months. This role has allowed me to harness my passion as an educator and leader, and provided me with a position to support colleagues, facilitate wellbeing initiatives and new syllabus implementation within my Year group. This course resonated with me as I am continually striving for growth and professional development and believe that, at the forefront, leaders are learners.
What have you learned?
This course has affirmed my beliefs that at the heart of leadership are the fundamental notions of effective communication and the importance of fostering positive relationships. We were fortunate enough to engage with a range of educational readings and journal articles that promoted critical discussion with colleagues on the same learning journey. Particular areas of interest for myself include developing leadership ‘mantras’ that you live by and identifying your own unique leadership style that is adaptable to changing situations.
What are you looking forward to?
This course has allowed me to understand that leadership is not a position, it is a journey. Particular areas of growth for myself on my leadership journey include continuing to be a reflective leader by seeking and applying feedback from colleagues and reflecting on my leadership challenges through the use of a journal. I hope that this will allow me to become a more reflective practitioner and identify my strengths and areas of improvement as a leader in a timely manner. Another area I am eager to explore further, which was discussed in the sessions, is aligning the Year 4 initiatives to the School’s Strategic Plan and determining which areas to focus on in the future to support student engagement, achievement and wellbeing.
Henry Halley | Ascham History Teacher
As a Year Coordinator, my decision to apply for the AISNSW Preparing for Leadership Course was multifaceted. Firstly, I recognised the need to deepen my understanding of effective leadership practices within an educational context. My motivation stemmed from a genuine desire to positively impact both students and teachers. By participating in this course, I aimed to refine my leadership skills, particularly in areas such as strategic planning, team collaboration and fostering an inclusive School culture.
Strategic planning will allow me to tailor targeted approaches for student success, whether it’s addressing academic challenges or promoting social-emotional wellbeing. Team collaboration, essential for Year Coordinators, will be enhanced through effective communication techniques learned in the course. Moreover, my commitment to inclusion and diversity was bolstered as I explored ways to create an environment where every student feels valued and supported.
Reflecting on my experience, I’ve learned that active listening is paramount—whether it’s understanding student needs or collaborating with fellow educators. Resilience, too, plays a crucial role; challenges arise, and as a leader I must navigate them with grace. Ultimately, leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about empowering others and fostering growth. These insights have shaped my journey, reinforcing my dedication to effective leadership in my current role.
Chantal Young | Ascham Social Science Teacher
Last year, I joined the Board of the Economics Business Educators Association as a director and have also undertaken the role of Assistant Head of Department in Social Science for several years. Consequently, I chose to make my 2024 professional growth goal centred around leadership. This inspired me to apply for the AISNSW Preparing for Leadership course as a means of developing my leadership skills, both to apply in my various roles presently but also as an opportunity to grow in preparation for future opportunities that may arise.
The AIS course was an excellent medium to engage with like-minded colleagues and develop a deeper understanding of leadership, both in terms of engaging with research around best practice and reflecting on how this can be implemented within my own skill set. Our presenters, Helen and Adam, both had a wealth of knowledge in educational leadership and shared valuable insights and guidance that was practical within a school context. I look forward to continuing to explore educational leadership, recognising that even classroom teachers have an important role in modelling and facilitating leadership within Ascham.
Sarah Wilson | Ascham Science Teacher
In 2024, I assumed the role of Assistant to the Head of Science. I chose to undertake the AISNSW Preparing for Leadership course to acquire the skills and experience necessary to excel in this position. Our Science department is home to exceptional educators who are constantly seeking growth and improvement. I pursued this professional development opportunity to better support my colleagues in their teaching practice and to contribute more effectively to our collective goals.
The course boosted my confidence in my approach to leadership, encouraging me to explore new and creative ways to engage students both in and out of the Science classroom. Over the past few months, I’ve worked closely with Ann Brownlee, our Head of Science, to organize a dynamic and educational Science Week. This year, we introduced two new events—an Astronomy Night and a Science Trivia competition. Both were well-received by students; Dr. Kirsten Banks was particularly impressed with the insightful questions our students asked during Astronomy Night. The Science Trivia event brought together students from Year 7 to Year 12 for a lunchtime filled with fun and learning. As I supervised the event, I even picked up some new science facts, thanks to the excellent questions crafted by our dedicated Science department.
One of the key insights I’ve gained from this course is the importance of collegiality, collaboration, and empathy in leadership. I’m fortunate to work alongside passionate and experienced educators in Science and iSTEM. Our collaborative efforts have not only helped me grow as a teacher but also as a leader. The course emphasized the value of having mentors, and I’ve been privileged to learn from Matt Chadwick, our iSTEM coordinator and a highly respected Physics teacher. His guidance has been invaluable, from mastering classroom fundamentals to understanding leadership nuances. With his support, and with skills I learned from the AISNSW Preparing for Leadership course I’ve developed skills that I hope will allow me to mentor other teachers, equipping them with the confidence and expertise to excel in the Physics classroom.
Working alongside other teachers and corporate services staff in the course has been incredibly rewarding. We developed a strong sense of trust as a cohort, and the opportunity to collaborate with such a diverse group from across Ascham has been valuable. It was particularly insightful to gain perspectives on effective leadership from colleagues in the Junior School, IT department, and Boarding, as well as to hear from other Senior School teachers. This experience highlighted the varied approaches to leadership across different departments and broadened my understanding of what effective leadership can look like throughout the school.
