Our conversation with Dr. Anne Knock dives straight into the messy, exciting work of redesigning schools for the future.

Across the episode we unpack how leaders can think more like complexity strategists; reading the whole system rather than just reacting to individual problems, and how three levers; learner experience, professional culture and physical space, can work together rather than in silos. We talk about what it really looks like when teachers become designers of learning, not just deliverers of content, and how small changes to the environment or timetable can create huge shifts in student engagement.

Anne shares stories from her international study tours, including impactful moments on trains and in corridors where educators debriefed what they had seen and began to reimagine what might be possible back in their own contexts. We reflect on the importance of going beyond visually pleasing spaces, to ask how the environment changes the conversations, relationships and learning in the room.

Throughout the episode, Anne shares provocations about the future education workforce, the kinds of spaces that invite belonging, and the courage it takes to disrupt long held assumptions about how school should work. It is an invitation to look closely at the everyday spaces of classrooms, staffrooms and schools, and to consider what might be shifted or reimagined. Our discussion explores the value of experimenting with new approaches and asked how we might design environments where both students and adults genuinely want to be.

Anne’s new book School by Design: A Field Guide to Transforming Learning, Culture and Space, is out now.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Investing in people

In this episode of Stepping into [ed]Leadership, we sit down with highly experienced and inspirational Middle Leader, Tracey Matyk from Woodcroft College. Tracey shares her journey from scientist to teacher, how working with undergraduate students during her PhD drew her into education, and why she has never looked back. She reflects on stepping into her first leadership role as Head of Science, the importance of understanding the “nuts and bolts” of management, and how formal training helped her feel ready to lead.

Tracey unpacks her belief that people are the number one resource, and that to get leadership right, you have to get management right. We talk about private conversations with staff, investing in people so they are well equipped, and moving with “ferocious warmth” between head and heart. After ten years as Head of Science, Tracey took a sideways step into pastoral leadership as Head of Year 9–10, following a cohort through their transition from Middle to Senior School. We explore the similarities and differences between leading a faculty and leading a year level, including the reality that much of the work is relational: delicate conversations, emails and phone calls with parents, building culture, and supporting both staff and students.

Throughout the conversation, Tracey shares how she has slowly built confidence in handling difficult conversations, the value of coaching and great role models, and the power of reflective, collaborative line management. She describes creating a sense of community and belonging for students, especially in the post‑COVID era, and being a “relationship facilitator.” Tracey also speaks about her aspirations for senior leadership and her advice to emerging leaders: back yourself, take your time, watch and listen, lean on trusted colleagues, and never underestimate the power of observation.

We know you will gain a lot from this engaging episode.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Stepping Back into schools

In this episode, we welcome back returning guest Nicholas Brice. After several years with the SACE Board, Nick has made a sea change, joining Peninsula Grammar as Deputy Principal. He shares what it’s been like to step back into schools, reconnect with students and teachers, and rediscover the rhythm and energy of daily school life.

Nick reflects on the first few weeks of Term 1, speaking candidly about the excitement and vulnerability that come with moving to a new community. He discusses the importance of finding environments where leaders can grow, the value of asking the right questions during interviews, and the role of a great Executive Assistant in helping senior leaders stay grounded and supported.

We touch on empathy, trust, and influence; building trust banks with staff, validating students as people, and modelling professionalism for those around you. Nick’s story is a reminder that growth takes courage and that if nothing changes, then nothing changes.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Cognitive Cadence in Leadership

In our conversation with Dr Lisa Rigel, we explore the connection between neuroscience and leadership, and how understanding how the brain works can strengthen the way we lead and learn. Lisa shares how her background as an English and journalism teacher, followed by time in administration, leads her to think deeply about purpose, relevance, and what students really need in a post AI world. She poses powerful questions about whether we are measuring what truly matters for today’s and tomorrow’s learners, rather than just what algorithms can already do.

Lisa highlights her belief that schools do not have an engagement problem, they have a relevance problem, because we still focus on assessing content and skills from a past purpose while talking about, but not measuring, capabilities like communication, thinking, and collaboration. We unpack practical tools for turning ideas into action, including building clarity and coherence in school culture, differentiating for adults, and embedding brain science into classroom routines and assessment.

We also talk about creating “neurowell” cultures that are safe, supportive, and proactive, where trust, self awareness, self regulation, and self control sit at the heart of wellbeing and effective leadership. Lisa speaks about the importance of leaders protecting time, using concrete language to lead change, and building stepping stones from current state to desired state. Throughout the episode she returns to the need for authentic celebration of teachers, permission to fail, and a cadence that engages the humans in the system. This episode offers a valuable blend of neuroscience, purpose and practical leadership moves for anyone working in education.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Emma Grave – The Heart of Community

In this first episode of a three‑part series, we chat with Emma Grave as she prepares to step into her first principalship at Scots PGC in regional Queensland later this year. Emma’s career has taken her from Ballarat, to 15 years at Geelong Grammar, to Deputy roles at Seymour College and now Scotch College Adelaide, with experience as Head of House, curriculum leader and Head of Boarding along the way.

We discuss how a simple family mantra – 'be the best at whatever you are doing' – has shaped her work ethic, her belief that relationships sit at the heart of schools, and being a calm, reliable presence in complex moments. Emma shares on the boarding experience, describing it as both the hardest and most rewarding job in education, and the best preparation for the “productive chaos” of principalship.

We also go inside the principal recruitment process: being assessed from the first phone call, doing the homework on culture and finances, crafting a board presentation and learning to speak as the principal now, not one day’ Emma talks candidly about claiming her ambition early, holding firmer boundaries to protect her family and wellbeing, and embracing a ‘professional escape to the country’ – sharing her excitement about living on campus, and immersing herself in a tight‑knit rural community.

Across the episode, Emma shows us what it looks like to pursue principalship with humility, courage and a deep commitment to the life of a school community. We are so excited to follow Emma on this journey and grateful for her openness and honesty about her professional journey.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Being the head - Understanding people

In this special collaborative episode of Stepping into [ed]Leadership, we join forces with the UK-based Being The Head podcast to explore what it really means to lead with humanity first and outcomes second. Drawing on Jane and Jacquie’s rich experience as head teachers, we dive into the emotional labour of leadership, the invisible work of holding communities together, and the moral purpose that keeps leaders anchored in helping students be fit and ready for the next stage of their lives.

Across the conversation, we unpack the complex pressures facing school leaders in the UK: post‑COVID attendance, recruitment and retention, the five‑year exodus from teaching, and the weight of accountability frameworks such as OFSTED. Jane and Jacquie speak candidly about emotional accountability, the tragic consequences of unrelenting pressure, and how school improvement can and should be more collaborative, with leaders feeling supported rather than judged.

We also explore the deeply human side of headship. Jane and Jacquie share practical wisdom on emotional intelligence, listening over doing, training people to have difficult conversations, and why leadership is really very little about authority and much more about influence and connection.

Throughout the episode, we return to wellbeing, boundaries and modelling a sustainable life: “eating the frogs for breakfast,” protecting time for exercise, and creating safe spaces for principals to offload through mentoring, supervision and deep reflective conversations. Ultimately, this is a hopeful conversation about reimagining leadership so that no one leads alone, leadership is valued for its humanity, and impact is found not just in big metrics but in the quiet wins - watching people grow, flourish and discover their own influence.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

In our first episode for Season 3 of Stepping into [ed]Leadership, we sit down with Dr Adrian Camm, Principal of Westbourne Grammar and 2025 Educator Principal of the Year. In a far reaching conversation, Adrian shares what it really means to lead with the conviction that people come first, drawing on his leadership journey and the experiences, and opportunities that have shaped his approach. He talks about having a clear plan, working hard for the next step, and being courageous enough to “just do it,” even when it means being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

A strong theme throughout our conversation is intentional leadership: building and communicating a vision where people feel seen, valued and heard, and where student and community voice are central to strategy and decision-making. Adrian shares what distributed leadership looks like in practice, the importance of trust and decision-making at the right level, and how seeking mentoring and feedback can become a springboard for genuine growth. We discuss actionable ways leaders can build skills in areas such as change management, difficult conversations, financial governance and strategic thinking, and how adopting a coaching approach can be transformative when it comes to leadership.

We also delve into sustaining energy and hope in the work: finding the good, staying curious about ideas beyond education (including AI), and creating cultures where everyone learns together. We reflect on what great leadership looks like today: democratic, decisive, self-aware and deeply authentic. Throughout our conversation, Adrian returns to a powerful throughline: innovation and impact emerge when leaders prioritise self-care, communicate clearly and consistently, and keep people and their growth at the centre of every decision.

We know you will get a lot out of this conversation and feel inspired to take you next intentional steps!

You can hear more from Adrian on his podcast with Teagan Collins; The Principal’s Perspective

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-principals-perspective/id1814253683

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts

Keep the why, change the how

In this episode, we’re joined by Jamie Clark, Head of Professional Growth at Mercedes College in Perth and author of the popular OnePagers series. An English teacher at heart, Jamie shares his deep commitment to teaching and learning, reflecting on his journey from classroom practice in the UK to leading professional growth initiatives grounded in research, trust, and psychological safety. He speaks about starting small, whether through 15-minute professional learning sessions or informal coaching, and how those moments can spark meaningful, sustained development across a school.

Jamie unpacks his philosophy of “pedagogy first, technology second,” sharing insights into overcoming barriers like time pressure and cognitive overload. He delves into the importance of narrowing the toolkit, creating a shared language, and building coaching relationships that uplift teachers through partnership, feedback, and reflection. He emphasises vulnerability, clarity, and the relational groundwork needed for real change to take hold.

We also explore Jamie’s much-loved OnePagers; concise visual summaries that provide access to research-based strategies and help teachers connect theory to classroom practice. By reducing cognitive load for teachers, they’ve become a cornerstone for growth conversations and professional learning communities. Jamie closes by reflecting on leadership, sustaining change, and leaving a lasting legacy built on curiosity, generosity, and a deep desire to help others thrive.

Credits:

Podcast theme music composed by Julian Ferraretto

Logo Design by Meredith Baker

Photography by Carmen Roberts