Christian Schools Australia

The discussion continues in Part 2 of the Designing School Life Series: Business Planning and Finance Matters. Ashley Penny and Matthew Green of Paynter Dixon sit and chat with Principal Geoff Peet of Maitland Christian School on their recent site development and the process of planning for growth.

Picking up where Episode 3 left off, this latest installment calls us to ask ourselves, and the teams that we lead, how we work to sustain vision in our contexts. In this episode we, once again, talk with Dr Brian Harris (Director) and Jennifer Argue (Executive Consultant) from AVENIR Leadership Institute continue to share from their personal experiences as leaders in education. We are reminded that leadership does not come without challenge and are encouraged to consider how hope and vision is instilled and sustained. We are called to carve out time and space to trust and listen, and have the courage to keep moving forward when times are difficult as leaders. The challenge:  What’s the calling of your organisation within the community and the time within which it’s called to serve?  How will you render this imperative to be worthy of the calling you have received, and be actively involved in giving the world a better name, anticipating the world to come until Jesus returns and introducing people to him? 

Episode 1 provided an overview of the Framework as a whole. In Episode 2 we begin our discussion of the twelve characteristics of leadership that are embedded in the Framework: Inspiring Imagination. Leaders of vision inspire imagination and paint a picture of the future to which others aspire.  We hear from Framework author Dr Daren Iselin and a leading architect and artist, Ian McGilvray.  As a senior architect, inspiration for Ian’s many projects came from his Christian faith, the aspirations of his clients and a desire to create spaces in which they would flourish. To get the best from his team he also inspired them to be creative in design and problem solving.  Approaching 60 this awarded architect left behind a partnership in an internationally renowned firm to complete a Masters degree in fine art. Far from being a retreat into a private passion, Ian saw the career change as an advance into a different form of cultural leadership, using art as a medium to express and inspire redemptive change, seeing and representing Godly hope at work in the subjects of his art. His insights are fascinating for all who seek to inspire and lead positive change.  This episode will also pose questions about legacy, and the importance of knowing when to pass the baton. 

Re-imagining Leadership Development for Christian Schools: The CSA Leadership Framework and the Partnership with the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership in the United Kingdom On this episode of the CSA Podcast series, Dr Darren Iselin talks with Andy Wolfe, Executive Director of Education for the Church of England in the United Kingdom. Andy and Darren discuss leadership development within schools and the work Andy has done co-authoring a Church of England leadership development resource with Professor David Ford from Cambridge University. Andy and Darren also discuss the recent collaboration between the Church of England and CSA on an exciting new CSA leadership framework which is due for release on the 14th October at the upcoming 2021 NLS Leadership Symposium.

It’s a tough time to be leader. With so much uncertainty and change, the wellbeing of leaders is certainly a hot topic. We’re also seeing leaders with great ability and charisma burn out or fall from grace, not from a lack of skill, but perhaps from a lack of attention to their own formation. In this podcast we are joined by Jeff Nagle from Heritage Leaders, who will help us explore what it is that brings leaders unstuck and how we can be intentional in our spiritual and philosophical formation – rather than just focus on the “doing” of leadership. Jeff has many years of experience in the international development and not-for-profit space, is heavily invested in supporting teachers and school leaders, and has some sage advice for leading in these challenging times.

This podcast explores how we understand and positively influence school culture. There is often a tension between what a leadership team might suggest is the destination culture of a school and what, in reality, one experiences when you ask everyone else – what we might call the shadow culture or cultures. When we don’t engage sufficiently with those shadow cultures it creates a level of HR risk which, experience suggests, schools are not, currently, managing. The first time we realise there is an issue is usually when something goes wrong. So how do we understand that culture better? How do we reveal that culture effectively? And how do we engage with it more dynamically? 26mins you won’t regret giving up! *Suggested link: Pandemic as Portal

In this episode of the CSA Horizons Podcast series, Sandra Scott talks with Sam Cheesman, Principal of Tyndale Christian School in Strathalbyn South Australia, and Meredith Lockery, Tyndale’s Executive Director Faith and Learning, about equipping teachers for the intentional incorporation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cross-Curricula Priority into the school’s curriculum and culture. Tyndale Christian School, as part of its commitment to an excellent, inclusive and Christ-centred education, has partnered with Australians Together in a pilot program which it heartily recommends to other schools. Key ideas shared in the podcast A plea from teachers: “What do we do about AITSL 1.4 and 2.4?” A partnership between Tyndale Christian School and Australians Together Growing a school culture which values honesty, justice and reconciliation It’s about changing mindsets and behaviours It starts with intentional and strategic leadership

Listen to this rich discussion on the key purpose of Christian schooling through the lens of curriculum. Cass Pendlebury hosts Peter Kilgour and Bev Christian from Avondale University College as they explore the importance of introducing Jesus to students in Christian schools and how to do that. Is it environment… is it planning… is it both? Peter and Bev also discuss their recently published book ‘Revealing Jesus in the Learning Environment’ from Avondale Academic Press and their own personal experiences with Christian education.