Magnify Matters

What does it take for teachers to keep getting better?In this episode of Magnify Matters, host Tim Edwards is joined by Josh Goodrich, founder and CEO of StepLab, for a conversation about instructional coaching, professional growth and the science of improving teaching practice.Drawing on his own experience as an early career teacher in some of England’s most challenging schools, Josh reflects on the coaching model that transformed his practice and ultimately shaped the development of StepLab, now used by schools and systems around the world.Together, Tim and Josh explore:• Why instructional coaching is one of the most effective forms of professional learning• The difference between direct instruction and discovery learning• How rehearsal, feedback and deliberate practice support teacher growth• Why teachers must sometimes learn like novices again• The six-step StepLab framework and its growing impact in schools and systemsSteplab are a Magnify Sandhurst partner, playing a pivotal role in instructional decision-making and support for teachers across our 51 schools. We are thrilled to welcome Josh and the rest of the Steplab Australia team to Shepparton in May for an exclusive session with all Sandhurst principals and leaders. In this episode, Josh also references recent research on the impact of StepLab’s work in schools across England. Congratulations to the Steplab team, and we’re excited to share details with Sandhurst principals. Whether you are in the classroom, leading a team or supporting system improvement, this is a thoughtful conversation about coaching, expertise and keeping improvement simple enough to sustain.Now join us as we magnify what truly matters in education.Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education SandhurstJosh GoodrichSteplabGet Better FasterTeach like a championRosenshine PrinciplesABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURSTCatholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURSTCatholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools and six early learning centres across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,298 students. We empower regional young people, their families, our staff and communities to have 'life to the full' (John 10:10).Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Teaching should not be as hard as it sometimes feels, for teachers or for students.In this episode of Magnify Matters, Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst, Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) is joined by Katie Webster and Katie Roberts-Hull from Teach Well for a conversation about what it takes to translate evidence into everyday classroom practice.Drawing on their work across more than 900 schools, Katie Webster and Katie Roberts-Hull reflect on the realities of school improvement, from early career teaching experiences to system-wide professional learning, and what it takes to move beyond one-off professional development to something that genuinely shifts teaching.As partners in the Magnify Sandhurst journey, they connect research to practice, exploring how modelling, feedback and sustained support build teacher confidence and create the conditions for every student to learn.Together they explore:Why calm, orderly and predictable learning environments are the foundation for effective teaching and learning.What doesn't work in professional learning, and why one-off workshops rarely lead to sustained change in practice.Why teachers need to see what effective instruction looks like, not just hear the theory behind it.How retrieval practice, review and full participation strengthen learning and support long-term memory.Why system improvement relies on coherence, shared language and continuous learning over time.Whether you’re in the classroom, leading a school or working across a system, this episode offers practical insight and a clear reminder that improving teaching is not about doing more, but about doing what works, consistently and well.Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters in education.Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education SandhurstTeach WellOchre EducationClassroom MasteryABOUT TEACH WELLTeach Well create life-long learning opportunities for teachers and school leaders, that translate research into action, improving outcomes for all students. Across Australia, 8,800+ educators and 650+ schools have improved student learning and engagement through its programs. In 2025, Teach Well joined forces with Ochre Education to deepen its collective impact, bringing together Teach Well’s expertise in professional development and Ochre Education’s comprehensive curriculum offerings. Ochre Education is a national not-for-profit, that supports teachers and expands student access to comprehensive high-quality curriculum through a free online library.ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURSTCatholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURSTCatholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools and six early learning centres across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,298 students. We empower regional young people, their families, our staff and communities to have 'life to the full' (John 10:10).Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath returns to Magnify Matters for a fast, practical check-in on what lifts learning from knowledge-rich curriculum and whole-class instruction to cutting through the noise on EdTech.In conversation with Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst, Assistant Director: Learning & Teaching), Jared reflects on Sandhurst’s momentum since his three-day intensive earlier this year, and also previews his new book The Digital Delusion including that now-famous Hugh Grant blurb.Together, Tim and Jared explore:What knowledge-rich, low-variance looks like in real classroomsWhy whole-class instruction builds empathy, synchrony and deeper understandingHow background knowledge speeds new learning and boosts creativityPractical ways to align teachers, students and parents around the same learning languageWhere EdTech helps, where it harms, and how to keep people at the centreWhat’s next for Magnify Sandhurst in 2026.Whether you’re in the classroom or leading a school, this episode offers clear principles, memorable stories and next steps you can use tomorrow.Now join us as we magnify what truly matters in education.Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education Sandhurst  LME GlobalThe Digital DelusionABOUT DR JARED COONEY HORVATH  Dr Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist and educator with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He is the co-founder of LME Global, a company dedicated to bringing the Science of Learning to schools and learning communities worldwide. Jared has published four books, including the bestseller 'Stop Talking, Start Influencing', and has been featured in The New York Times, WIRED, and The Economist. Jared is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and classroom practice, helping teachers and students achieve better outcomes through applied brain science.  ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across rural and regional Victoria, educating more than 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

It’s been just six months but the impact of Magnify Sandhurst is already clear.In this season finale of Magnify Matters, host Kate Fogarty (Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director) is joined by Tim Edwards (Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) and Ashley Marsh (Assistant Director: School Improvement and Safeguarding) for a wide-ranging conversation on the progress of Magnify Sandhurst across Terms 1 and 2.From the rollout of evidence-informed programs like MultiLit, Ochre and Classroom Mastery to the introduction of Steplab and the new Source of Life curriculum, this episode unpacks what’s working, what’s changing and what’s coming next.We also look ahead to an exciting study tour to the UK, where Catholic Education Sandhurst will visit leading multi-school systems and trusts, gathering insight to shape the future of learning across our diocese.In this episode, we explore:How teachers and schools are engaging deeply with literacy, curriculum and coachingThe shift from lesson design to intellectual preparationHow low-variance practices are building consistency and connectionThe early signs of student learner growth and why that mattersWhat Sandhurst hopes to learn from UK school systems in its next evolutionWhether you're a school leader, classroom teacher or parent curious about how system change actually works — this episode captures the momentum of Magnify and the shared commitment behind it.Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters in education.Mentioned in this episode:Magnify SandhurstCatholic Education Sandhurst Classroom MasteryKnowledge Society Learning Made EasySteplabOchreABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Great teaching starts with calm, predictable classrooms and it doesn’t happen by chance.In this episode of Magnify Matters, host Ashley Marsh, Assistant Director: School Improvement and Safeguarding at Catholic Education Sandhurst, is joined by Dr Tim McDonald and Sara Wiggins from Classroom Mastery, to unpack the strategies, structures and mindset shifts that create classrooms where learning thrives.With experience spanning classroom teaching, system leadership, research, and hands-on coaching, Tim and Sara share what it takes to embed consistent, evidence-informed behaviour routines across schools, and why that work is foundational to teaching and learning.In this episode, we explore:How Classroom Mastery was developed and why it's resonating across Australia.What makes classroom routines like “entry”, “exit” and “cue to start” so effective.How Catholic schools in the Sandhurst Diocese are adapting the model to their own context through Magnify Sandhurst.Why this work isn’t about control — it’s about consistency, belonging and the students.The research behind behaviour and how low-level disruptions impact achievement.Whether you’re an early career teacher, a seasoned leader or curious parent, this episode offers practical insight, grounded expertise and real strategies for creating the conditions that allows learning to stick.Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters. Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education Sandhurst Classroom MasteryKnowledge Society Australian Education Research Organisation(AERO)Tom BennettABC 7.30 Report - School behaviour change program for disruptive classroomsExplicit Direct Instruction by John Hollingsworth and Silvia YbarraABOUT CLASSROOM MASTERYClassroom Mastery provides leaders and teachers with the knowledge, skills and strategies they need to create classroom behaviours and school culture that foster positive learning environments for all students.ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Imagine if teachers were able to save time developing learning materials from scratch. Well, with the right tools and trusted content, every teacher can focus on what matters most: their students.In this episode of Magnify Matters, we dive into curriculum design, teacher collaboration and the power of shared expertise with Caroline Reed and Dr Reid Smith, co-founders and co-CEOs of Ochre Education, a not-for-profit organisation supporting over 110,000 teachers across 90% of Australian schools.Host Tim Edwards speaks with Caroline and Reid about how Ochre Education is working to close the disadvantage gap by providing free, high-quality, evidence-informed teaching resources, and why partnering with teachers is at the heart of it all.In this episode, we explore:The origin story of Ochre Education and the values that drive its missionWhat we mean by knowledge-rich, low-variance curriculum How Ochre’s lesson creation process supports teachers as both experts and collaboratorsThe concept of intellectual preparation, responsive teaching and supporting all learnersOchre’s growing partnership with Magnify Sandhurst, and the shared vision behind it.Whether you’re a teacher, school leader or curious parent, this conversation offers deep insight into the future of curriculum and teacher development — one lesson at a time.Now stay with us as we magnify what truly matters. Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education Sandhurst  Ochre EducationABOUT OCHRE EDUCATION  Ochre Education are a national not-for-profit committed to advancing student outcomes and closing the disadvantage gap by supporting teachers to teach and enabling all Australian students to access a high-quality curriculum, through our online library.Ochre Education achieve this by working with a community of teachers to develop and support the use of an expertly-sequenced curriculum, alongside a comprehensive library that collects, curates and distributes free, evidence-based, quality-assured, and curriculum-linked teaching resources, to be adapted and used by any teacher anywhere. ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Before we teach, we need to understand how people learn — and why it matters more than ever.  In this episode of Magnify Matters, host Tim Edwards, Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching at Catholic Education Sandhurst, speaks with renowned cognitive neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath to explore how understanding the science of learning can empower teachers and transform classrooms. Jared’s work sits at the intersection of brain science and education - and his message is clear: the art of teaching is at its best when informed by the science of learning. In this episode, we explore: Why relationships are not an “add-on”, they are education.What brain science reveals about learning, memory and classroom connection. How teacher agency and curriculum design work hand in hand. Why learning must come before creativity and critical thinking. The cognitive cost of multitasking.  And the guiding principles from Jared’s bestselling book ‘Stop Talking, Start Influencing’. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader or someone curious about the future of learning, this conversation will reframe how you see teaching, students and yourself.  So with that, let’s dive in — and magnify what matters most. Mentioned in this episodeMagnify SandhurstCatholic Education Sandhurst  LME GlobalStop Talking, Start InfluencingABOUT DR JARED COONEY HORVATH  Dr Jared Cooney Horvath is a cognitive neuroscientist and educator with expertise in human learning, memory, and brain stimulation. He is the co-founder of LME Global, a company dedicated to bringing the Science of Learning to schools and learning communities worldwide. Jared has published four books, including the bestseller 'Stop Talking, Start Influencing', and has been featured in The New York Times, WIRED, and The Economist. Jared is passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory research and classroom practice, helping teachers and students achieve better outcomes through applied brain science.  ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 56 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

First episode drops Monday 28 April 2025.Welcome to Magnify Matters, a podcast proudly produced by Catholic Education Sandhurst. Magnify Sandhurst is a bold, evidence-informed initiative designed to bring system-wide improvement to teaching and learning across 51 Catholic schools in the Sandhurst Diocese. Grounded in the science of learning, Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns best, how literacy is effectively taught, and how calm, predictable classrooms can maximise learning time for every student. We’ll be sharing our story and speaking with educational leaders from our world class partners; organisations like StepLab, Ochre Education, MultiLit, the Knowledge Society and LME Global. You’ll get a front row seat to hear from respected educators as they work with us to create lasting change for every student, every teacher, every school, every day in Sandhurst. This won’t just be academic, you’ll hear from people involved at all points of the project - the joys, the trials and tribulations of those of us working together to ensure lasting learner growth across every school, for every teacher and every student, on every day. Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode. And if you’ve enjoyed what you hear, let us know by leaving a review or connecting with us online @catholiceducationsandhurst Now stay with us, as we magnify what truly matters. ABOUT MAGNIFY SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement. ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION SANDHURST Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across regional Victoria, educating more than 15,000 students. We empower regional young people, their families, our staff and communities to have 'life to the full' (John 10:10).Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.