In this episode of Reinventing Education, Rob and Brendan explore teacher planning and collaborative planning in a counsellor-centred school, where planning emerges from what is happening in the moment rather than being imposed in advance.

They discuss planning as a reflective process — making sense of what has already occurred, surfacing ideas and misconceptions, and responding to the interests and needs of individuals and the group. Planning becomes a way of offering provocations, questions, and possibilities for what comes next, rather than a fixed script to be followed.

Informed by shared philosophy, mission, and vision — alongside broader pedagogical models and inquiry cycles — collaboration is continuous and embedded in the culture. Teachers are in constant dialogue, new educators are closely supported through counselling and community, and competition gives way to collective growth.

By drawing fully on students, staff, parents, and the wider community, learning becomes more connected, more meaningful, and more holistic — developing students’ approaches to learning, from critical thinking to personal wellbeing. It’s complex, with many moving parts and few certainties, but it’s a way of planning that dances with the known while staying open to what’s emerging.

Let us know what you think.