Philanthropy and Schools by Independent Schools Queensland

Parent engagement is widely considered one of the last levers to be pulled in education in terms of improving school performance and increasing student, staff and parent wellbeing.

In this episode of The School Bell, we speak with Amanda Watt about the work she and her team are doing to enhance connections between families and schools as part of her role as the Executive Director of the Queensland Independent Schools Parent Network.

Amanda discusses what the QIS Parents Network does, what parent engagement is and looks like in specific school settings, the landmark findings from their longitudinal research project and how schools can effectively and sustainably engage parents.

We also hear from two independent school teachers from Fairholme College and Samford Valley Steiner School discussing the small but significant tweaks they’ve made to their communication with parents which has led to tangible benefits for them, their students and parents.

Wendy Mills is a clinical nurse and Ed-LinQ Coordinator which comes under the Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. Wendy joins The School Bell to discuss mental health and wellbeing, the support Ed-LinQ provides to schools and how ISQ is working with Ed-LinQ on behalf of the sector. Practical strategies for schools, teachers and parents on how to manage young peoples’ screen use is also discussed.

Rarely in recent history has school leader and staff mental health and wellbeing been so tested as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prof Donna Cross discusses school leader and staff wellbeing as a critical factor for student success. In her recent research report, School Leaders’ and Staff Wellbeing is Critical for Student Success, Prof Cross presents an evidence-based perspective on what promotes or erodes school staff wellbeing, which is one of the first in Australia to make links to student wellbeing.

Louka Parry works globally as a speaker, learning strategist and education futurist. In this podcast, Louka discusses the need for a critical rethink of contemporary schooling to break the engagement epidemic turning students off learning, and a reboot that extends far beyond a couple of tweaks to curriculum.

Felicity Furey skyrocketed to the top to lead some of Australia’s most innovative mega infrastructure projects. Her engineering mindset is primed to help school leaders reignite performance, reframe challenges as opportunities and redefine what’s possible in the future of business and leadership. She will discuss the impact teams can have when experienced workers collaborate with millennials and younger staff.

Dr Barbara Watterston is a respected Australian author, leadership researcher and professional learning facilitator. In this episode, Barbara encourages aspiring female leaders in Queensland independent schools to break down gendered stereotypes of leaders and challenge their own perceptions and expectations.

Barbara has undertaken extensive research on school and system leadership and more recently unpacked how successful female leaders have overcome external and internal barriers to occupy decision-making roles in schools.

She says, “The message behind all of this, for all of us, men and women, whatever gender you are, is to create your own unique perspective of leadership that works for you, that is authentic for you and allows your strengths to flourish, but equally knowing where your challenges are and having those guides on the side and other key mentors to support you in that role.”

Dr Andreas Richter is a Reader in Organisational Behaviour at Cambridge Judge Business School. Andreas joins The School Bell to discuss the key factors essential to transformational leadership, how soft skills can help leaders prepare for and manage change effectively, and gives listeners practical tips to motivate, develop and inspire their team, especially during times of crisis.

Dr Jill Willis is Associate Professor from the Faculty of Education, School of Teacher Education and Leadership at Queensland University of Technology.

Dr Willis works with ISQ’s Highly Accomplished and Lead (HALT) teachers and is researching the outcomes of the HALT program.

In this episode we discuss...

• World Teachers Day message for teachers

• Dr Willis’s background re her career

• How teaching profession has changed

• Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers

• ISQ HALT certification

• Research findings from ISQ HALT program

• HALT process finds teachers more time and professional renewal

• Importance of the Principal in the ISQ HALT process

• Next phase of Dr Willis’s research

• What parents and community need to know about HALT

• Final message for all teachers and educators in COVID-19 dominated 2020

Dr Linda Willis is a senior lecturer at Griffith University and a leading expert on the impact of parent engagement on student outcomes. In this podcast, Dr Willis discusses the difference between involvement and engagement with parents, and how the recent pandemic has changed the way schools connect with families.