Small school, big impact bite-size strategies for leading curriculum

Unpack strategies such as checks for understanding, explicit teaching, data triangulation and collaborative practice to strengthen student learning outcomes as part of curriculum implementation. Michelle and Bianca's conversation highlights the leadership mindset required to embrace change, model sustainable practice, and build collective efficacy across schools.

Explore how small schools can navigate curriculum change through purposeful collaboration, planning, implementation and reflection through Michelle and Bianca's experience. Hear how Assistant Principal, Curriculum and Instruction (AP C&I) teams, communities of schools and the NSW Department of Education phases of curriculum implementation resources can strengthen teacher practice and build collective efficacy. Discover practical approaches that help schools contextualise curriculum implementation to meet the needs of their setting. Most importantly, explore the leadership shift that supports schools to move beyond managing change toward continuous improvement.

Delve into the realities of implementing curriculum across a community of schools, with a focus on how explicit teaching can drive improved practice. Revisiting the Thunderbolt Alliance, this episode explores how schools collaborated on professional learning, using technology to bridge distance and strengthen collective impact. Hear how a full cycle of learning intentions and success criteria (LISC) was implemented across similar school contexts, and what made it work. Take away practical “Ignition Ideas” you can apply in your own school from tomorrow.

Step into a conversation with the four teaching principals of the Thunderbolt Alliance as they join Michelle Tregoning to unpack what it really means to engage with syllabuses. Jenna, Dani, Sarah and Tim share honest reflections from their leadership journeys, drawing on their experiences as Assistant Principals Curriculum and Instruction. Listen as they explore how these experiences translate into stronger engagement and practical insights with real-world stories that listeners can connect with.

Michelle Tregoning, Leader K–12 Initiatives, Hannah Crawford, Teaching Principal (Niangala Public School) and Erin McShane, K–6 English Advisor discuss embedding English in a small school. Listen to them share stories about specific syllabus changes and the importance of vocabulary, especially in written and oral language. Catch the ignition ideas that principals and teachers can reflect on and use tomorrow.

Michelle Tregoning, Leader K–12 Initiatives and Wendy Robb, Teaching Principal (Girilambone Public School), walk us through embedding Mathematics in a small school. Listen to their stories of pedagogy, building teacher capability and engaging students. Catch our ending with the ignition ideas that principals and teachers can reflect on and use tomorrow.