School Culture is a topic on the lips of most contemporary Australian School Leaders. And while most agree on the importance of culture, few are clear or in agreement on what school culture actually is. In this presentation, Adam will provide a simple and practical definition of School Culture and provide an insight into a framework that can be implemented easily and efficiently in schools to support their culture. Adam’s contention is that an upgraded version of practicing restoratively – that he calls RP2.0 – is the key to creating a learning environment where all stakeholders can thrive and where the wellbeing of the staff is both respected and nurtured.

Adam’s research and observations into School Culture Leadership have led him to synthesise the behaviours that are most common in leaders that succeed in developing cultures where stakeholders thrive — and they might not be the behaviours you’re expecting. Beyond the usual catchphrases and quotes about what great leaders should aspire to are some far more simple practices that you can ritualise and be renowned for. The demonstration of these behaviours then becomes something we can reflect upon and adjust with daily ease. And of course, you then need to know how to reflect for those adjustments rather than for pointless personal judgements. In this session, Adam will leave you with contemporary insights into how exemplary leaders conduct themselves, with a bias for you being able to make small, powerful behavioural shifts immediately.

Teaching and School Leadership isn’t easy at the moment. Amidst converging challenges like teacher shortages, expanding workloads, parental mistrust and student conduct issues, it can be hard to remember why we signed up for this profession sometimes. But there’s a better way for us to meet these challenges. Practicing restoratively is an opportunity for a new level of teacher effect, reduced stress levels, meaningful work and elevated impact. And even better – it engages the students at an exponentially higher level. Sound good? This presentation is packed with practicality, provocation, laughter and story. Best of all, you’ll leave with strategies you can use with success immediately.

In this highly engaging 60-minute collaborative workshop, Adam will walk participants through everything you wished you knew about why students do what they do in learning environments. The key to strategising successfully in the classroom is to fully understand your context, your students and what exactly is happening in their brains. What will surprise you is how small the resultant shifts are and how significant the return can be for teachers. Even when we encounter students who present as lazy, irresponsible or disrespectful – improvement is within your reach.

Do you remember a time when a School Leader’s job seemed simple and straight forward? It was, you know… to lead the school! But somewhere across the years we absorbed an inordinate number of ancillary responsibilities as educators and now it can feel as though we’re not specialising, making a difference in what matters or even working in our purpose. That needs to stop. This high-energy and provocative presentation will challenge you to re-imagine your school leadership as a leader of school culture. That really can be your ‘one job’ if we get clear on what culture is, how it underpins every school objective, how it promotes strong practice, optimises wellbeing and why it’s the practical work you were born to do in your school every single day.