Episodes

  • Jeremy Hannay on counter-cultural leadership for happy, high-performing schools

    Jeremy Hannay on counter-cultural leadership for happy, high-performing schools
    Apr 4 2026
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Jeremy Hannay about counter-cultural leadership, navigating the pace of change, and how to pursue happiness and high performance at the same time. Jeremy is Executive Principal of Three Bridges Primary School and Wolf Fields Primary School in Southall, London. Originally from Canada, he has spent over a decade leading in one of the world’s most high-stakes education systems while advocating for a more human, growth-centred approach to school improvement. A former Pearson National Headteacher of the Year, he speaks and writes internationally about leadership, learning and how to grow strong schools without being defined by performance-driven systems. Want to know more? - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    45 mins
  • Paul Kidson on sustainable and hopeful school leadership

    Paul Kidson on sustainable and hopeful school leadership
    Feb 28 2026
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Associate Professor Paul Kidson about leadership in schools that is hopeful, sustainable and personalised. Paul leads Educational Leadership postgraduate courses at the Australian Catholic University. He is one of the researchers on Australia’s largest and longest running principal wellbeing research project, the Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety, and Wellbeing Survey, as well as a frequent media commentator on educational matters. He has co-designed several aspiring principals and middle leadership programs in both the government and non-government sectors. Prior to his academic career, he was a school principal for over 11 years. In addition to his academic qualifications and experience, he is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Institute for Managers and Leaders, and is currently President of the NSW Branch, and National Board member, of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. Want to know more? - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    50 mins
  • Amanda Bell on leadership and governance in schools

    Amanda Bell on leadership and governance in schools
    Jan 31 2026
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Amanda Bell AM about leadership and governance in schools. Amanda is a highly experienced leader, an accomplished non-executive director and strategic facilitator whose advisory work concentrates on strategic futures, leadership development and masterclasses for boards, CEOs and senior managers. She holds several board directorships and is past Principal of The Women’s College within the University of Sydney. Amanda was appointed a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD), the Australian College of Educators (FACE) and the Australian Institute of Management (FAIM). She was recognised in The Queen’s Birthday 2017 Honours List as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to education, particularly to young women as a leader and academic, and to the visual arts. Want to know more? - https://futureleadership.com.au/team/amanda-bell/ - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    47 mins
  • Erica McWilliam on joy and challenge in learning and teaching

    Erica McWilliam on joy and challenge in learning and teaching
    Dec 10 2025
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Professor Erica McWilliam AM about the joy in the rigour of learning, reclaiming the magic of teaching, and the importance of knowing. Erica is an internationally recognised scholar of pedagogy and creativity, whose career spans more than forty years. Moving from classroom teaching to senior academic roles in Australia and Singapore, Erica is known for her work on innovation, futures of work, and ‘low threat, high challenge’ approaches to learning. She has led major research programs, including the Creative Workforce 2.0 initiative, and is the author of The Creative Workforce. Her contributions to education were recognised with the award of a Member of the Order of Australia. Want to know more? - https://www.qut.edu.au/about/our-people/academic-profiles/e.mcwilliam Join the conversation on social media. - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    49 mins
  • Gert Biesta on teaching and the beautiful risk of education

    Gert Biesta on teaching and the beautiful risk of education
    Nov 1 2025
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Professor Gert Biesta about teaching, knowledge and the purpose of education. Gert is Professor of Public Education at the Centre for Public Education and Pedagogy, Maynooth University. His work on the theory and philosophy of education is translated into over 20 languages, covering key interests such as curriculum, teaching, teacher education, democracy, and citizenship education. Gert’s books include 'Beyond Learning', 'The Beautiful Risk of Education', 'The Rediscovery of Teaching', and 'World-Centred Education'. Want to know more? - https://www.gertbiesta.com/ Join the conversation on social media. - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    44 mins
  • Adrian Camm on principalship, self-transformation and AI

    Adrian Camm on principalship, self-transformation and AI
    Sep 27 2025
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Dr Adrian Camm about principalship, self-transformation, innovation in schools and the possibilities of AI for education. Adrian is the Principal of Westbourne Grammar School in Melbourne, where he leads with a future-focused philosophy grounded in purpose, human connection, and deep learning. A Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and with a PhD from Deakin University, Adrian is passionate about transforming education so that schools remain relevant and empowering in an era of rapid change. He is recognised for his work in curriculum innovation and use of emerging technologies, and recently won the Principal of the Year Award in the Australian Education Awards. He is the co-host of the Principal’s Perspective podcast. Want to know more? - https://www.adriancamm.com Join the conversation on social media. - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    51 mins
  • Kristen Douglas on supporting wellbeing and mental health in schools

    Kristen Douglas on supporting wellbeing and mental health in schools
    Aug 30 2025
    Deborah Netolicky talks with Kristen Douglas about mental health challenges in schools and society, and how educators can support themselves and the children and families in their communities. Kristen has a Bachelor and Master of Education and over 30 years’ experience in the education, health, mental health, suicide, in not for profit and government sectors. Kristen has significantly contributed to the synergy between education and mental health in Australia. From guiding government policy to leading transformational change and national reform. Kristen has led many national and state initiatives in the critical areas of whole school approach, youth mental health, principal leader mental health and wellbeing. She has authored several national resources and frameworks and specialises in the impact of suicide, complex events, trauma, and natural disasters on schools and communities and how they respond and recover. Want to know more? - https://headspace.org.au/ - https://beyou.edu.au/ Join the conversation on social media. - Kristen: @kd_wellbeing on Instagram - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    50 mins
  • Episode 50: Deborah Netolicky and Mathew Irving in an ‘Edu Salon X EdLeaders’ collab

    Episode 50: Deborah Netolicky and Mathew Irving in an ‘Edu Salon X EdLeaders’ collab
    Jul 5 2025
    In this special 50th episode of The Edu Salon podcast, Deborah Netolicky hosts a collaboration between The Edu Salon and EdLeaders Australia podcasts. Mathew Irving co-host of EdLeaders, joins Deb in a broad ranging and candid conversation about school principalship, leadership, transitions, finding professional nourishment and sustaining wellbeing. Want to know more? - EdLeaders Australia podcast https://www.edleaders.com.au/podcast Join the conversation: - Deb: @theeeduflaneuse on Instagram - The Edu Salon: @theedusalon on Instagram
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    49 mins