This episode of our School Assembly podcast is all about professional learning. Our Series 3 Principal Dan McShea joins us from Queensland’s Notre Dame P-12 College to share how it links back to strategic planning and key teaching and learning documents. We’ll also find out about his biggest challenge, key learning and proudest achievement since we caught up last.

At Reptile Encounters, we bring Australia’s incredible wildlife directly into classrooms. Our mobile zoo of native animals like reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds gives students the rare opportunity to experience real, living creatures, right where they learn. Through interactive, curriculum-aligned presentations, students engage their senses, deepen their scientific understanding, and build lasting emotional connections with nature.

It has been well established that student absenteeism has a negative impact on learning outcomes and other students in the class. But what about on other members of the school community, namely teaching staff? New research explores the link between student absenteeism and teacher job satisfaction. 

‘Students are uniquely placed to bring to conversations something which only they can, their lived experience of what it means to be a learner in their school.’ In today’s article, John Cleary asks if ‘student voice’ is enough, and discusses how educators can instead partner with students to ensure their voices (and views) are heard and acted upon.

The Narragunnawali Awards are held every 2 years and celebrate outstanding reconciliation initiatives. With applications open for 2025, we catch up with Kim Calabrese, Principal of Winterfold Primary School, Western Australia – winners of the 2023 Schools award.

We speak often about the importance of students having an adequate amount of food to help them focus and learn during the school day. But what about teachers? In today’s podcast special, we’re joined by Tammie Jakstas, former teacher and Accredited Practising Dietitian, to hear about her teacher nutrition study.

Megan Gilmour is the CEO and Co-founder of MissingSchool, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the educational and social needs of children who miss school because of serious illness or injury. In today’s Q&A we hear more about her work to help students stay connected to their classmates. 

We know the global teacher shortage is impacting many different school contexts, and that encouraging young people to consider a career in teaching is an important part of the long-term picture. Dr Tracy Woodroffe joins us to discuss her 12-month research project that gathered perspectives from Aboriginal students and teachers. These perspectives informed recommendations to encourage more Aboriginal young people in the Northern Territory to consider teaching.  

Last term, the 2024 recipients of the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Excellence in Science Teaching were announced. In this episode, Alice Leung and Daniel Edwards join us to share some of their favourite learning activities to run in the classroom, discuss why STEM is for everyone, and share how they use social media to connect with experts.

‘The benefits of this model of schooling are many, including the flexibility to learn from anywhere.’ Australian Christian College Victoria has launched its new virtual campus, Australian Christian College Victoria Online (ACCVO), where students ‘logged on’ to attend their virtual classes beginning Term 1, 2025.