In this episode, Suzy chats with Michael Turner & Christy Smith.

Michael Turner: Director of Wellbeing

As a member of the Leadership Team, Michael oversees all aspects of Wellbeing at the College, including the STRIVE program, their wellbeing model.

Christy Smith: Leader of Positive Education

Christy's main role is to develop, promote, and implement a sustainable model of Positive Education through STRIVE.

In this episode, Suzy chats with Toni Kirton & Sue Walduck.

Toni Kirton: Director of Positive Education and Leadership

Toni Kirton is the Director of Positive Education and Leadership at A.B. Paterson College, an Independent School on the northern end of the Gold Coast. Toni is responsible for the development of Positive Education, Service Learning, Student Leadership, Staff Wellness and Community Engagement across the Prep to Year 12 campus of the College. The Director of Positive Education and Leadership works closely with the Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation and the Director of Teacher Development and Effectiveness to ensure the seamless integration of the principles of positive psychology with our teaching and learning practices underpinned by the work of Harvard Graduate School of Education, John Hattie and Robert Marzano.

Toni commenced at A.B Paterson College in 2014 as the Career and Guidance Counsellor. She has held various positions in both State and Independent schools including Year Level Co-ordinator, Student Advisor and School Counsellor. Toni considers herself a lifelong learner, which is evidenced by her commitment to her professional development, having completed a Master of Education, majoring in Educational Leadership, and a Master of Educational Studies, majoring in Guidance and Counselling.

Sue Walduck: Director of Teacher Development and Effectiveness

The Director of Teacher Development and Effectiveness is responsible for the induction of all new teachers at A.B. Paterson College ensuring their understanding of the Teaching for Understanding framework and their UEH (Understanding, Effect and Humanity) coaching program. In addition, Sue works with teachers new to educating in Queensland, with their submission of a portfolio for full registration with the Queensland College of Teachers.

Sue joined A.B. Paterson College most recently in 2020 during the online learning period when most students were working from home. She was however very familiar with the A.B Community as she had worked there from 2001 to 2007 and then again in 2011. Sue has held various positions, inclusive of: Head of House, Head of Faculty, Coordinator of International Programs and the Director of Staff in Independent Schools throughout Queensland.

Sue has a strong passion for people and culture evidenced through completed Masters level studies in Human Resources.

In this episode, Suzy chats with Sean Riordan & Susie Ahern.

Sean Riordan:

Deputy Headmaster - Head of Senior School and Student Wellbeing (P-12). Dip Teach (QUT), Grad Dip Bus Comm (QUT), MEd Leadership (ACU/BC)

Sean is a passionate educator who has held leadership roles across multiple sectors. Sean’s focus is on staff development, overseeing all elements of professional practice, including the College’s Partnership Coaching program, professional learning, performance planning and career development. Sean is further charged with making connections with organisations, such as higher education institutions, that can provide valuable opportunities for our staff and students. Sean enjoys teaching English, and Philosophy and Reason, as well as connecting with students through roles in boarding, rugby and tennis. Sean is committed to providing opportunities for Social Action, having recently led a group of students on an Indigenous Immersion experience to Cape York.

Susie Ahern: Director of Positive Education and Wellbeing

With almost 40 years in education, Susie has researched, designed, and culturally aligned a number of Pre-prep to Year 12 Positive Education programs that sit as purpose-built Pastoral Care and Wellbeing frameworks. The frameworks draw on science to enhance core components of wellbeing and aim to produce well-rounded and resilient individuals who are capable of thriving personally, academically, and professionally and, who are well-equipped to contribute to society in a satisfying and meaningful way.

Susie started her educational journey as a Physical Education teacher after completing her tertiary training at James Cook University in North Queensland. She went on to complete a several Positive Education trainings through the Institute of Positive Education; a Certificate in Positive Psychology (CiPP) under tutelage of Tal Ben-Shahar at the Whole-being Institute as well as completing a number of Certificates in Applied Positive Psychology through Positive Difference.

Susie has worked passionately, with a number of schools, both here and abroad, to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the language and psychological benefits of a culturally aligned wellbeing framework that encourage all members of an educational community to live a grateful and purposeful life.

In this episode Suzy chats with Emily Sayer & Paul Belton.

Emily Sayer

Emily has worked in Catholic Education in South Australia since 1986 in a variety of school settings and has always had a strong passion and commitment to the wellbeing and social-emotional development of children. Her roles have included class teacher, counsellor, Assistant Principal in Religious Identity and Mission, Head of Primary, Deputy Principal and Principal.

In 2020, Emily was one of the drivers for implementing Positive Psychology at St Paul’s College through a strong partnership with The Positivity Institute. Whilst Emily is no longer at St Paul’s College, she continues to bring her passion for Positive Education and strong wellbeing initiatives to her work at St Monica’s Parish School, Walkerville.

Paul Belton

Paul is in his 7th year as Principal at St Paul’s and has had 27 years of Senior Leadership experience, including 5 as CEO of an SANFL Football Club. Paul has a B.Ed (Phys. Ed) and an MBA and is married with 6 children and 13 grandchildren!

In this episode Suzy hats with Rhiannon McGee of Geelong Grammar School.

Rhiannon McGee

Rhiannon McGee is the Director of Student Engagement and Experience at Geelong Grammar School, leading the school’s wellbeing strategy across four campuses and overseeing its Indigenous programs. Rhiannon commenced her time at GGS as Head of Positive Education and prior to this, she held a range of wellbeing leadership positions in other schools. Most recently, as Director of Wellbeing and Positive Education at Loreto Toorak, where she oversaw the development and implementation of a whole-school approach to Positive Education. Rhiannon is passionate about the promotion of community wellbeing and she is committed to strengthening the nexus between research, policy and practice in the educational context. This has led her to complete the Masters of Education (Student Wellbeing) and the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Rhiannon is also an English teacher with an interest in the arts, philosophy and politics.

In this episode Suzy chats with Shana Bennett & Alex Dighton of Sacred Heart College, SA.

Shana Bennett, Deputy Principal

In Shana's 25 year career as a catholic educator, she has taught and led in both Primary and Secondary School settings. Her leadership experience includes Deputy Principal and Principal positions in both diocesan and non-diocesan Schools. In more recent years, she was a key leader in the amalgamation of Sacred Heart College and Marymount College. In her current position as Deputy Principal of Sacred Heart College, Shana works across both the Marcellin (Years 10-12) and Champagnat (Years 7-9) Campuses and also supports the leadership of the College Boarding House. 

As a passionate educator Shana believes that education is in the midst of a great paradigm shift – a time when learning rather than teaching is the focus. Shana recognises the importance of preparing young people for a life in which they can grow as individuals and where contributing to the local and global world has never been more important. Shana hold a Bachelor of Teaching, Bachelor of Education and Master of Catholic Education (all through UNISA).

Alex Dighton, Head of Marcellin Campus.

Alex has been an educator for the past 13 years after an earlier career in Government and Public Relations. Alex has held a number of educational leadership roles including Deputy Principal, Director of Students and House Leader. In his current role as Head of Marcellin Campus, Alex is a member of the College Executive and has responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Marcellin Campus (Years 10-12).

Alex has a special interest in student wellbeing and the strong connection between wellbeing and learning. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Public Policy, a Bachelor of Education and is currently completing a Master of Educational Leadership.

Dr. William DeJean is the founder of Unleash Learning (www.unleash- learning.com), an evidence-based teaching and learning system that makes learning stick for everyone. 

William, who holds a Doctorate in Education, brings many lenses to the schools he works with. He has taught at universities in the United States and Australia, he is an internationally recognised researcher, he consults across a range of schools, networks and regions throughout Australia and the US, and he is a sought-after keynote speaker, including appearances at TEDx Canberra, Happiness and It’s Causes and the Young Minds Conference.

William’s is the author of the book Unleash Learning and the host of Unleash Learning TV.

His latest book, Make Learning Stick For Everyone, is out now!  

In this episode, William and Suzy chat about:

1. What brought William to Positive Education
2. Why 'making learning stick' is so important for wellbeing
3. Why we need a diversity literacy in education
4. William's greatest learnings in creating flourishing students, schools and communities.

Interested in implementing Positive Education? Learn more about The Positivity Institute's services here - https://www.thepositivityinstitute.com.au/school/.

Daniela Falecki, is the founder of Teacher Wellbeing, known as the “keep-it-real” teacher. Specialising in Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology with more than 20 years’ experience in government and independent schools in Australia.

You can find out more about Daniela's work here - https://www.teacher-wellbeing.com.au/.

Suzy and Daniela chat about:

• Daniela’s experience working with teachers through her business
• The importance of wellbeing literary and reflective skills for teachers
• The importance of promoting staff wellbeing
• Daniela's 'Road-Map' to navigating wellbeing

Interested in implementing Positive Education? Learn more about The Positivity Institute's services here - https://www.thepositivityinstitute.com.au/school/.