Stronger Smarter gave me a lot more focus and better tools in embarking on conversations and setting up processes between people. That was the power in it Mal McFarlane, Bowraville Central School Mal McFarlane says that at Bowraville Central School, they are seeing some great improvements for their Aboriginal students.  “We have had some wonderful HSC results and we are … Read More

We’re really proud to be a Stronger Smarter school… The community ask us ‘what’s that eagle shirt you wear? Tell us about that’…they all know the eagle. Wendy King, Assistant Principal, Casino Public School Wendy’s story is told in collaboration with University of Queensland Social Science researcher Madeleine McGovern This is an edited version of Madeleine’s interview. I spoke to … Read More

“You’ll be successful in any context if you can build strong relationships from the get go. For me Stronger Smarter has been all about being able to connect with a diverse range of people and building relationships with those people regardless of their cultural background” Dave Hartley, Deputy Principal, Coomera Springs State School Dave Hartley is a Barunggam man with … Read More

In 2015, the Northern Bay P-12 College Koorie Education Team, led by Carrie Tinning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Coordinator, won the Victorian Education Excellence Award for Outstanding Koorie Education. “‘In the back of my mind I’m always thinking ‘how am I making these kids strong and smart’ Carrie Tinning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Coordinator, Northern Bay … Read More

“The whole Stronger Smarter philosophy and approach underpins what we do for our kids in our school, whether they’re Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal” Steve McAlister, Principal, Forbes North Public School When Steve McAlister first heard about the Stronger Smarter Leadership Program, he didn’t think it would be relevant to him. At the time he was working in a small school with no … Read More

“I do believe we’ve come together a lot more since we started training at Stronger Smarter, and we get a lot of parents’ feedback saying that we are a school that really does understand community, and that they feel comfortable and welcome.” Michael Taylor, Principal, Casino West Public School With enough momentum, the smallest stone can propel ripples of change … Read More

“I think the idea of High-Expectations Relationships and not colluding with low expectations is something that will be in the school forever.” Peter Flannery, Principal, Ballina Public School Ballina Public School’s Principal, Peter Flannery, describes what ‘Stronger Smarter’ would look like to anyone visiting his school on the New South Wales northern coast. “What you’d see is kids getting on … Read More

At Swan Hill Primary, we value the relationship between home and school. Research tells us that school is a place for building relationships with the whole family. – Janet Barnard Swan Hill Primary School, situated on the traditional lands of the Wemba Wemba people on the banks of the Murray River four hours from Melbourne, is a diverse learning hub of … Read More

 ‘It’s important that we send the message loud and clear that we are a Stronger Smarter school, and that’s what we’re doing here. And it has been successful, there’s no doubt about it…’ – Judd Burgess   As the new Principal of Aitkenvale State School in North Queensland, Judd Burgess saw an opportunity to move the school forward by using Stronger … Read More

By Peter King. Principal, Byron Bay High School; Leadership Program graduate 2011. “He does not believe, that does not live according to his belief”. Fuller 1732 If you ever doubted Chris Sarra’s courage or the strength of his conviction then you can refresh your memory by reading his autobiography “Good Morning Mr Sarra”. As a teenager Chris was more into … Read More