Thank you to all our Stronger Smarter Leadership Program (SSLP) alumni who have responded to our Stronger Smarter Census over the years.    In the 2022 Stronger Smarter Census, a total of 788 SSLP alumni responded, representing 18% of our total SSLP alumni.  Respondents were in various roles, with 29% in school leadership positions. The results show that educators are making … Read More

On February 13th, 2008, Kevin Rudd, in an incremental step towards reconciliation, delivered the landmark formal apology Australian Indigenous peoples. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their … Read More

The Institute was proud to be a part of the Kuwa Circles program that is opening new doors for young First Nations women seeking careers in STEM.  In November 2022, 25 young women graduated in a special ceremony at Government House in Adelaide.  This group of Junior participants were supported by 10 Senior participants employed as mentors.  The Kuwa (the … Read More

While many relish the public holiday and various associated activities, not everyone sees January 26th as a reason to celebrate. Some First Nations Australians refer to January 26 as “Invasion Day” while to others it is “Survival Day”.   In fact, the number of people choosing to celebrate it specifically are declining (if you trust media polls). This year there are … Read More

SSI Senior Program Officer, Nicole Simone, reflects on how educators can work in the third cultural space.  With an education system based on western knowledges systems, First Nations students are often expected to ‘code switch’ and leave their rich Indigenous Knowledges behind at the school gate.    In the Stronger Smarter Approach, we ask educators to make a deliberate choice to … Read More

 87% of participants said that after attending the SSLP, they had changed the way they promote high expectations and positive student identity on an ongoing basis.   Thank you to all our SSLP alumni who responded to the 2022 Stronger Smarter Census.   We always love hearing about the great work that alumni are doing around the country to enhance outcomes for … Read More

Whether using data in schools or in research, the Stronger Smarter Approach tells us we must take a strength-based approach.  When we move away from the idea that data is about accountability, and approach data with the key goals of equity and continuous improvement, this sets the direction for how we frame issues, what data we seek and how we … Read More

Stronger Smarter Leadership Program alumni tell us they leave the program motivated to make both personal changes to workplace practice and to bring others along with them on a change journey.  When we surveyed alumni in our 2020 Census, 80% of respondents told us that they had taken the implementation of the Stronger Smarter Approach (SSA) beyond their personal practice … Read More

Our alumni tell us that one of the most important concepts they take away from the Stronger Smarter Leadership Program is High-Expectations Relationships. All teachers believe in high expectations. However, if high expectations sit only in the performance frame, students who fail to meet the expected level at the expected time get left behind. High-Expectations Relationships, developed by Dr Chris Sarra, … Read More

Stronger Smarter Institute’s former Chief of Impact, Jesse King, reflects on National Science Week 2022: Glass: More than meets the eye from the perspective of Indigenous STEM Education. The theme of National Science Week 2022: Glass: More than meets the eye, gave gave me an opportunity to reflect on working in Indigenous STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) Education. More … Read More