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Registrations are now open for Adam’s 2024 workshops, designed to give teachers and school leaders the tools to embed Restorative Practices in your schools.

Transforming and enhancing your school’s culture through a focus on what really counts, Real Schools exists to build partnerships and experiences to help your school achieve its potential through Committed Teachers, Caring Students and Connected Communities.

Partnerships

Real Schools builds long term partnerships to actually shift, change, sustain and enhance productive School Culture.

Apps

We’re rolling together the best of what teachers need now and an opportunity to learn from our history… at the tip of your fingers.

Mentoring & Coaching

Real Schools innovative and transformative mentoring and coaching programs are designed for School Leaders and Assistant Principals.

Books

Find out how to erase the battle lines and foster true cooperation in ‘Restoring Teaching’; or reference the journal of 100 questions designed to achieve school awareness with ‘Real Questions for Real School Leaders’.

Blog

lots of people forming the relationship
The Art of ‘Being’

I have been listening to podcasts, doing some reading, and following radio programs – all talking about making choices to…

kindness
Kindness is Contagious

In the hustle and bustle of the modern education system, where academic achievement often takes centre stage, the value of…

Sheila Bollard
Expert Facilitator

Sheila has a deep belief that education can empower individuals to develop a love of lifelong learning which enriches the lives of students.

Her work has been recognised through a Primary Principals’ Association leadership fellowship, which included an overseas study tour, and the Sydney South Network award for cultural and pedagogical change.

Known to use a minds-on approach, her foundation for planning is always based on peer-reviewed, evidence-based research. Sheila has partnered with the University of Technology Sydney and Sydney University in leading her schools and has based success on evaluating data.

Sheila is passionate about supporting others, managing cultural change, and inspiring school leaders and teachers. She has a proven track record, that regardless of school history or complexity, every student, teacher and school can thrive and succeed.

Simon Dewar
Head of Partnerships

Since joining Real Schools, Simon’s impact on school improvement and cultural change has been significant.

He has walked alongside a considerable number of diverse school communities and helped them achieve their goals and make their ambitions a reality. His passion and expertise in implementing Restorative Practices, developing the capabilities of middle leaders and building a strong relational culture is profound.

Prior to being part of the Real Schools family, Simon spent over 20 years working in a wide variety of schools across Western Metropolitan Melbourne and in several regional towns across South-West Victoria. In all of these schools, Simon has undertaken a variety of different leadership roles, with the most significant being the 11 years he spent as the Principal of a secondary college in a country town. At the time of his appointment as Principal, Simon led the significant task of merging the two local schools to form one. For the next 10 years, he worked hard to shape the school’s culture, build strong relationships with the entire community and improve the outcomes of all students.

Simon has genuinely ‘been there’ and can empathise with the challenges facing educators and principals across Australia. He also knows the reward and feeling of getting it right.

Simon brings a strong educational background, a sound understanding of human behaviour, genuine care for young people and knowledge of the school setting to the Real Schools Team. He will support your school with the tools and strategies to help them uncover their full potential.

Simon is an extremely passionate, inspiring and dynamic person who partners with schools to empower cultural change and energise their entire school community.

Kirsty Lush
Expert Facilitator

Kirsty is a passionate educator who has spent almost twenty years in field, as a teacher, coach, school principal and university tutor.

Most recently she has worked to support leadership teams and teachers across 25 schools drive improvement while engaging in agile leadership and responsive implementation strategies.

Kirsty knows first- hand the power the school environment and, most importantly, the people in it can have on transforming the lives its students and their families. As a principal for seven years, she worked with all stakeholders to transform the school culture, embed Restorative Practices and connect the school authentically within the community.

As a mentor for new and established school principals, Kirsty has proven success in supporting leaders through various change processes and navigating a range of complex issues that arise in schools.

Kirsty, a past finalist for Principal of the Year in the SA Education Awards, is energised when working with educator teams and loves to see them grow in their expertise and understanding. Working as a critical friend with schools from all sectors is a privilege, and as a life- long learner, Kirsty really enjoys the opportunity to be curious with and learn from others.

Kirsty believes the purpose of schools is to ensure all students flourish and are successful in contributing to the world around them, and she thrives on collaborating with others to achieve this goal.

Cassie Kitani
Expert Facilitator

Cassie has spent 29 years teaching and leading internationally and across the breadth of Australia’s schools.

A Principal of high acclaim, Cassie is a recognised leader within International Schools and the International Baccalaureate Organisation, a skilled PYP unit developer, a transformer of teaching and learning, an expert in inquiry pedagogy and a fervent advocate for collaborative teams in schools.

Cassie’s experience also includes the thorough implementation of Restorative Practices in schools, driving transitions from punitive models, enhancing community connection and speaking eloquently to the embedding of positive School Cultures.

Cassie completed her Master of Education thesis in Teaching International Mindedness in 2010.

But Cassie doesn’t just talk a thoroughly impressive talk when it comes to great school experiences for all stakeholders. She works directly with teachers and students, tackles the tough topics and leaps the big hurdles.

Cassie is passionate about working with leaders to draw on their expertise and to inspire and connect with teachers. She believes deeply that building restorative and connected communities can be a powerful force for transforming School Cultures… and lives.

Discover all the benefits of joining the Real Schools Community today!