Each quarter, leaders from The Connection schools come together to share insights, challenge thinking, and create shared understanding of successful approaches to leading schools. The gatherings are opportunities for leaders to share the depth, breadth, progress and outcomes of their work and to be inspired and informed through engagement with a network of schools,across systems and states.

The third gathering this year was a milestone event, as 70 leaders from the 8 Powerhouse Schools were joined by leaders from 18 Star Hubs schools across New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. The event opened with insights into innovation at Rooty Hill High School and Silverton Primary School, which set the stage for sharing between the schools on their own approaches to school improvement. The leaders were then engaged in a unique provocation offered by Lawrence Goldstone from PwC The Difference, and Gail and Matt Taylor, international experts in Design Thinking, who offered a range of frameworks for school leaders to think about and drive change and innovation in their contexts. Putting the concepts into action, tech leaders Atlassian then generously led a dynamic design thinking workshop – with participants creating collaborative solutions to common educational challenges.

The school leaders also enjoyed a wonderful evening by the Sydney Harbour, with a dinner featuring Michael Combs, CEO of Career Trackers, Lisa Huck, Principal UX Researcher at Atlassian and John Goh, Principal of Merrylands East Primary School in conversation about their leadership journeys, and the risks and rewards of innovating.

Some highlights from the gathering have been captured in a video from Priven Media, as well as a Storify I created about the event.

Atlassian Foundation – Workshop for Public School Leaders from Priven Media on Vimeo.