Macedon, Victoria, Australia
I am the founder and CEO of the organisation Can't Face School. Can’t Face School supports young people who are disengaged or unable to attend mainstream schooling to re-engage in education, develop life skills, and achieve positive wellbeing and future pathways. The Can't Face School model is an evidence based wraparound approach to school engagement and attendance, and is a practical approach for schools to be trained in and to use. Can't Face School is a team of ex Principal class members, department of education school improvement managers, and school re-engagement specialists with extended experience in mental health issues and neurodiversity. We work directly with young people and create and implement individual return to school plans. We provide parents and schools with the right information, coordinate professionals making complex cases simple, re-kindle a positive relationship with their school, and lead changes to help re-engage young people in education. I bring expert knowledge in engaging young people who are at risk of disengaging from education, special needs education, mental health in education, as well as in school leadership and systems change leadership. I represent a generation of leaders as someone who has extensive travel experience across the world, taught in China, England, France and Australia, is a scholarship graduate from Melbourne University with a Master’s degree in Instructional Leadership, and led whole change projects in helping staff increase student learning outcomes. I have over 25 years experience teaching and leading in both mainstream and special school settings with a successful track record of leading whole school change projects, as well as leading systems change initiatives across the South West Victoria Region. I have led major education initiatives including Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Mental Health Reform, Tutor Learning Initiative, and addressing school attendance issues. A large portion of my work has been coaching schools in understanding how to curb student non-attendance, mental health issues in young people, improving student and staff learning and well-being, and growth coaching staff as a way to build teaching and learning capacity, as well as leadership skills in re-engaging students in their learning. Specialties: Systems change leadership, Student re-engagement, School Refusal, School leadership, School management, whole school professional development, youth mental health, teaching, student learning outcomes, special education, technology and online collaboration.
www.cantfaceschool.com.au
MTSS Coach / Student Achievement Manager / Tutor Learning Initiative / South West Victoria Region
Re-engaging young people back into education. Professional Development for educational communities on understanding mental health in schools.
InclusionMatters is a boutique consultancy that specialises in helping workplaces and schools build cultures of inclusion, through tackling the stigma and costs associated with poor mental health, low levels of resilience and instances of bullying, harassment and discrimination. Resilient, mentally healthy employees are happier and more productive. Resilient, mentally healthy students are happier, healthier and achieve greater learning outcomes. Workplaces free from discrimination, harassment and bullying are happier, more productive and healthier. We are focused on helping people, organisations and children be the very best that they can be. Major projects have included co- writing the content for an Early Intervention Secondary Schools Program for headspace.