What's your role at Knox?

I am the Deputy Headmaster 7-12 – Academics. My job involves leadership of the Heads of Department and a Teaching and Learning Team. I am responsible for the curriculum, professional learning and accreditation of staff. My core focus is bringing the academic program within the Knox Total Fitness Model to life and delivering excellent classroom experiences for our boys that nourish wellbeing and build skills for the future.

How long have you been with the School?

Since Term 2, 2016 (almost eight years).

What does a typical day look like for you?

I teach my Year 12 Economics class which I love doing. I am typically involved in meetings focused on our Strategic Direction, I engage with Heads of Department in meetings, I work with People and Culture to assess staffing needs and I spend a lot of time collaborating with others about plans for the following year and for our Strategic Direction.

What three things do you love most about working at Knox?

Being able to work with our fantastic students (especially my Economics class), being able to have conversations and witness the brilliant work of our passionate staff each day and the ongoing search for excellence and innovation that exists within the extraordinary traditions we have developed.

What or who inspired you to pursue a career in education?

I think I had some great teachers at school whom I respected greatly. I can't recall an exact moment other than a feeling that working with young people to enhance their futures would make for a wonderful career.

What part of your role do you gain the most joy?

I still think my classroom experience brings the most joy for me each day. Working with motivated young men discussing the modern economy is great fun.

Why did you join Knox?

I came to Knox after a long career as a Head of Department in a variety of school settings. I joined to lead Professional Learning. It was something new and I needed a change from my previous roles. Knox has taken a progressive approach to PL and the willingness of staff to engage with their own practice and consider continuous improvement has definitely been inspiring.

What is the secret to good teaching and inspiring our young people?

Good teaching involves a deep understanding of core principles of evidence-based pedagogy that we know helps young people learn. As part of that, the best teachers build a welcoming, warm classroom environment that caters for the needs of all learners.

What achievement are you most proud of from your time at Knox so far?

Probably the great results that we have achieved as a team of teachers in Economics over the last six years. We have really enhanced outcomes for our boys in Stage 6.

What’s your leadership style and why have you found this to be successful?

I try to be an authentic leader, to lead morally and justly in all contexts. I also like the work of Greenleaf and the idea that the servant leader seeks to see growth and development in others. I try to engage people’s voice in decision-making and think adaptive leadership is an important leadership trait that we need to innovate, change and adapt as external changes are more frequent and disruptive.

What impact do you hope to leave on your students?

I would like them to look back on our classes and say that they enjoyed coming to my class and that they learnt not only knowledge but skills and dispositions that helped them beyond school.

What is the biggest challenge facing the education sector at the moment? What would you like to see in the future or how do you intend to help fix the problem?

Inequality of access and outcomes. We are very privileged at Knox but our system lacks equity and the inequality in the education sector may reinforce ongoing inequality in society. Artificial intelligence probably runs a close second.

Who are you outside of Knox?

I love playing golf and try to get out most weekends. I also enjoy following the Swans and try to get to most home games during the winter. Apart from that I enjoy catching up with friends and family.

Share one fun fact that people might not know about you.

I was born on a Friday the 13th and my mother always reminded me that it was an omen.

What advice would you give to anyone joining Knox?

I would encourage new employees to simply enjoy the opportunity that a large school provides to staff to collaborate, to explore career growth, to learn more about their practice and to take advantage of the opportunity we have to teach young men who are so keen to learn and grow.