Our team at Improving Schools Australia brings together a unique blend of school based experiences across every aspect of schooling. We understand how schools operate and the roadblocks that can easily occur. We share a common passion for student development, for learning and for quality teaching.
Each of us genuinely believe that it is possible in the school setting for there to be continuous improvement for everyone, every way, every day.
We look forward to walking beside you and assisting your school improvement journey.
Dr Andre Van Zyl (Managing Director & Principal Consultant)
Andrè possesses a unique combination of curriculum, teaching, learning, senior leadership, business and financial skills in the business and education sectors. His passion is to provide governors, senior leaders and management with improvement frameworks to enable quality governance practices, scenario building processes leading to high level strategy formulation through authentic leadership of executable and effective tactical plans which create value through coaching and mentoring of stakeholders. These aspects, coupled with annual Board evaluations, Board selection and training, and financial sustainability assessments, allow directors of governing bodies to govern with confidence and thus enabling principals and school leaders to improve their schools through effectively leading their schools into the future whilst producing strong academic outcomes and providing quality holistic development for all students in their care.
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Garth Hunt (Consultant)
Garth has over 35 years of extensive teaching experience, primarily as a teacher of Health Education and Physical Education, before taking on a variety of roles as a senior leader and Principal in a range of Queensland Lutheran Schools. He enjoys travel, family, lifelong learning and literature. Garth is also a devout follower of the Queensland Reds. In later years his particular interest in improving student learning outcomes has focused on exploring understandings of how to create a culture of high expectations for all members of the learning community; to better clarify what is to be taught and learnt; and to recognise, celebrate and improve quality teaching practices. Garth also has a role as an external reviewer focusing on school improvement.
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Bruce Hodges (Consultant)
Bruce has had a breadth and depth of experience across both state and private systems as a teacher and a leader for more than 30 years. His additional roles as a behaviour support specialist, boarding house tutor and leader and leadership roles in major sport areas have been supplemented with 10 years experience as a business owner in the fitness and sport promotion fields. Bruce has worked in both single sex and coeducational school environments and has been fortunate in recent times to work with schools across Australia and around the world as a
consultant and researcher. Bruce continues to learn from colleagues and students and has a passion for improved learning and wellbeing.
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Ken Swan (Consultant)
Ken has been involved in Queensland education for over 30 years. During this time he has had positions as teacher, deputy principal and principal, as well as being a manager for several years at the Queensland School Curriculum Council and Queensland Studies Authority, specialising in curriculum and assessment development in the K-10 years of learning. Ken has also worked as a university lecturer and course developer, and has recently been a consultant for a national Indigenous education-based organisation.
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