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 (Executive Chair, Director & Principal Consultant)
Andrè possesses a unique combination of curriculum, teaching, learning, senior executive leadership, business, cybersecurity 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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Heather Grundy (Director & Senior Consultant)
As a former Principal, leading schools through intensive inspections, I have developed strong assessment skills, using the relevant inspection criteria and matching schools’ current conditions, while identifying areas for rapid improvement. My passion centres around identifying and creating school improvement, from whatever the starting place. My leadership skills have been honed in the most challenging educational environments, with a wealth of leadership knowledge, experience and strategies to engage all stakeholders in change and to improve outcomes for learners.
My educational experience as a school leader, both as a substantive Principal and as an Interim Principal within my own consultancy company, includes raising student achievement, improving student and staff attendance, significant re-structures of staff and rapid improvements of financial management. My key strengths include identifying those aspects of a failing school and in creating solutions to rapidly bring that school to success for all its learners.
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