Masterclass provides solutions for system leaders in schools

The Academy’s Professional Learning Partnerships team recently hosted a series of masterclasses as part of the WISE: System Leaders program. This initiative brought together over 70 system leaders, including Senior Improvement Education Leaders, network chairs and network executives from across Victoria.

As part of the 2024 WISE program, which focused on leading collaborative improvement through the communities of practice, system leaders were joined by Dr Simon Breakspear and Distinguished Emeritus Professor Viviane Robinson.

Viviane shared her expertise of the systematic inquiry process Collaborative Complex Problem Solving which is at the heart of the Academy’s Leadership Excellence Framework (ALEF).

This process helps system leaders recognise their inquiry into complex problems with a vision to work towards a solution that can be applied in practice in their school settings.

Angela Pollard, Senior Education Improvement Leader, shared her learnings from the WISE masterclass during a school review and how it supported leaders to identify causes previously not considered.

Simone Eirth, the Academy’s Principal in Residence (PIR) said on reflection that, ‘Listening to Viviane share her extensive knowledge of Collaborative Complex Problem Solving and the leader dispositions needed to do this work effectively provides a great framework for describing what excellent leaders need to know, do and be.’

Simon then led leaders to reflect on context and capability and leadership needed to take next steps in harnessing the knowledge and skills of the network.

WISE: System Leaders provides professional learning, development and support for system leaders – including Senior Education Improvement Leaders, network chairs and network executives – to facilitate networks, collaborate with other schools and improve student outcomes across Victoria. The program runs over 8 months and is by invitation only. The next WISE Masterclass with Viviane Robinson will be on 5 September 2024.