This course has been intentionally designed and developed for middle leaders in Christian schools. Middle leaders are primarily responsible for coordinating and leading teams across various functional areas within the school through key roles that may include year level leaders, subject leaders, curriculum leaders and pedagogy coaches.
Through participation in the Step Up Training Course for Middle Leaders participants will:
- Strengthen their understanding of self and the importance of their ongoing development
- Engage in evidence-based, work-integrated professional learning
- Understand how to develop, lead and inspire exceptional teamwork and drive positive change
- Become skilled in building relationships and communicating effectively
- Develop capacity in operational aspects of their roles that include: having difficult conversations, managing team dynamics, conflict resolution, understanding legal and regulatory frameworks, organising professional learning, leading aspects of school improvement and cultivating purposeful and innovative change processes with teams.
Course Outline
The course content will be informed by the four key domains of the CSA Leadership Framework: Called, Connected, Committed which, in turn, is underpinned by both biblical principles and the AITSL Professional Standards for Principals.
The course will extend over a 9-month period and will incorporate a range of stimulating, engaging and collaborative activities, strategies and events designed to enhance and inspire the leadership journey of the course participants.
This is a 9-month course which runs from February to November 2024. If you have any queries, please contact the VIC/TAS State Office. For further information, please refer to the Step Up Course Guide.
Event Information
Modes of learning will include in-person intensives, online webinars, self-assessment, peer review feedback, coaching and incorporate a capstone personal leadership project.
In-person Intensive 1: The first intensive day will provide the key foundations for the course.
Topics covered will include:
» Calling, Vocation and Leadership
» Leading & Managing Self
» Leading from the Middle
» Personal Leadership Project
In-person Intensive 2: The second intensive day will complete the course.
Topics covered will include:
» Embodying story and sustaining impact
» Managing difficult conversations and situations
» Coaching Others
» Presentation of course learnings and reflections including Personal Leadership Project
In Person Intensive Dates:
Intensive 1
Tuesday 13 February » Western Australia: Morling College, Bentley
Monday 19 February » Victoria: Eastern College, Wantirna
Wednesday 21 February » NSW: Wyong Christian Community School
Friday 23 February » South Australia: Sunrise Christian School, Fullarton
Intensive 2
Monday 4 November » NSW: Wyong Christian Community School
Wednesday 6 November » Victoria: Eastern College, Wantirna
Friday 8 November » South Australia: Sunrise Christian School, Fullarton
Thursday 14 November » Western Australia: Morling College, Bentley
NB Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs as required.
Participation in three 90 minute online masterclasses, facilitated by leaders who have acknowledged expertise in their area. The topics to be covered are:
Monday 18 March » Online Masterclass 1: Leading Learning
Time » WA: 9.00am - 10.30am | SA: 11.30am - 1.00pm | NSW/VIC: 12.00pm - 1.30pm
Thursday 13 June » Online Masterclass 2: Leading Change and Improvement
Time » WA: 2.00pm - 3.30pm | SA: 3.30pm - 5.00pm | NSW/VIC: 4.00pm - 5.30pm
Tuesday 3 September » Online Masterclass 3: Effective Communication
Time » WA: 12.00pm - 1.30pm | SA: 1.30pm - 3.00pm | NSW/VIC: 2.00pm - 3.30pm
Throughout the duration of the course, participants will also:
- Complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment (pre-course) - NB Participants are responsible for the cost of this assessment (approximately $33)
- Undertake the CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool including a debrief session with an experienced leader
- Complete a Personal Leadership Project in his/her own school, using an action research methodology
- Engage in professional conversations with an executive leader. One of these conversations will be a debrief of the CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool Report.
- Undertake structured school visits and complete a Personal Reflection Report (a minimum of two throughout the year). Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs for the school visits, as required.
Further details regarding the course content and dates/venues can be found in the
Step Up Course Guide.
Course Facilitator
The course will be facilitated by Dr Maria Varlet along with a number of other highly experienced leaders. Further details regarding course presenters to come.
Dr Maria Varlet: Executive Officer, CSA VIC/TAS
Dr Maria Varlet has been involved in Christian Education for over 30 years, holding a variety of leadership positions including Head of Research & Innovation and Campus Principal. She has served on a number of Boards including as Deputy Chair of the CSA National Council. Maria has completed extensive formal study including a doctoral thesis which contributes insights into how Christian schools might utilise professional learning strategies to address tensions between ethos and assessment practices. As the Executive Officer, VIC/TAS, Maria is looking after the portfolio of Professional Learning. She is passionate about promoting and developing exemplary education practice, challenging the status quo and equipping and inspiring others. Her professional interests include teacher professional learning, leadership development and school improvement.
Qualify for CPD Hours
At the conclusion of this event, a certificate of professional learning will be made available to attendees for self-accreditation via your member dashboard for 25 face to face hours plus additional hours of personal project time, school visits and professional conversations with a school leader. The following CSA Leadership Framework standards and AITSL standards will be addressed:
CSA Leadership Framework - Phase 2 Leaders
» Leaders of Faith: Cultivating Character and Nurturing Growth
» Leaders of Practice: Driving Improvement, Deepening Wisdom and Leading Learning
» Leaders of Culture: Embodying Story and Building Resilience
» Leaders of Vision: Sustaining Impact
AITSL - Standards at the Lead Teacher Level
» 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice
» 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice
» 7.4 Engage with professional teaching networks and broader communities
CSA Christian distinctive focus areas
» 6A Engage in professional learning which aids the development of a philosophy of Christian Education based in Biblical principles
» 7B Contributes to the development of distinctive Christian practice in the school, profession and wider community
Cancellation Policy
If you are needing to cancel your Middle Leaders course registration, please notify the VIC/TAS office in writing. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued after 15 days out from the course start date. Any cancellations made after this date will be charged the full registration fee. 'No Shows' to the course events will be charged the full registration fee.
The course program is subject to change and we may not be able to provide prior notice.
Please note that registration fees do not include insurance to cover loss of any fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the course or through cancellation of the course itself. A full refund will be issued if the course is cancelled by the organiser (CSA) due to COVID-19 restrictions or any other reasons out of the organisers control.
Testimonials from the 2023 Pilot Course:
"This experience has empowered me to inspire, lead, and drive positive change within education, making it a powerful catalyst for personal growth. The interactive sessions and personal mentoring touch has helped me to sharpen my self-awareness and nurture my desire for continuous development." ~ 2023 participant
"I was impressed with the scope of the insightful material and was greatly encouraged by the experienced and knowledgeable presenters. The 360 Review was particularly helpful, especially receiving the one-on-one coaching session that helped me take feedback and turn it into an opportunity to grow. Leading in the middle is challenging and the support and knowledge that I have gained from this course will make me a better leader for sure." ~ 2023 participant
Step Up 2024 is proudly sponsored by:
