Local Coordinators are available to support schools and Networks in utilising the STARRS funding available to support teacher development and retention.
Local Coordinators are specialised and trained in their role to support schools in designing bespoke and local solutions for teacher retention.
We encourage Principals and Networks to utilise the Local Coordinator support and expertise.
Before becoming an educational consultant in 2021, David Tyson was the manager of the Professional Learning Centre at the AEU for six years. David oversaw an extensive professional learning program that in 2020 had 18,500 participants. Prior to that, David had been Principal at Westall Secondary College for five years and prior to that he was the Principal at Templestowe College. He has been involved in education in Victorian State Schools for 40 years, starting his career at Point Gellibrand Girls’ High School in Williamstown.
David has worked at a wide variety of schools in his career, holding leadership positions – Campus Manager, Student Welfare Coordinator, Curriculum Coordinator and Professional Development Coordinator, as-well-as, Head of Sub-School.
David for many years was an English and History Teacher, teaching both VCE and junior classes. He has explored ways to create positive and creative classes while at the same time seeking to raise the level of ‘student voice’ in schools he has been involved in.
He has pursued his love of history by being a member of the History Teachers’ Association of Victoria (HTAV) and has held a number of positions, including Vice-President, Company Secretary and Board Member. Furthermore, he has been a regular speaker at State and National History Conferences on a wide variety of subjects.
David has a commitment to social justice and for a number of years served on the Board of the State Schools’ Relief Committee. He also was Vice-President for three years and worked hard to raise the profile of this charity within the education community. David has a deep love of learning and has obtained a Graduate Diploma in Educational Administration and a Masters Degree in Education from Melbourne University. He is committed to ongoing professional and personal learning.
David’s love of history and a sense of adventure saw him in 2009 heading off to the Kokoda Track. David is committed to issues around social justice and community issues and for the last 5 years as Secretary of the Toxic Odour Action Group in Clayton has worked to stop tip odours that impact on families and schools. His work in this area was recognised by the E.P.A in February 2014 for his contribution to environmental protection in Victoria. His clear focus in his years in education has been to make a real difference in the young people placed in his care.
Assigned Network: SWV
I am a passionate educator who believes that children learn best when the educational environment is warm, friendly and interesting. In my role as an educational leader, I emphasise the importance of ensuring the school is a safe and welcoming place, where the students, parents and teachers feel confident, supported and motivated for improvement.
I was employed by the Victorian Education Department for over 40 years, including:
10 years as Classroom Teacher
4 years as Leading Teacher
5 years as Assistant Principal
20 years as a Principal
My career as a teacher and leader included working across a range of socio-economic areas in the South Eastern and North Eastern regions. My leadership journey developed through school coordinator roles, such as Area Leader in the Springvale ‘Disadvantaged Schools Program’ in the 90’s to Assistant Principal in 1993 and Principal of Murrumbeena Primary School in 1998.
As a leader, I believe it is important to develop the trust and respect of staff and the community, so we can work together towards a common goal. Fairness, honesty and integrity, are crucial values that I aim to demonstrate on a daily basis. I believe a calm, knowledgeable and efficient manner is central to my leadership style. I enjoy a challenge and, throughout my years as principal, introduced a range of initiatives that were showcased at network, state and international level.
As principal of Murrumbeena Primary School (a large suburban primary school of 650 students) for over 20 years, the school grew under my leadership and was known for its innovative practices, dedicated and stable staff, engaged students and supportive community. Ensuring teachers were supported, challenged and motivated to achieve our common goals was integral to our success. Providing opportunities for professional development, including mentoring, coaching and leadership training was a strong focus.
I formally supported many new and experienced principals through mentoring and coaching programs run by the Department and Bastow, and informally mentored aspiring leaders and colleagues. I have extensive experience as a Principal Representative on selection panels for principals and regional directors and have acted as the Principal Challenge Partner during numerous School Reviews.
After over 40 years employment with the Department of Education (20 years as principal), I retired from teaching in early 2018.
In the three years since retiring from teaching, I have worked as an Educational Consultant, focusing on mentoring and coaching the Principal Class.
My current professional responsibilities include:
Mentor with Bastow’s Principal Mentoring Program
Mentor with Bastow’s Evolve Program
Facilitator of Bastow’s Talent Management Framework professional learning program
Assessor for the Victorian Aspirant Principal Assessment program.
I have enjoyed continuing to be part of the educational community and feel privileged to be able to share my knowledge, skills and passion with others. I look forward to working with principals and networks as we implement the STARRS initiative.
Heather was a Principal in three metropolitan primary schools with a strong teaching and learning focus and focus on the facilitation of teamwork and collaboration. Heather is a qualified coach and educational consultant with a proven track record of providing practical support based on first‐hand experience and an extensive knowledge base.
Committed to supporting schools and leaders to develop and implement strategic and sustainable improvement. Building and enhancing the capacity of teachers and principals, a core element in her workshops and keynote presentations at conferences, locally, nationally, and internationally. Heather has a wealth of educational experience, understanding and passion for enhancing leadership in schools particularly around the development and retention of teachers.
Heather has worked at school, regional and central levels including the Bastow Institute of Leadership. Having driven school improvement as a Regional Network Leader overseeing school improvement across primary, secondary and special schools Heather is passionate about working closely with principals and school leadership teams, developing leadership capabilities and providing advice and support on the implementation of consistent high quality attraction, retention and development practices.
Assigned Network: Metro Region
As a member of the teaching profession for over 40 years I have gained vast, varied and extensive experience as a teacher and ultimately a principal. As a principal I was heavily involved on a network level – liaising with Network Chairs/Network Principals and supporting and mentoring newly appointed principals. I provided shadowing opportunities for aspiring principals and continued to support these aspirant leaders throughout the development of their leadership journey.
I have extensive experience as Principal Representative on principal appointment panels and the Principal Challenge partner during numerous School Reviews.
TMF (Talent Management Framework) – 2020 current - facilitator
STARRS (Supporting Teachers at Regional and Rural Schools) – 2020 - Local Coordinator
Principal Mentoring program – 2018 to current - mentor
UP (Unlocking Potential) – 2018 to current - assessor
VAPA (Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment) – 2018 VAPA - Assessor
Participation in these BASTOW Programs has ensured I have kept abreast of current DET trends, innovations and future directions. My personal strength is working collegiately with others, (especially future leaders) to build positive professional relationships to develop their capacity and ultimately reach their full potential.
I have worked in an extensive range of learning environments and have developed comprehensive educational and leadership capacity, skills and expertise. My expansive experience spans over 40 years and includes classroom/specialist teacher, Leading Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal. Due to my expansive career experiences, expertise and qualifications I am fully equipped to support, coach and mentor teachers in a diverse range of settings and schools.
My leadership style strongly focusses on 'people' and the ability to build strong professional and exemplar relationships with staff, students, parents and community to ensure desired outcomes are achieved and all students reach their full potential. I continue to encourage colleagues to professionally and personally develop themselves and value a distributed and collaborative leadership approach whilst always displaying integrity, compassion, a high degree of emotional intelligence, friendliness and sensitivity.
An effective whole school Instructional Model was imbedded, with best teaching practices consistently evident
Highly effective and well developed Teaching and Learning Programs were developed - with rigorous data analysis driving the future work
Financial viability and sustainability was always evident - reflecting effective resource management
Highly effective staff were focused on improving student learning outcomes for all students
The Leadership Team/Staff shared a whole school vision and focused on improving student outcomes and building a high performing school
Collaborative, positive Community Partnerships were established to support programs
A stimulated learning environment was developed to maximise learning outcomes and build self-motivated learners
There was a whole school staff and student innovative growth mindset based on high expectations, strategic risk taking and a confidence in ones’ self
There was a focus on building strong, healthy relationships with all stakeholders
Bachelor of Education
Diploma of Teaching
Assigned Network: NEV
Assigned Network: NWV
As an educator, I am passionate about creating educational communities that allow all stakeholders to shine – this includes providing the environment for teachers to build a sense of belonging and purpose in their work. Supporting teachers as they move into new positions is a key component in establishing a culture that inspires teachers to guide and lead their community. My leadership focused upon building teacher capacity and a culture of collective responsibility for student learning. Supporting teachers to be the best that they could be individually and collectively by developing strong communities of practice focusing on the impact on student learning.
I have been an employee of the Victorian Government Education system for 35 years.
10 years teaching including rural schools, classroom teaching and specialist roles
2 years teaching in overseas schools (Brixton, London and Munising School district, Michgan, USA)
2 years as an Educational Consultant within the Regional Office structure
4 years as a Leading Teacher
17 years as a Principal
As an educational leader, I have been committed to supporting the development of individual, school and system enhancement. The following outlines some of the key experiences leading to quality school and teacher improvement:
17 years as Principal of Wodonga Primary school – a large primary school of 850 students providing educational opportunities in a regional city.
Chairperson of Wodonga Principal cluster encompassing 12 schools (primary, secondary and special schools)
Leading member of Wodonga Federation of Government schools
Mentor to Aspirant Principals and Principal colleagues as part of Department programs
Mentoring for Principals program andVictorian Aspirant Principals Assessment (Bastow trial program)
Guest speaker at Charles Stuart University on preparing Graduates for schools.
I am a strong advocate for teachers being a part of the wider community – becoming involved in the local community in ways that promote relationships and build a sense of belonging, both personally and professionally. Encouraging staff to engage in the community strengthens their understanding of the local context as well as establishing wider connections and bonds.
Assigned Network: NWV
I have over 40 years’ experience with Department of Education and Training as a primary school teacher and Principal. My extensive experience in school settings, as a Principal of 19 years and Regional level leadership, provides me with the expertise to make a valuable contribution to the mentorship of teachers settling into unique roles in remote schools.
As a Senior Education Officer supporting two Networks of schools, I was responsible for School Improvement, Critical Incidents, School issues, Principal performance review and conflict resolution. In the SEO role, I worked extensively in and with communities supporting their diverse cultures and needs.
At a regional level, I led the Principal Health and Wellbeing program and the NMR Continuous Improvement program providing support for principal class officers and focussing the attention of my schools on opportunities for development of the educational, social and emotional needs of their staff and school communities.
Since concluding my time as a principal, I have continued to build on my extensive prior experience supporting and mentoring individual teaching staff from Graduate Teachers to Principals. My current roles, which include AEU one on one job preparation mentor and trained Bastow Principal Health and Well Being Mentor, have enabled me to offer strategic and specific support and advice to teachers and principals from a range of challenging and diverse contexts.
In my roles as School Principal and Principal Network Executive Chairperson and member, for instance, I have gained extensive personal and professional experience which have enhanced my interpersonal and networking skills.
To demonstrate my extensive and diverse professional experience, the following is a precis of some of my key roles and achievements:
Nillumbik Principal Network Executive Chairperson and Member
Extensive School/Community Partnerships work in Victorian, Western Australian and US schools/networks
Presented at Grand Rounds at the Royal Children’s Hospital
Professional/School Partnership with Cerebral Palsy Education Centre (CPEC)
Principal Class Project Officer at the AEU providing professional support for Principal Class
Bastow: Unlocking Potential Program, Panel Chair and Member
Synergistiq: DET School Council Trainer
Resilient Youth Australia: School Liaison Leader
AEU: One on One Job Preparation Mentor
Bastow: Principal Health and Wellbeing Mentor
I look forward to the opportunity to be involved in such an exciting and valuable program.
Assigned Network: NWV
I have worked in a wide range of educational settings over the last 45 years. Over the last twenty years I worked mostly as a secondary school principal at three schools Lakeside Secondary College (1997-2001), Warrandyte High School (2001-2005) and Whittlesea Secondary College (2009-2017) I have managed projects (Business Working with Education) for DET and lectured in Education at the University of Melbourne.
I currently work with a number of rural principals (both primary and secondary)for Bastow (a couple in remote areas) as part of their mentoring program and do some consultancy work, some of which is at a regional level and provide strategic advice when asked.I enjoy the mentoring and have come to appreciate even more the complex and demanding role principals play in rural areas.
The most challenging work I have been involved in was with a very fire effected community at Whittlesea. It reinforced for me the important role education can play in community recovery, and the importance of excellent teaching and strong leadership in rural areas.
Tallangatta High School 1973/74
Watsonia High School 1975-1991
1991 Assistant Principal Reservoir High School
1992-97 Campus Principal Reservoir District Secondary College
1997-2001 Principal Lakeside Secondary College
2001-2005 Principal Warrandyte High School
2005-2007 Innovation and Excellence Cluster Co-ordinator
2008 Project Manager (DET) Business Working with Education
2009 -2017 Principal Whittlesea Secondary College
2018-2020 Principal Mentor Bastow/Educational Consultant
1983-1991 Lecturer in Education (Social Studies Method) University of Melbourne.
1985-1987 Statewide Chairperson HSC Politics Subject Committee
2014-2017 Chairperson Central Ranges Trade Training Centre