Category: Uncategorized
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There’s something satisfying about walking into a tidy tack room. Saddles stored in their covers, gleaming and ready for the next ride. Bridles hung neatly, grooming tools organised, everything in its place. Last weekend, I spent a few hours reorganising my tack room. I sorted brushes, cleaned gear, and made sure everything I use daily…
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In our paddock, my horse is rarely alone these days. A small, steady pony has joined him—a borrowed friend whose job is simple but important: be there. The change in my horse was almost immediate. His anxiety eased. His pacing slowed. When something startled him, he looked to the pony and read the calm in…
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There is a particular stillness I try to carry when I am with my horse. It is not about being silent—it is about being grounded. When he is nervous or unsettled, my job is not to overpower him or force him to “behave.” My job is to be calm, to breathe, and to help him…
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Burnout is no longer a fringe issue in Australian education. Whether in public or private schools, primary or secondary, more teachers are reporting exhaustion, stress and a desire to leave the profession. But what’s driving it – and is it the same across all school settings? Based on classroom experience and current research, this article…
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Not all teachers work in classrooms. Some lead without ever raising their voice. Some guide simply by being exactly who they are. When I think about the kind of strength I admire most, I think of women like Jess. Jess does not lead with words. She leads with presence. She does not need to explain…
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Some women walk through life without ever asking for attention. They do not broadcast their resilience. They do not seek applause. But if you stop long enough to really see them, you are changed by their quiet strength. I know a woman like that. Let’s call her Jess. Jess grew up in a house where…
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There is something disarming about the honesty of a horse. They do not respond to your plans, your schedule or your expectations. They respond to your energy, your intention and the moment you are in. When I am with my horse, there is no hiding. If I am rushed, he knows. If I am distracted,…
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There are moments in your career when something knocks the wind out of you. You give everything your energy, your time, your care and it is still not enough to be chosen.That happened to me. Twice. I had been encouraged to apply for leadership positions. I was told I had the skill, the capability, the…
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“Students energise me. Boundaries sustain me. Respect allows me to keep showing up with purpose.” Teaching matters deeply to me. It is more than a job or a profession. It is something I care about with my whole self. I want to be the kind of teacher who sees students clearly, who listens before responding,…
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In schools, we often associate leadership with titles. Positions like coordinator, assistant principal or head of faculty come with clear roles and expectations. But in reality, some of the most impactful leadership happens without a title at all. I have worked across Melbourne, Darwin and regional Victoria in a range of educational settings. Over the…
From the Paddock 