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.
We plan to have cohorts in each state, however this will depend on registration numbers.
This is a 9-month course which runs from February to October 2025. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Maria Varlet. For further information, please refer to the Step Up Course Guide.
Event Information
Modes of learning will include in-person intensives, 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 cover:
» Cultivating feedback cultures
» Effective communication
» Managing difficult conversations and situations
In-person Intensive 3: The third intensive day will complete the course.
Topics covered will include:
» Embodying story and sustaining impact
» Leading improvement and change
» Presentation of course learnings and reflections including Personal Leadership Project
In Person Intensive Dates:
We plan to have cohorts in each state, however this will depend on registration numbers.
Intensive 1
Monday 10 February » Queensland
Wednesday 12 February » NSW
Friday 14 February » Victoria
Friday 7 March » South Australia
Monday 17 March » Western Australia
Intensive 2
Monday 28 July » Victoria
Wednesday 30 July » NSW
Friday 1 August » Queensland
Monday 4 August » South Australia
Wednesday 6 August » Western Australia
Intensive 3
Monday 20 October » Queensland
Wednesday 22 October » NSW
Friday 24 October » Victoria
Monday 27 October » Western Australia
Thursday 30 October » South Australia
NB Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs as required.
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 USD25)
- 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. Participants will produce a project report and give a brief verbal presentation to course peers.
- 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 one 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: Director of Professional Learning Programs & Services and EO, 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 school, church and not for profit Boards, including as Deputy Chair of the CSA National Council. Maria has completed extensive formal study. Her doctoral thesis contributes insights into how Christian schools might utilise professional learning strategies to address tensions between ethos and assessment practices. In addition to the role of Executive Officer, VIC/TAS, Maria also holds the position of Director of Professional Learning Programs and Services. She is passionate about equipping and inspiring others and challenging the status quo. Her professional interests include leadership development, teacher professional learning 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 50 + 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 event is cancelled by the organiser (CSA) due to any reasons out of the organisers control.
Testimonials:
"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