The Senior Leaders Institute is designed to enhance your leadership capacity. The course will be held across the year and will comprise of a two day event on 30 March/1 April in Melbourne and a two day event on 8/9 September in Adelaide.
Participation in this course will be open to applicants who:
- Currently hold a senior leader position in a CSA member school, e.g. Deputy Principal, Head of Campus/School
- Are committed to completing all elements of the course
- Have obtained the approval of their Principal who is also committed to supporting the applicant to complete all elements of the course
For a more comprehensive outline of the course, download the CSA Senior Leaders Institute 2025 flyer.
Event Information
As part of the enrolment process, applicants will be asked to do an initial online questionnaire and complete the 'Multipliers Self Assessment' at a cost of US$25.00. Further information will be sent after registration.
The course will include:
» Two x two day in-person intensive professional learning days
» CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool with a 30 minute debrief
» Creation of a personal leadership profile
» Course materials and access to the CSA Professional Learning Hub
» A copy of the book 'Multipliers' by Liz Wiseman
Intensive One
Dates: Monday, 31 March starting at 9am until Tuesday, 1 April concluding at 4.00pm
Venue: RACV City Club, Melbourne, VIC
The program is below (under Program outline).
Intensive Two
Dates: Monday, 8 September starting at 9am until Tuesday, 9 September concluding at 4.00pm
Venue: Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg, SA
The program is below (under Program outline).
Please note: participants are responsible for their own 'Multipliers Self Assessment' cost, travel, accommodation and incidental costs as required, as well as breakfast and dinner costs. Information regarding how to secure the discounted event rate for accommodation/breakfast will be provided upon registration. There will be an optional dinner arranged on Monday night to give participants an opportunity to gather and dine together (select and pay for this option as you register)
Note for interstate participants: We strongly encourage interstate participants to arrive on Sunday evening to avoid flight disruptions and to be refreshed and ready for a 9am start on Monday.
How to Register
To register for this event, simply click on the Register Now button and follow the prompts all the way through until 'Proceed and Submit Order'. Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirmation of your registration (please note this may also end up in your junk mailbox).
Registration for the event includes four days of professional learning and catering (morning tea and lunch both days), a CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool with a 30 minute debrief session, course materials with access to the CSA Professional Learning Hub and a copy of the book 'Multipliers' by Liz Wiseman.
Please note: Participants are responsible for their own 'Multipliers Self Assessment' cost, travel, accommodation and incidental costs as required, as well as breakfast and dinner costs. Information regarding how to secure the discounted event rate for accommodation/breakfast will be provided upon registration. There will be an optional dinner arranged on Monday night to give participants an opportunity to gather and dine together (select and pay for this option as you register).
Program Outline
An outline of the program is provided below:
Monday 31 March ~ The Person and Purpose of the Senior Leader
9:00am ~ Introduction
9:15am ~ Passion and Purpose: The identity and integrity of the Senior Leader
10:15am ~ The Who of the Senior Leadership: Exploring the shadow lands
10:45am ~ Morning Tea
11:15am ~ Purposeful leveraging of leadership teams
12:30pm ~ Lunch
12:45pm ~ The Multiplier Effect and the Five Disciplines of Multipliers
2:00pm ~ Accidental Diminishers
3:00pm ~ Creating a Professional Leadership Profile
4:00pm ~ Close for the Day
6:30pm ~ Dinner (optional)
Tuesday 1 April ~ The People of Senior Leadership
This day will be run by Arrow Leadership.
8:45am ~ Setting the Scene
9:00am ~ What is coaching? ~ The theology of coaching ~ Aims of coaching
10:30am ~ Morning Tea
11:00am ~ The art of questioning
1.00pm ~ Lunch
2.00pm ~ The C.O.A.C.H Model
4.00pm ~ Program closes
Monday 8 September ~ The Processes of Senior Leadership
9:00am ~ Understanding, using and developing contextual intelligence
10:30am ~ Morning Tea
11:00am ~ Adaptive Leadership in changing times
12:00pm ~ Sustaining Impact: Innovation and change that lasts
1:00pm ~ Lunch
2:00pm ~ Operational and organisational leadership
1. Strategic planning
2. Managing and Implementing Change
4:00pm ~ Close for the Day
6:30pm ~ Dinner (optional)
Tuesday 9 September ~ The Practices of Senior Leadership
9:00am ~ Instructional Leadership: Leading teaching and learning
10:30am ~ Morning Tea
11:00am ~ Operational and Organisational Leadership
1. Governance
2. Policy & Compliance
3. Finance
1:00pm ~ Lunch
1:45pm ~ Cultivating Feedback Cultures: The Art of Paying attention
2:45pm ~ Operational & Organisational Leadership – Human Resources
1. Staff Induction
2. Staff Development
3. Performance Management
3:30pm ~ Review and Reflection
4:00pm ~ Program closes
Please note these programs are subject to change.
Speakers
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.
Dr Darren Iselin: Director of Research & Innovation
Dr Darren has over 3 decades leadership experience within Christian education in both Australian and international contexts and has served in a wide range of CEO/executive and senior leadership roles within both K-12 schooling and higher education sectors. Darren has completed extensive formal study, including doctoral studies through the University of Queensland where his PhD explored “How Principals are cultivating Sustainable School Cultures Within Christian Schools During Changing Times”. Darren’s thesis was awarded the Grassie-Basset prize for best thesis in Educational Administration from The University of Queensland and also won the Research in Educational Leadership Management Award from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL).
Kylie Butler: Acting Executive Director, Arrow Leadership
Kylie is currently the Acting Executive Director of Arrow Leadership Australia. She has served as CEO, consultant, pastor, leader and coach with many organisations. Kylie is married to Adam and they have two children, Toby and Lily, and live on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Qualify for CPD Hours
At the conclusion of this event, a certificate of professional learning, for self-accreditation, will be made available to participants, via your member dashboard. The event will address the following CSA Leadership Framework areas:
CSA Leadership Framework - Phase 3 Leaders:
» Leaders of Vision – Inspiring Imagination, Instilling Hope, Sustaining Impact
» Leaders of Culture – Embracing Interdependence, Building Resilience
» Leaders of Faith – Cultivating Character, Nurturing Growth, Enabling Service
» Leaders of Practice – Leading Learning, Driving Improvement, Deepening Wisdom
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be made in writing to the Event Organiser. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued after 32 days out from the first in person intensive. Any cancellations made after this date will be charged the full registration fee. 'No Shows' to the event will be charged the full registration fee.
Please note that registration fees do not include insurance to cover loss of any fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the event or through cancellation of the event 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.
The event program is subject to change and we may not be able to provide prior notice.