In this episode of Around the School Table (www.xuno.com.au/podcasts), Lisa Burt joins host Steve Davis to explore how inclusive leadership reshapes learning within a small school setting. As principal of Knox Central Primary School (www.knoxcentral.vic.edu.au), she leads a school community of 74 students and demonstrates how relationships, predictability and calm environments support every learner.

From the outset, Lisa explains how her move from a large suburban school to Knox Central changed her approach to leadership. With fewer staff layers, she is often the person who responds when challenges arise. However, this close connection means families and students see her as approachable and available. Her daily walk through each classroom builds trust and reinforces a strong sense of community.

Because Lisa also teaches PE, students see her as both principal and active participant in school life. This relatability helps families who previously felt uncertain about school to re-engage with confidence. Her visible presence also supports staff wellbeing, as teachers know she understands the pressures of the classroom.

The discussion turns to inclusive classrooms, where predictable routines and structured spaces help students, especially those with autism, feel secure. Daily schedules, quiet zones and Schoolwide Positive Behaviours create a consistent and supportive learning environment.

Literacy improvement is another key focus. After discovering gaps in early reading skills, the school adopted explicit phonics instruction and tools like DIBELS. As a result, students develop phonemic awareness and reading confidence, while teachers gain clearer data to guide instruction.

Technology also supports personalised learning at Knox Central. Google Classroom, Mathletics and Reading Eggs allow teachers to tailor tasks and help students practise skills beyond school hours.

Finally, Lisa reflects on funding, perception and the unique strengths of boutique schools. She highlights the importance of reframing “small schools” as environments rich in connection, opportunity and individual support. This episode offers practical ideas for leaders and teachers seeking to strengthen inclusion and rethink what small schools can achieve.

Powered by: xuno.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public speaking coaches Sanja and Tom Hendrick from Talent Academy chat with Rachel and Eddie. Together they take a look at ways to help performance anxiety, and discuss mindset changes to help with auditioning.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holiday season is upon us! Today, Amy, Abby, and Harry are joined by returning special guest Kathleen Stanley a.k.a The Christmas Expert. Observe as Kathleen works her magic on the Grinches of the group by breaking down what Christmas fiction means to people and what, at its core, this holiday should really be about. Anybody else have a list of new Christmas Romance movies to binge, or is it just me?

LINKS

🎵 Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single SAME OLD here.

🎄 Where to find Kathleen Stanley:

• INSTAGRAM is here.
• Most recent publication is here.

🎅 Our Socials:

• INSTAGRAM is here.
• FACEBOOK is here.
• TIKTOK is here.

🤶 Where to find Amy:

• Amy Matthews on IG here.
• Amy Barry on IG here.
• Amy Matthews / Amy Barry on FACEBOOK here.
• WEBSITE is here.

Thank you so much for listening! 💞

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

**Listener warning: This episode contains mild swearing and a brief reference to adult themes.**

In this episode of Around the School Table (www.xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by comedian and action learning coach Daniel Delby to unpack how humour can transform classroom management and teacher wellbeing. Drawing on his journey from drama and phys-ed teaching into science and special needs support, Daniel shows how laughter can keep both students and teachers engaged for the long haul.

As the creator of Teacher Comedy Night (teachercomedynight.com), Daniel has turned everyday school stories into a space where educators can connect, unwind and realise they are not alone. Teachers come for the laughs; however, they also leave with fresh perspective on behaviour, relationships and classroom management strategies. Along the way, Daniel shares how a professional learning course in Classroom Management Strategies (CMS) shifted his mindset from “these kids are the problem” to “what can I do differently?”

Throughout the conversation, Daniel explains why humour works so powerfully in the classroom. Teachers are constantly performing in front of up to 34 students. Therefore, they must learn to hold attention, break the ice and win the class over. Yet he is clear that not every teacher needs to be a stand-up comic. Instead, he argues that authenticity, clear boundaries and genuine interest in students matter just as much as punchlines.

The episode also explores how Daniel uses freestyle rap and improvisation to hook students into learning. From rapping about classes at assemblies to encouraging students to expand their vocabularies so they can rhyme, he demonstrates how creativity can sit alongside curriculum goals. As a result, humour becomes more than a gimmick; it becomes a tool for connection, confidence and student voice.

Listeners will also hear about Daniel’s touring Teacher Comedy Night shows, his links to major comedy festivals and the growing community of teachers who are discovering comedy as a way to stay in the profession. Ultimately, this episode is for any educator who loves their students, feels the strain of the job and wants practical, light-hearted ideas to bring joy back into teaching.

Powered by: xuno.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re throwing back to September when we headed over to the Flinders University Library for a live chat about all things reading and writing romance. Does dark romance need content ratings or trigger warnings? Why do straight women love to read and write gay male romance? What can romance novels teach us about love? Are horror romance and paranormal romance the same thing? Do people yearn for an epic slowburn? And when will Harry write a Big Gay Fantasy novel?

MENTIONS

📚 BOOKS: Gild by Raven Kennedy; American Psycho by Bret Easton; Haunting Adeline by HD Carlton; Ali Hazelwood’s books; Captive Prince series by CS Pacat; A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas; The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss; Laurie Gilmore’s books; Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree; In Spite of You by Patrick Lenton; Cubs and Campfires by Dylan Drakes; God of Fury by Rina Kent; The Will to Change by bell hooks; Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier; Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas; The Lord of the Rings series by JRR Tolkien; Feast While You Can by Mikaella Clements and Onjuli Datta; Bride by Ali Hazelwood; Ghosted by Amy Hutton; Keri Arthur’s books; Twilight by Stephanie Meyer; Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery; Goal Motivation and Conflict by Debra Dixon; Bound for Sin by Tess Le Sue; Johanna Lindsay’s books

🎬 MOVIES: Love Lies Bleeding (2024); Tron (1982)

📺 TV SHOWS: Gilmore Girls

🎙️ PODCASTS: QBD Romance Book Club; Amy & Book Club

LINKS:

• Read our BOTM: BOTM: Three Holidays and a Wedding by Uzma Jalaluddin & Marissa Stapley
• Watch the full episode on YouTube: @AmyAndBookclub
• Follow the Amy & Podcast on IG: @amyandbookclub
• Join the Amy & Bookclub: Amy & Bookclub
• Follow Amy Matthews on IG: @amymatthewsauthor
• Follow Amy Barry on IG: @amybarryauthor

Our theme music is by Mass Wisteria. Stream their single "Same Old" here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Around the School Table (www.xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Dylan Sulzer, founder of Not Just Teacher Education (www.notjustateachereducation.com), to explore how Dylan’s unique journey—from Port Lincoln to the Northern Territory and even mustering cattle—has shaped his deep understanding of emotional intelligence in education.

Dylan brings practical tools and insights to help teachers and students navigate tricky behaviour, build emotional regulation, and foster a positive classroom culture. He reframes defiance as a bid for independence and examines the balance between happiness and purpose, offering educators a fresh way to connect, support and empower young people both inside and outside the classroom.

Throughout the episode, Dylan explains the five domains of emotional intelligence — self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and relational communication — and shows how educators can apply them in the real world. He shares simple, applicable strategies such as breathing techniques and naming tasks to re-engage teachers’ thinking brains in stressful moments.
Furthermore, Dylan’s student-brand program demonstrates how young people can identify their character strengths, develop a sense of identity and shift from external rewards to intrinsic motivation. The conversation also touches on the role of choice in managing student independence, why banning social media might be a band-aid solution, and the importance of being more impressive in person than online.

This episode is ideal for teachers, school leaders and anyone interested in shaping classroom culture with emotional intelligence at the heart.

Powered by: xuno.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh), Odie (Garfield) and Grimlock (Transformers) have Gregg Berger to thank when bringing them to life!

Gregg Berger is an American Voice / Actor, who is internationally known for his iconic roles as Grimlock in G1 Transformers and Transformers Fall of Cybertron, Transformers: Devastation, Power of the Primes and more. His classic and contemporary iconic roles also include Odie, Squeak, Harry and others in the Garfield franchise, Spirit and Firefly in the original animated G.I. Joe, Mysterio and Kraven the Hunter in Spider-Man: The Animated Series, Cornfed in Duckman, Agent Kay in Men in Black: The Animated Series, Jecht in Final Fantasy X & X-2, The Pain in Metal Gear Solid 3, The Gromble in Aaahh!!! Real Monsters, Ripto in the Spyro series and many more!

Gregg Berger is the author of Think Globally… Act VOCALLY! (And Voice Virtue) and is the reader of the Audiobook. It is available on iTunes and Audible.com. For many years he has been associated with Famous Fone Friends, making calls in requested animated character voices to children in Pediatric Hospitals

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drawing on her own family history for inspiration, Heather Rose delivers a compelling and heart rending saga of a father and daughter torn apart by a terrible crime. In “A Great Act of Love” Caroline Douglas carries her dark secret to the penal colony of Van Dieman’s Land to begin life anew - but can she escape her past; does she even want to?

+

It’s no small thing to decide to be a publisher in today’s busy book marketplace but that’s what Emily Riches did. Aniko Press’s first offering is “The Slip” by Miriam Webster who was recently interviewed on Episode 56 this podcast. Aniko also publishes a literary journal and is always on the lookout for new talent.

Guests
Heather Rose, author of “A Great Act of Love”

Emily Riches, founder of Aniko Press

https://www.anikopress.com/

Other books that get a mention:

Heather mentions Rebecca Yaros’ “Fourth Wing”, Robert Galbraith’s crime series, Maggie O’Farrell’s “The Marriage Portrait”, Hannah Kent’s “Always Home, Always Homesick”, Richard Macfarlane’s “Is A River Alive?” and “The Epic of Gilgamesh”.

INSTAGRAM

@heather_rose_writes

@allenandunwin

@aniko press

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.