Flip the System Australia

This is a book by educators, for educators. It grapples with the complexities, the humanity and the possibilities in education. In a climate of competing accountabilities and measurement mechanisms; corporate solutions to education ‘problems’; and narratives of ‘failing’ schools, ‘underperforming’ teachers and ‘disengaged’ students; this book asks ‘What matters?’ or ‘What should matter?’ in education.

Based in the unique Australian context, this book situates Australian education policy, research and practice within the international education narrative. It argues that professionals within schools should be supported, empowered and welcomed into policy discourse, not dictated to by top-down bureaucracy. It advocates for a flipping, flattening and democratising of the education system, in Australia and around the world.

Flip the System Australia: What matters in education brings together the voices of teachers, school leaders and scholars in order to offer diverse perspectives, important challenges and hopeful alternatives to the current education system.

Dr Deborah Netolicky is an education leader and researcher with more than 25 years of experience leading and teaching in independent schools across Australia and England. Operating as a 'pracademic'―bridging the gap between academic scholarship and high-stakes school governance―Deborah is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and holds a PhD in school leadership and educational change. Currently serving as a school principal, senior fellow, and board member, she is dedicated to building futures-looking organisational cultures of trust, inclusivity, and rigour. Deborah’s leadership is anchored in collective action, stakeholder engagement, and strategic governance to ensure schools, staff, and students are prepared for a technology-rich world, while honouring tradition and remaining anchored in human values.

Jon Andrews leads his school’s staff professional development program, system of teacher coaching and feedback, beginning teacher mentoring and staff engagement with professional learning.

Cameron Paterson is responsible for the strategic leadership of learning and teaching, innovation, and promoting excellence in teaching practice at SHORE School in Sydney. He is closely connected to Harvard’s Project Zero. In 2016, he received the 21st Century International Global Innovation Award for Teaching.