Managing director of Spheres of Influence International Patrizia Torelli with Dandenong High School principal Martin Culkin and author Greg Flattley at a breakfast seminar about innovative approaches to education. 44607Picture: Kelly Yates
By Kelly Yates
SCHOOL principals, educators and business leaders gathered in Narre Warren South last week for a breakfast seminar to learn about innovative approaches to education.
The guest speakers at Thursday’s event, by Spheres of Influence International, were Dandenong High School principal Martin Culkin and author of soon to be released book, A Practical Manual for Principals, Greg Flattley.
The audience of 20 got an insight into Dandenong High School’s journey from a traditional learning environment to open-plan learning, which inspires thinking and creativity.
Dandenong High School is one of Australia’s biggest public schools, with 2,100 students who speak a total of 66 languages.
When Mr Culkin started at the school a decade ago it was run to a traditional educational model.
Today, Mr Culkin said it’s known for its connectivity with the needs of its wide range of cultural and diverse students.
Mr Flattley defined education as being about “the empowerment of students to influence, value themselves and be interdependent, responsible citizens.”
He says Mr Culkin figured out what the education model should look like and then turned the model into reality.
“It’s a journey, a collaborative model. Good teachers can teach anywhere and Dandenong High School is a construction site in its primary stage,” Mr Culkin said.
Mr Flattley’s upcoming book outlines the everyday tools to help principals to “get it right.”
