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At Firbank Grammar School, Jenny Williams is creating exciting new opportunities for her students to thrive in a complex, ever-changing world.
Williams is a founding member of the Australian International School and the first female head of All Saints College Bathurst. She led Samuel Marsden Collegiate School through earthquake work and major building development. Williams also guided Firbank through the COVID-19 pandemic and two years of Melbourne lockdowns.
During 2020, Firbank’s leaders worked with experts and used the latest research to develop their own unique teaching and learning principles. For Williams, the focus was on creating a common language of learning throughout the school and on articulating the ‘how’ of that learning.
This research culminated in the 7 Principles, which were introduced to students and staff.
“The development of the 7 Principles was the final step in the completion of Firbank’s strategic intent. The process started with articulating the ‘why’ behind what we do – defined by our motto, vision and purpose. Then we described ‘what’ we do. This is defined by our four pillars, five values and six domains,” Williams tells The Educator.
“The 7 Principles define ‘how’ we do things at Firbank. Learning is at the heart of everything we do, so being able to describe the conditions using a common language that can maximise the learning in our classrooms is essential. It’s the ‘how’ of teaching and learning.”
Williams says a strong belief underpinning the 7 Principles program is that wellbeing is “intrinsically interwoven with learning, within all our interactions”.
“Choosing the right mind frame, acting with kindness and being present are all considered integral to the learning process. Our 7 Principles have been defined using intentional language,” she says.
Over the last two years at Firbank, the language of these principles has become more ingrained, with both staff and students looking to them to define their teaching and learning, says Williams.
“Consistency across staff and classrooms provides students with certainty and thus the best environment within which they can maximise their development.”
Williams said an ongoing focus in 2023 will be to continue the development of the 7 Principles of Practice Series to ensure the program’s success is sustained.
“These are short videos with supporting research and documentation that show what these principles look like in practice. These resources intend to provide a learning library for staff to access at any time,” she said.
“We have been working with teaching and learning expert and educational researcher Dr Sophie Specjal over the past four years as we developed these principles. She continues to work with staff to enable them to develop high-impact strategies for their classrooms that they can also share with colleagues.”
51 Outer Cres, Brighton, VIC 3186
(03) 9591 5188
communications@firbank.vic.edu.au
au.linkedin.com/school/firbank-grammar-school
firbank.vic.edu.au
Jenny Lee Williams
Principal
Firbank Grammar School
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Milestones
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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1993-2000
2000-2002
2003-2008
2008-2017
2017–present
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Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
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1993-2000
2000-2002
2003–2008
2008–2017
2017–present
Read on
Special Report
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Bio
Milestones
2022
2008–2017
2003–2008
2000–2002
1993–2000
2017–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Principal at Firbank Grammar School
2017–present
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2008–2017
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Principal at Samuel Marsden Collegiate School
2008–2017
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2003–2008
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Head of College at All Saints College Bathurst
2003–2008
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2000-2002
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Principal at Snowy Mountains Grammar School
2000-2002
1997
1993-2000
human resources | key media
1993–1995: Founding Head of Science at the Australian International School, Singapore
1996–2000: Head of Science at St Catherine’s School
1993-2000
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Milestones
2017–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
2022
Excellence awardee – Independent Mortgage Adviser of the Year category at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards
2022
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2022
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
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2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
