Inaburra Insight

In this episode of Learning Conversations, Dr Andrew Martin—registered psychologist and Professor of Educational Psychology—explores the well-documented “motivation dip” that often emerges in Years 8 and 9. He unpacks the developmental, social, and academic factors contributing to this decline in engagement and explains why maintaining strong academic structure, while inten...

Blake Johnston is a three-time world record-holding endurance athlete and mental health advocate. In 2023, Blake captured global attention by surfing non-stop for over 40 hours, catching 707 waves, and raising vital awareness for mental health. He went on to lead the World’s Biggest Paddleout, with 1,027 participants linking arms to celebrate connection and community, and most recently set a...

Lyndal Tait hosts a conversation with Andrew Macdonald Brown, an executive coach with over 35 years experience in education, about the importance of trust in leadership. Andrew emphasises the role of coaching in enhancing leadership and team effectiveness, citing his experience in the Middle East and China. He discusses the impact of trust on team performance, referencing research by Patrick Lenci...

In this episode of "Learning Conversations," host Lyndal Tait discusses the nature and purpose of school education with mathematician Francis Su and Inaburra Principal James Pietsch. Francis, a former president of the Mathematical Association of America and author of "Mathematics for Human Flourishing," emphasises the importance of mathematics for its beauty, practicality, and role in improving th...

During their final year at Inaburra School, as they prepared for their HSC, 2023 Inaburra School Captains, Christos Gatzastras and Sienna Thorpe sought out advice from past graduates about their end of school experience and the opportunities they found beyond graduation. In this ‘Beyond the Burra’ podcast episode, Christos and Sienna are speaking with Julian Annison, an Inaburra graduate from the...

For Francis Su, a society without mathematical affection is like a city without concerts, parks, or museums. In this Founders Lecture, Francis will show that mathematics is an experience of the mind and, most importantly, of the heart. Su offers an inclusive vision of what mathematics is, who it is for, and how it relates to the dignity of being human.   Francis Su is a past president of the Mathe...

Lyndal Tait and Mel Clarke discuss the benefits of spending time in nature for mental and physical health. They share personal experiences and tips for incorporating nature into daily routines, highlighting the positive impact on mental health and spirituality. Mel explores how combining exercise in a natural setting can boost healthy hormone levels. She also provides insights on how to engage kid...

Inaburra’s Director of Music, Jen Geering, discusses her research into the impacts of music education with recent Inaburra graduate Abbey Parkes, piano accompanist Ray Avard and host Lyndal Tait. They share their personal musical journeys and how learning an instrument shaped them over time. Insights are provided into forming community through music and how it cultivates growth and influences acad...

In this episode, parenting expert Dr Justin Coulson joins Matt Tomlin and Tanya Grant to discuss practical strategies for managing children's technology use at home and how to foster open communication about devices. Justin shares insights from his own experience raising six daughters and provides tips parents can implement to set healthy boundaries, support student wellbeing, and keep children sa...

Brennan Fortier and Christian Coulberg from International Justice Mission join host Lyndal Tait to shed light on the grim reality of individuals ensnared in modern-day slavery, specifically those engaged in online scams targeting the West. Ryan Nyoum, a TAS teacher at Inaburra with a background in social work at Rough Edges, also joins the discussion. This podcast delves into human story behind hu...

In a world that seems to be spiralling increasingly out of control, is there a path to flourishing that rises above the chaos? The models of success we are told to chase are governed by internal desire, evaluated by external validation and surrounded by instability. There must be a better way. This presentation will set down a framework through which we can make sense of our rapidly changing world...

Would you consider yourself an achievement junkie? Many high school students fear that their ATAR result will be a summary of not just their schooling career, but also their individual worth. How do we view success? Is it something we earn through our efforts and striving or as a matter of grace, or luck even? In this episode, Lyndal speaks with author and recovering achievement addict, Dr Justine...

We hear the word ‘community’ thrown around all the time, but what actually is it and why does it matter? In this conversation, show host Lyndal Tait speaks with Dr Jen George, an expert in community and governance, about what community means and how it makes us who we are. They discuss some key principles of community and how we can build it today. Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam -  http://bowlinga...

Lessons learnt on the sporting field often serve us well throughout life – building resilience, pushing through fatigue, turning up and accepting defeat graciously. In this episode, host Lyndal Tait speaks with Inaburra’s PDHPE teachers Simon Wadds, Matthew Tolhurst and Ashleigh O’Keefe as they reflect on the lifelong value of lessons learnt through participation in sport. See omnystudio.com/liste...

In this episode, host Lyndal Tait speaks with Leisa Aitken and Inaburra Principal Dr James Pietsch about hope – what we understand it to be and how we can build greater hope in our own lives and in the lives of young people. The conversation explores the ways hope is seen in our coping and waiting, in our capacity to see meaningful possibilities, and in the ‘glimpses’ which speak to realities that...

Hope is essential for a flourishing life but in our anxious and overwhelmed post-pandemic world, many are struggling to be hopeful. What can we do to nurture hope in ourselves and in young people? This talk explores recent psychological research as well as the wisdom of philosophers and theologians through history on the nature of hope, what is currently hindering our experience of it, and practic...

In this episode, host Lyndal Tait speaks with Inaburra’s new leader of Learning Support, Vanessa Culbert about neurodiversity. Vanessa shares from her unique perspective as both as psychologist and teacher about how neurodiversity can be defined, the challenges it often raises for us in learning settings, and the potential superpowers of individual learners that we can tend to miss when we view ne...

What does it mean to collaborate? Why is it critical to be an effective collaborator and how can we implement collaboration in our workplace or school? This interactive presentation by Professor Michael Anderson focuses on broadening our perspective of collaboration. Michael discusses how intentional and deliberate strategies are necessary to embed a collaborative culture in the day-to-day working...

In this episode, host Lyndal Tait speaks with Professor Michael Anderson and Inaburra's Learning Leader of Stage and Screen Glenn Snowball, about creativity in learning. Creativity is something which is inherent in each of us, and yet certain activities we engage in can strengthen that capacity. Michael shares a global perspective on where creativity education is up to, and Glenn speaks from the v...

In this episode, host Lyndal Tait speaks with Inaburra School Principal, Dr James Pietsch, as well as Director of Teaching and Learning, Karen Lymn and Director of Professional Learning, Chris Smith, about Learning Character. What is it? Why is it important? and how do we foster it in our students?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lecture, Michael begins by looking at art as ‘true witness’ through George Gittoes’ collection of stories and drawings of the Kibeho massacre. He reflects on how the artist sought to write ‘as beautifully as possible’ in order to honour the humanity of those who suffered and explores how some ‘emotive regions could only be reached by drawing and painting’. After an historical exploration o...

In this lecture, Mark gives a compelling case for the live performance as a ubiquitous form which highlights the importance of our human embodiment. He argues that art needs no justification, in the way that love needs no justification. Reflecting on a Christian theology of creation, Mark suggests that our impulse to ‘make something of the world’, or make culture, is an impulse born out of being d...

In this lecture, Greg begins with a discussion of philosophical theology as it relates to music, creation and human striving. He talks about the ‘seriousness’ of the Arts, how they close in on meaning and evoke a sense of life’s significance.  “Art seems to get closer to the soul. Stories suggest life is more than random. Movies suggest life is more magical. Music suggests life is more significant...