Trailblazing Schools with Trudy Graham

In this episode, Caroline White, relieving Principal at Sir Eric Woodward School in NSW, shares her insights on the complexities of school leadership and how AI can be used to support inclusive education. Caroline and Trudy discuss balancing multiple roles as a school principal and how AI can reduce cognitive load and administrative stress. Caroline shares how Sir Eric Woodward School is using tec...

In this episode, Trudy explores the impact of AI on workload and productivity, highlighting the paradoxes and challenges that come with technological advancements in education and work. Trudy begins by mentioning the usual fears people share about AI, and outlines her own fears around AI causing an unintentional increase in workload for educators and school leaders.  Trudy explores the research ab...

In this insightful interview, Paul McGregor shares the power of asking better questions, leading with curiosity, and thinking long-term about legacy and impact. Trudy and Paul discuss the origin of the word ‘trailblazing’ and its metaphorical meaning, the role of curiosity and silence in effective communication, as well as the impact of leadership experiences on personal growth. They discuss the i...

In this episode, Trudy explores how AI is transforming education through three distinct phases, from staff productivity to student learning multiplier. She shares the pathway from getting started and experimenting with the tools individually, through leveraging AI as a thinking partner to reduce workload and reclaim wellbeing, and finally to the ways AI can be used in to increase student engagemen...

In this episode, Tim Prerau-Lorking from Cromehurst School shares insights on leading a School for Specific Purposes (SSP) , the role of AI in education, and building strong community connections. Tim shares the impact AI tools have had on his leadership, his staff’s workload and learnings he’s had about how to navigate complex school environments effectively. Trudy and Tim discuss the importance...

In this insightful interview, Dr. Jodi Richardson shares her journey through anxiety, her work in education, and practical strategies for supporting mental health in schools. Discover how leadership, understanding stress, and embracing technology can transform school environments into safe, thriving spaces. Get in touch with Dr Jodi at https://drjodirichardson.com/ Resources: Find out more about t...

In this episode, discover a simple 10-minute activity to help leaders pause, reflect, and recognise their progress at the end of any period. Trudy explains how this practice boosts motivation, enhances self-awareness, and shifts focus from what’s left to do to what has been achieved. By sharing two powerful examples from Principals in the Leaders Learning Circle, she demonstrates the impact of shi...

In this engaging interview, Yvonne Watt, principal of Glen Aplin State School in QLD, shares her innovative use of AI to enhance leadership, improve work-life balance, and community engagement in a small rural school. Trudy and Yvonne discuss the challenges of being a teaching principal and the use cases Yvonne and her team have found to use AI to reduce workload and support teaching and learning....

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how AI can serve as a thinking partner for school leaders, reducing cognitive load and freeing up time for leadership. Trudy begins with her story of how she began to explore AI and understand the benefits for teachers and school leaders, and why it’s not a replacement for judgment. She highlights the difference between leadership, and...

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy explores the loneliness faced by small school principals, the systemic gaps that contribute to it, and practical ways to build supportive professional relationships. Trudy explains that leadership loneliness is common but not inevitable, and offers insights into overcoming isolation and fostering meaningful connections. She shares a personal story abo...

In this interview, Trudy Graham speaks with primary school principal Karen Mulder from Warwick Farm in Sydney. Karen shares her journey of leading a diverse school, fostering collaboration with the neighbouring school, and how AI is transforming her leadership and teaching practices. Discover tips for integrating AI as a creative partner in education, encouraging staff to engage with innovation, a...

In this episode, Trudy Graham explores how school leaders can manage overwhelm through three key types of thinking: shared, augmented, and solution-focused thinking. This episode follows up from the previous episode about the architecture of overwhelm and shares what the research in this area tells us about how to manage, including leveraging social capital and AI tools, to enhance decision-making...

In this episode, Trudy Graham unpacks the architecture of overwhelm and the complex system dynamics that result in school leaders to feel overwhelmed. Rather than simple time management tips, Trudy explains the five layers of overwhelm, including volume, complexity, stakes, constraints and human limits. She explores why school leadership has become increasingly complex and adaptive, the impact of...

From Art Galleries to AI: Trudy explores school leadership insights with Ruth Rogers, principal of Karonga School in Sydney. In this episode, Ruth shares her real-world experiences of integrating AI into her leadership practices, balancing emotional complexity, and fostering community connections Resources:  Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and...

In this episode, Trudy Graham and Simi Rayat explore how emotional capacity, joy and intentional leadership states are essential for navigating uncharted territory in both education and business. Simi shares practical tools including her Five Qs Formula and the Joy Index, to help leaders build resilience, regulate emotions, and foster thriving cultures. Trudy and Simi discuss how AI can support bu...

In this conversation, Trudy Graham discusses the common plateau that leaders and educators reach when using AI, emphasising that the issue lies not in technology but in practice. She introduces three accelerators for building AI capability: application in personal and professional contexts, experimentation through play, and collaboration with others. Each accelerator is explored as Trudy highlight...

In this conversation, Trudy Graham discusses the complexities and fears surrounding the integration of AI in education. She introduces her AI competencies model, which outlines the essential skills educators need to effectively utilise AI tools. The conversation emphasises the importance of understanding AI models, crafting effective prompts, and evaluating AI responses to enhance educational outc...

In this episode of the Trailblazing Schools podcast, Trudy Graham and Katrina Bourke discuss the challenges and emotional landscape of school leadership. They explore the concept of 'grounded leadership,' emphasising the importance of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the ability to navigate uncertainty. Katrina shares personal stories and practical strategies for leaders to stay steady...

In this episode of the Trailblazing Schools podcast, Trudy Graham speaks with Dean Finlay and Shane Liackman from Ocean Road Primary School about their innovative journey into AI in education. They discuss the context of their school, and how they are building a culture of shared learning and collaboration. The conversation highlights the development of AI policies, practical applications of AI in...

In the inaugural episode of the Trailblazing Schools podcast, Trudy Graham discusses the complexities of educational leadership in today's rapidly changing environment. She emphasises the challenges faced by school leaders, including increased demands for personalised learning, teacher shortages, and the emotional toll on staff and students. The podcast aims to explore the role of AI in supporting...

Hit + FOLLOW in your podcast app now so you don't miss when Trailblazing Schools launches. Leading a school today can feel like navigating uncharted territory. The pace is faster, expectations are stacking, and decisions feel more complex than ever. Welcome to  Trailblazing Schools  with Trudy Graham—a podcast for school leaders who are leading in the middle of complexity, not at the edge of it. T...