Organisational Directions increases equity of access to great learning.
We do this by creating practical professional learning experiences, grounded in research and evidence, for graduates, experienced teachers, middle leaders, principals, teams and school culture.
> Who we areWhat we do
We get the blend right!
Online, face-to-face, interactive, reflective and mostly experiential. Baselines, strengths, opportunities, progress and impact will be clear and measurable. We'll have fun!
Our partner research company, Learner Insights, ensures we learn from the learners first! Agile and inclusive, Learner Insights formulates questions for inquiry that empower learners as active agents in the research and design and delivery process.
> Learner InsightsOrganisational Directions also partners digital media agency, Smith Brothers, to design, develop and build the digital elements to be included in a fit for purpose blend of learning experiences.
> Smith Brothers MEDIA
What we've done.
Our portfolio of work reflects the depth of our systemwide commitment to supporting equity of access to great teaching and learning. We have delivered state-wide, school leadership development programs across metropolitan and regional Victoria using a blend of face-to face workshopping and online delivery methods over the last ten years.
We have coached individuals and leadership teams in more than 100 schools, worked with more than 35 principal networks and supported 500 middle leaders to influence schoolwide improvements in teaching and learning.
Organisational Directions has recently launched its Doing less better® series for schools.
Doing less better®
Organisational Directions has recently launched its Doing less better® series for schools.
Leading with clarity
Leading clarity of purpose, role, communication, decision-making and authentic self.
Leading with social and emotional intelligence
Leading by recognising individual, team and cultural strengths, habits and opportunities for development and professional growth.
Leading team 'talk'
Leading team talk by agreeing and implementing protocols for agenda setting, turn taking, feedback seeking, learning from different viewpoints and observations of working style preferences.
Coaching for action
Co-design your differentiated bundle of coaching sessions for individuals, teaching and leadership teams, including support for leading school climate.
Leading with clarity
Leading clarity of purpose, role, communication, decision-making and authentic self.
Leading with social and emotional intelligence
Leading by recognising individual, team and cultural strengths, habits and opportunities for development and professional growth.
Leading team 'talk'
Leading team talk by agreeing and implementing protocols for agenda setting, turn taking, feedback seeking, learning from different viewpoints and observations of working style preferences.
Coaching for action
Co-design your differentiated bundle of coaching sessions for individuals, teaching and leadership teams, including support for leading school climate.
Who we are
We are career 'schoolies'.
Previously, we have had roles as teachers, middle leaders, principals, Senior Education Improvement Leaders, school reviewers, regional executives and university researchers.
Our street smarts are complemented with first class credentials in Education, Organisational Psychology and Project Management. We are accredited leadership and team coaches. Your project team will be carefully selected for "fit" - experience, skills and passion.
Your project team
DR SUE PERILLO
Sue made a commitment to never losing sight of what is meaningful to practitioners and she has kept it!
Sue is the founder and Managing Director of Organisational Directions. She commenced her own schooling at Deer Park Primary school and started teaching dance at the age of 15. Sue's creativity is evident in her ability to translate research into practical online and face to face learning experiences. The experience she has gained performing leadership and teaching roles in a variety of schools over decades is complemented by a PhD in Education, Honours and Masters in Organisational Psychology, as well as a Bachelor of Commerce. Her research investigating innovating in schools has been published in international academic journals.
LOUISE GUNTHER
Project management is serious business and so is play!
If you want to do the right thing, the right way, the first time and have fun doing it, then you need Louise. Attention to detail, proactivity and clear verbal and written communication are just some of Louise’s management skills and her strengths don’t stop here. Louise likes nothing more than incorporating fun and creative tools into her approach to educational leadership. Whether in her previous role as a secondary principal of a very large school, or working with educational not-for-profits, Louise is highly regarded as a visionary leader with a boundless energy to ‘raise the bar’ and achieve excellence. Louise is a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, DISC Advanced Accredited Consultant and has trained with ICA UK in methods for Focused Conversations & Consensus Workshops using Group Facilitation Methods. Ever the networker, Louise connects with people through her warmth and genuine rapport to support the journey of aspiring leaders – efficiently and effectively.
STEVE LYON
Where Steve goes, a community is in the making!
Steve is a proud and passionate educator. Steve brings a breadth and depth of experience leading stakeholder engagement and systemwide improvement. This has been demonstrated in his roles as Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), primary school principal and special schools network leader. Steve has also been a recipient of the National Numeracy Award and accomplished presenter. His unwavering commitment to school community is evidenced by the professional relationships he has built throughout his career.
IRENE ILIADIS
There is nothing in Irene's 'too hard basket'!
Irene's passion for equity has driven her commitment to leading and influencing improvement in schools inclusively.
Irene's leadership experience spans College Principal - Level 6, Senior Campus Principal at Hume Secondary College, Assistant Principal at Hillcrest Secondary College/HCSC and Leading Teacher (Middle Years Innovation and Excellence) at Debney Park Secondary College. She has a depth of expertise leading, mentoring and coaching in schools with a high proportion of students who have English as an additional language. She has been an active member of the Language Provision Reference Advisory Committee, State-wide Multicultural Education Curriculum Unit and an ESL/ Multicultural Consultant.
ROSS KIMBER
In addition to a lifelong commitment to learning, Ross has creativity in abundance!
Ross' systemwide expertise is deep and broad. His practical 'know how' has been acquired during his roles as Regional Director, Executive Director, Regional Network Leader, school principal and teacher. Ross' research investigating '(Victorian) Schools that achieve extraordinary success' remains a highly utilised resource across Victoria's schooling system. He is a talented photographer capturing diverse, captivating images.
CHERYL CHAPPLE
Not a fan of email, every conversation is a learning opportunity for Cheryl!
Cheryl's has acquired a deep insight into the role professional learning conversations play in school improvement in a variety of contexts. during her roles as school reviewer, Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), school principal and teacher. Cheryl is committed to improving outcomes for all students by creating collaborative opportunities for teachers to flourish when learning together.
CAROLYN WOODHOUSE
Mention the word data to see Carolyn smile!
Carolyn's passion for education and educators is evidenced through the decades she has spent as an educator and school leader in secondary and special schools and consulting with teachers and school leaders to improve outcomes for all students. Coupled with the discipline of logic from a scientific background, Carolyn's friendly disposition ensures that data and evidence are experienced as nonthreatening enablers of professional growth and school improvement.
WAYNE PERKINS
It is firstly and always about what the students need most.
A focus on the learner and learner voice has been a constant in Wayne’s role as a teacher, professional learning and curriculum leader, secondary campus principal, principal, curriculum writer, project leader, coach and mentor. For Wayne, learning and leadership take place in a context driven by conversations and relationships, listening and speaking, giving and receiving. This passion for learning and range of experience is combined with a sense of humour, curiosity and a love of challenge.
MIKE SHERRY
Mike will provide you with the guidance and structure for converging on priorities and decisions when you need it!
Mike brings a depth of online and face to face coaching and facilitation skills to adult learning experiences in a broad range of educational and workplace settings. His skills are underpinned by a strong research base and practical experience. Implementation is Mike's passion. He derives much satisfaction from supporting others to develop and achieve clear goals. Mike has supported regional networks, school leadership teams and teams across the TAFE sector to plan and implement improvement plans and activities.
JUDY PARK
Meet Judy and instantly you will know that she cares about and sets high expectations for learning - for one and all!
Judy's depth of practical insights into the complexities of leading school improvement inclusively and in regional contexts have been acquired during her roles as school principal in primary schools and system wide coaching. Judy is passionate about and committed to empowering teachers to develop skills and capabilities and affirm their sense of professional identity. Judy's emotional intelligence and collaborative nature enable her to seamlessly adapt her analytical skills to diverse settings.
SANDRA DIAFAS
Empathetic, fun loving and a passion for recognising and promoting the best in others is the impression Sandra will make
Sandra is a dynamic and engaging educator, who passionately uses her well-honed instincts to empower others as transformational learners. Her curiosity is infectious. She has a breadth of leadership experiences, including but not limited to Principalship in secondary schools, that allows her to support others to develop visions of leadership that are appropriate for the context in which the role will be performed. Sandra is committed to supporting emerging leaders to embark on an affirming learning journey.
PROFESSOR PETER EBELING
Our distinguished professor!
In 2015, Professor Peter Ebeling was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to medicine through academic contributions and research initiatives in a range of administrative, executive and professional roles. He is committed to health and education equity and played a pivotal role in gaining federal and state government funding to build the Sunshine hospital as part of Western health services. Peter's research interests include refugee health. Peter's passion is educating medical graduates and he is good at it. Peter's skills in research methodology are clearly exemplary. Medical settings provided the impetus for the practice of instructional rounds in schools. Peters insights into maximising learning from observation practice and developing empathetic communication skills are invaluable enhancements for the professional learning of teachers and leaders in schools.
ROD WILLIAMSON
Rod’s essentials for leading learning are energy, enthusiasm, a relaxed style and sense of humour
Rod is committed to building professional relationships that empower and engage learners at all levels. Empathy goes hand in hand with experience when enabling teachers and students to learn and achieve. His experience gained as a secondary school principal and in senior regional leadership roles within the DET equips him with a very practical understanding of school leadership. Rod has also been a Lead Assessor in the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) program, Student Achievement Manager (SAM) and supported the professional growth of Literacy and Numeracy leaders and Learning Specialists in Victorian schools.
LOUISE GUNTHER
Project management is serious business and so is play!
If you want to do the right thing, the right way, the first time and have fun doing it, then you need Louise. Attention to detail, proactivity and clear verbal and written communication are just some of Louise’s management skills and her strengths don’t stop here. Louise likes nothing more than incorporating fun and creative tools into her approach to educational leadership. Whether in her previous role as a secondary principal of a very large school, or working with educational not-for-profits, Louise is highly regarded as a visionary leader with a boundless energy to ‘raise the bar’ and achieve excellence. Louise is a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator, DISC Advanced Accredited Consultant and has trained with ICA UK in methods for Focused Conversations & Consensus Workshops using Group Facilitation Methods. Ever the networker, Louise connects with people through her warmth and genuine rapport to support the journey of aspiring leaders – efficiently and effectively.
STEVE LYON
Where Steve goes, a community is in the making!
Steve is a proud and passionate educator. Steve brings a breadth and depth of experience leading stakeholder engagement and system wide improvement. This has been demonstrated in his roles as Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), primary school principal and special schools network leader. Steve has also been a recipient of the National Numeracy Award and accomplished presenter. His unwavering commitment to school community is evidenced by the professional relationships he has built throughout his career.
IRENE ILIADIS
There is nothing in Irene's 'too hard basket'!
Irene's passion for equity has driven her commitment to leading and influencing improvement in schools inclusively.
Irene's leadership experience spans College Principal - Level 6, Senior Campus Principal at Hume Secondary College, Assistant Principal at Hillcrest Secondary College/HCSC and Leading Teacher (Middle Years Innovation and Excellence) at Debney Park Secondary College. She has a depth of expertise leading, mentoring and coaching in schools with a high proportion of students who have English as an additional language. She has been an active member of the Language Provision Reference Advisory Committee, State-wide Multicultural Education Curriculum Unit and an ESL/ Multicultural Consultant.
ROSS KIMBER
In addition to a lifelong commitment to learning, Ross has creativity in abundance!
Ross' systemwide expertise is deep and broad. His practical 'know how' has been acquired during his roles as Regional Director, Executive Director, Regional Network Leader, school principal and teacher. Ross' research investigating '(Victorian) Schools that achieve extraordinary success' remains a highly utilised resource across Victoria's schooling system. He is a talented photographer capturing diverse, captivating images.
CHERYL CHAPPLE
Not a fan of email, every conversation is a learning opportunity for Cheryl!
Cheryl's has acquired a deep insight into the role professional learning conversations play in school improvement in a variety of contexts. during her roles as school reviewer, Senior Education Improvement Leader (SEIL), school principal and teacher. Cheryl is committed to improving outcomes for all students by creating collaborative opportunities for teachers to flourish when learning together.
CAROLYN WOODHOUSE
Mention the word data to see Carolyn smile!
Carolyn's passion for education and educators is evidenced through the decades she has spent as an educator and school leader in secondary and special schools and consulting with teachers and school leaders to improve outcomes for all students. Coupled with the discipline of logic from a scientific background, Carolyn's friendly disposition ensures that data and evidence are experienced as nonthreatening enablers of professional growth and school improvement.
WAYNE PERKINS
It is firstly and always about what the students need most.
A focus on the learner and learner voice has been a constant in Wayne’s role as a teacher, professional learning and curriculum leader, secondary campus principal, principal, curriculum writer, project leader, coach and mentor. For Wayne, learning and leadership take place in a context driven by conversations and relationships, listening and speaking, giving and receiving. This passion for learning and range of experience is combined with a sense of humour, curiosity and a love of challenge.
MIKE SHERRY
Mike will provide you with the guidance and structure for converging on priorities and decisions when you need it!
Mike brings a depth of online and face to face coaching and facilitation skills to adult learning experiences in a broad range of educational and workplace settings. His skills are underpinned by a strong research base and practical experience. Implementation is Mike's passion. He derives much satisfaction from supporting others to develop and achieve clear goals. Mike has supported regional networks, school leadership teams and teams across the TAFE sector to plan and implement improvement plans and activities.
JUDY PARK
Meet Judy and instantly you will know that she cares about and sets high expectations for learning - for one and all!
Judy's depth of practical insights into the complexities of leading school improvement inclusively and in regional contexts have been acquired during her roles as school principal in primary schools and systemwide coaching. Judy is passionate about and committed to empowering teachers to develop skills and capabilities and affirm their sense of professional identity. Judy's emotional intelligence and collaborative nature enable her to seamlessly adapt her analytical skills to diverse settings.
SANDRA DIAFAS
Empathetic, fun loving and a passion for recognising and promoting the best in others is the impression Sandra will make.
Sandra is a dynamic and engaging educator, who passionately uses her well-honed instincts to empower others as transformational learners. Her curiosity is infectious. She has a breadth of leadership experiences, including but not limited to Principalship in secondary schools, that allows her to support others to develop visions of leadership that are appropriate for the context in which the role will be performed. Sandra is committed to supporting emerging leaders to embark on an affirming learning journey.
PROFESSOR PETER EBELING
Our distinguished professor!
In 2015, Professor Peter Ebeling was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for his distinguished service to medicine through academic contributions and research initiatives in a range of administrative, executive and professional roles. He is committed to health and education equity and played a pivotal role in gaining federal and state government funding to build the Sunshine hospital as part of Western health services. Peter's research interests include refugee health. Peter's passion is educating medical graduates and he is good at it. Peter's skills in research methodology are clearly exemplary. Medical settings provided the impetus for the practice of instructional rounds in schools. Peters insights into maximising learning from observation practice and developing empathetic communication skills are invaluable enhancements for the professional learning of teachers and leaders in schools.
ROD WILLIAMSON
Rod’s essentials for leading learning are energy, enthusiasm, a relaxed style and sense of humour.
Rod is committed to building professional relationships that empower and engage learners at all levels. Empathy goes hand in hand with experience when enabling teachers and students to learn and achieve. His experience gained as a secondary school principal and in senior regional leadership roles within the DET equips him with a very practical understanding of school leadership. Rod has also been a Lead Assessor in the Victorian Aspiring Principal Assessment (VAPA) program, Student Achievement Manager (SAM) and supported the professional growth of Literacy and Numeracy leaders and Learning Specialists in Victorian schools.
What we value
We love learning.
Collaboration is instinctive and finding ways to sustain connections between co-learners is a natural inclusion in the professional learning experiences we create.
We respect.
Trust, openness to learning from different viewpoints and empathy are not simply program concepts we teach. They are behaviours we hold ourselves accountable for living every day.
Our culture is sacrosanct.
We care. We are authentic and non-compromising when it comes to integrity and work ethic. When the value we add is visible and enduring, we have met our own expectations.
Karen is emerging artist whose work is influenced aesthetically by her local environment exploration of other environments. She draws on the colour and patterns in nature. All subject matter of the native flora and fauna in her art has elements of aboriginal art symbols, incorporated into the patterns or alone in the design of pieces.
Conceptually, Karen is interested in history and memory and the remnants, scars and unseen traces left in spaces.
Conceptually, Karen is interested in history and memory and the remnants, scars and unseen traces left in spaces.
Karen's Aboriginal heritage is connected to Wiradjuri Country "the land of the three rivers" and the Tubba-gah people central NSW Dubbo.
> Artworks
How to connect
Organisational Directions values all opportunities to create professional learning experiences. Let's connect.
Email Sue@organisationaldirections.com.au
Phone +61 408589089
... and stay connected.
Organisational Directions Membership Hub
Acknowledgement of country
In the spirit of reconciliation, Organisational Directions pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and elders of this nation and extend our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their connections to land, sea and community and cultural, spiritual and educational practices.