Minnis Journals

For Education Leaders

The Butterfly Effect and School Planning

While the practice and structure of schools, in general, have a stable, unchanging appearance, the context in which schools exist is sometimes changed rapidly and schools have to adapt to the unexpected. School finance, staffing, policies, and facilities are often the targets for such unexpected changes, which mean class structures and curriculum delivery can be compromised. In the development of school Risk Policies, it is fair to expect the unexpected. Read more

Confident Learners use AI for Deeper Dives

Students’ learning habits are deeply connected to how they engage with generative artificial intelligence tools.
Self-regulated learning skills play a significant role in whether students adopt AI as a meaningful learning aid or merely a quick solution for academic tasks. Those who are motivated to learn and manage their study efforts effectively consider AI a useful resource.
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Students Should Look at VET Amid Widening Skills Shortages

As Australia faces critical workforce shortages across key industries, National Skills Week 2025 (25–31 August) will shine a spotlight on the power of vocational education and training (VET) to transform lives.
“Explore ALL the Options!”, is this year’s theme for National Skills Week and they are calling on school leavers, career changers, job seekers, and parents to consider VET as a first-choice pathway.
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Fixing Australia’s Writing Crisis

When students write well, they’re not just communicating clearly, they’re also thinking clearly. Writing is how we structure, organise, and reveal our thoughts. It helps students make sense of complex ideas, solve problems, and retain knowledge over time. Strong writing skills boost confidence, deepen learning, and empower young people to engage meaningfully with the world around them.
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Revolutionising Career Readiness: The Case for AI-Powered Guidance in Australian Schools

The combined impact of a global pandemic, economic turbulence, rapid technological acceleration and growing climate pressures has transformed the workforce - reshaping traditional career paths and introducing entirely new ones. For today’s school leavers, the landscape they’re entering is profoundly different from the one previous generations experienced. One constant remains - the uncertainty many young people feel after school. Read more

From Classrooms to Compliance: Rethinking School Workforce Management

The challenge for schools is that compliance mistakes are already common. Across the sector, three issues come up time and time again: incorrect staff classifications, miscalculated entitlements like leave loading or higher duties, and the mismanagement of employees working under multiple contracts. These common errors are results of outdated systems that fail to keep up with the increasing complexity of award and enterprise agreement (EA) interpretations. Read more