Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of our words. They matter. Often more than we realise.
At school, this idea has been a central theme in recent conversations with our students, even shaping our most recent assembly. We’ve been discussing the impact of words, not just what we say, but how we say it. Whether in casual chats or more intentional mentoring and coaching conversations, the words we choose influence the culture of our school.
I also shared in our staff newsletter:
The words we speak shape the culture in our school — this goes for the adults as well as our students. Importantly, the tone of our school isn’t set by our students, but by the adults leading it — it starts with us, all of us! Whether it’s a friendly greeting, a casual joke, a whispered comment or a kind compliment, these words ripple through the lives of others, often more deeply than we realise. As educators, we have a unique opportunity (and responsibility) to help our students understand the immense power our words hold and to model kind and respectful communication.
Every word we speak is like a stone thrown into water, rippling far beyond what we see. Our words can lift someone up or tear them down in seconds. Our words have power, and we need to choose whether we use that power for good or evil. When we model compassion, respect and thoughtful communication with one another, our students notice. A strong positive adult culture becomes the rich soil in which a kind student culture can grow. We can model this in all our interactions by using affirming, inclusive language and celebrating each other’s efforts and successes.
Beyond our school, I recently attended two events that also reminded me just how much words matter. One of these was the AISWA Leaders Conference, where I was kindly invited by Executive Director Chris Massey. Held at Optus Stadium, with the glittering Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) providing a stunning and slightly distracting backdrop, the day offered a powerful opportunity to hear from various speakers, including the inspirational Dr Gill Hicks, whose message reinforced the lasting impact of the words we choose.
Gill Hicks was the last living victim to be rescued from the rubble of the 2005 London subway bombings, and her injuries were so severe she was not expected to live. Her story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. What’s truly remarkable is how she transformed such a tragic and life-changing event into an opportunity to seek meaning and purpose. In her speech, Gill spoke about the power of words and the deep impact they have. She reminded us that what we say truly matters. Words are a vehicle for connection, and the way we speak to others can change both their lives and ours. She encouraged us to live with the goal of thriving, and to be mindful of the footprint we leave on the lives of others. Her message was clear: are we using our words to connect, to encourage, to lift others up? Are we also speaking to ourselves with kindness, saying, “I can, I can, I can”? The power of our words came through in everything she shared.
Ciara Lancaster, a self-proclaimed Marvel superfan, spoke about change leadership and compared leaders to superheroes. She introduced the idea of “portals of possibility,” reminding us that even superheroes need new strategies to break into new dimensions. Her message was that leaders must guide both the brilliant and the weary through change and the fatigue that can come with it, outlining three essential leadership conversations to meet this goal:
- Clarity – drawing on Brené Brown’s idea that “clear is kind,” helping people understand what’s important and why.
- Compassion – asking whether someone wants us to listen or coach, checking in with questions like What’s keeping you up at night? and What do you need right now?
- Capacity – exploring willingness to change and strategies to support that growth
Each of these conversations is shaped by the words we choose and the questions we ask, as well as how we show up and listen to the words of others.
In addition, ACEL WA hosted an Innovation Network Meet-up, where five educators and leaders shared their stories in an evening full of connection and meaningful conversation. Wayne Revitt, Head of Junior School, Penrhos College, shared how their school is shifting the narrative from encouraging girls to be ‘good’ (quiet and compliant) to empowering them as ‘positive rebels’—strong, expressive, and adventure-seeking young women; highlighting how even the words we use to describe ourselves impacts greatly on our lives.
Professor Karen Murcia, from Curtin University, spoke about taking a bold idea and turning it into a living, breathing space for young children, educators and researchers to explore and innovate with digital technologies. Her message is that if you have a vision, say it out loud and say it often. Find the language and way of communicating that helps others see it too. Karen reminded us that we have to be brave and champion the cause, even when it’s uncomfortable. She also highlighted the importance of storytelling - placing children and their voices at the centre of the work. In short, she encouraged us to find our truth and passion and share it widely.
Kate Johnson and Nick Smith from Catholic Education WA shared the development of a platform for teachers that identifies data insights and suggests AI-generated learning experiences tailored to students’ needs. Their focus is on equity, ensuring all students have strong academic skills and also develop dispositions like creativity, collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking. Importantly, the key part of this process involved them actively seeking honest feedback from teachers, asking, Will you actually use this? or What would improve this? and then used that feedback to improve the tool for it to be as helpful as possible. They inadvertently outlined how using our words well to seek critical feedback is key to the success of innovative projects.
Jo Willesee, principal of Hammond Park Secondary College, shared her journey of shaping school culture from the day the school opened. Her vision was to build a place where people genuinely want to work, where staff value one another and the students. This is a culture built by design, not by default. Jo spoke about the importance of championing students - speaking positively about them, not critically or dismissively. She emphasised knowing their stories and creating a place where they are seen and valued. A guiding question she asks herself and others daily is, How have you influenced the culture today? Her message: be respectful and expect excellence. Ultimately highlighting that school culture is shaped by the words we speak.
In each of these moments, the underlying message was the same: words shape reality. Whether we're building culture, leading change, supporting students, or sharing a vision, what we say, and how we say it, truly matters.
How can you go out this week, and into the future, and make a positive difference with your words?
REGISTER NOW
Term 2 Hot Topic Event – Pathways to Leadership
Register for an evening of connection and conversation at our ACEL WA Leadership Hot Topic Conversation: Pathways to Leadership (Navigating the journey from teacher to leader).
Join us for a panel discussion where a group of leaders and educators will delve into the topic of leadership development and share their thoughts on questions like:
What counts as leadership in our schools and who gets to decide?
- What hidden messages do we send about who is ‘leadership material’ in our systems?
- What stories do we tell (or not tell) about who leads in our schools, and who’s left out of those stories?
- Are our current leadership pathways growing the kind of leaders our students and schools truly need, and are they enough?
👤Hosted by Dr Ray Boyd; Principal, Dayton Primary School
👤👤👤Panellists:
· Meika Pfeiffer-Gough (Manager, Leadership & Teaching Excellence; AISWA)
· Fiona McBeath (Principal Advisor; Department of Education)
· Darren A. Bryant (Professor & Deputy Head of School; Curtin University School of Education)
📅 Wednesday 11th June 25
🕒 5:00pm to 7:00pm
📍 In-person (Leadership Institute 164-194 Oxford St, Leederville) or online via Teams
💸 Free for members, $10 for non-members (pizza 🍕 and drinks 🍷provided)
📲 Register here to attend this fabulous event
📢 Please share with your networks and encourage your colleagues to come along.
July ACEL WA Book Club – Deep Work by Cal Newport
Love to read? Love to learn? Charged to lead?
Join the ACEL WA team for an Educational Leadership Book Club
📅 Thursday 17th July 2025
🕒 10:00am to 12:00pm
📍In-person (venue to be confirmed) or online
Steps:
1. Get yourself a copy of 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport wherever you source your books.
2. Read the book (or part of the book) before we meet.
3. Let us know you can join us via the ACELWA website. REGISTER NOW
4. Join other educational leaders for collegial conversation and connection.
New ACEL WA Members
It is so exciting to see the extensive list of new (and reinstated) ACEL members in WA who joined our educational leadership family this past month. We are so happy to have you join (or rejoin) us and we look forward to connecting with at an event soon.
- Trent Collins, Port Hedland PS
- Samantha Wright, Muludja Remote Community School
- Andrew Howie, SEDA College
- Ellie Collins, SEDA College
- Lisa Wilkins, SEDA College
- Silv Lombardi, SEDA College
- Rocky Collins, SEDA College
- Leah Allen, School of Alternative Learning Settings
- Benjamin Waters, School of Alternative Learning Settings
- Annette Wilson, Tom Price Senior High School
- Andrea Griffin, North Tom Price Primary School
- Natasha Finch, Baler Primary School
- Megan Oliver, Port Hedland Primary School
- Kathleen Robbins, Newman Primary School
- Mary-Jane Crutchley, Hedland Senior High School
- Alice Colbeck, Hedland Senior High School
- Chelsea Silvasi, South Hedland Primary School
- Cyril Boelema, South Newman Primary School
- Justin Brockett, Tom Price SHS
- Emily Cooke, La Grange Remote Community School
- Rebecca Kevin, La Grange Remote Community School
- Cassandra Rothe, La Grange Remote Community School
- Ella Smillie, Halls Creek DHS
- David Winter, Broome SHS
- Eric Dawud, Hedland SHS
- Bradley Engelbrecht, Kalumburu Remote Community School
- Michael Brown, Kingsway Christian College
- Graham Irvine, Kingsway Christian College
- Sebastien Gerbaz, Kingsway Christian College
- Gai Irvine, Kingsway Christian College
- Peter Burton, Kingsway Christian College
- Matthew Lovell, Kingsway Christian College
- Tina Nottle, Bunbury SHS
- Merrilee Wright, Real Schools
- Felicity Lampard, Karratha PS
Thank you to you all for either joining our community or rejoining, it is such a joy to have you connected with us. We encourage you to invite your colleagues to be part of this fabulous group of passionate and dedicated educators and leaders.
ACEL WA Executive Team Spotlight – Gary Racey
This month our ACEL WA executive member spotlight shines on Gary Racey, our amazing Vice President of the ACEL WA branch, MC extraordinaire, epic seat-liner-upper and Director of School Operations at Perth College. Gary’s profile is below and he has also shared his thoughts on the rise of the 21st-century educational leader in the linked article.
READ The Rise of the 21st-Century Educational Leader by Gary Racey
A big thank you to Gary for sharing his thoughts with us all, it definitely gives us food for thought in relation to our own leadership in complex and challenging times and to consider how can we be catalysts for change? Do connect with Gary on LinkedIn and comment on his article in the ACEL Members’ Lounge to share your own thoughts and open a dialogue on 21st century leadership.
We hope to see many of at the upcoming events this term and we encourage you to bring along your colleagues!
As always, I am reachable by email if you have any questions, comments or just want to connect.
Rachael Lehr
ACEL WA Branch President