Becoming a Compassionate System – Term 2 Reflection
These workshops offer leaders a space to deepen personal mastery, share real-world experiences, and focus on projects that grow both individual and organisational capacities.
In our third workshop, Bec Clements, Principal of Immanuel Primary School, shared her inspiring journey. She began with the school’s strategic planning, shaped by the Growing Deep Vocational Practices and Business Planning Framework, informed by ongoing stakeholder feedback that clarified purpose and vision.
Alongside organisational growth, Bec shared her personal leadership journey—reflecting on self-awareness, vulnerability, and the use of tools to examine mental models and patterns of thinking and responding. She highlighted how students and staff are also engaging with these practices to build their own capabilities and systems awareness.
Bec emphasised the role of the leadership team in modelling these practices and cultivating a shared approach aligned with the school’s aspirations and values. This journey is woven into all aspects of school life including worship, teaching and learning and wellbeing, centred on the school’s vision and values.
Administrative staff across our learning communities have been engaging in online and in-person workshops to build leadership capabilities through Compassionate Systems tools and practices. These workshops support participants in navigating role complexity, developing self-awareness and emotional literacy, and recognizing how emotions shape mental models and actions.
They are also learning to manage stress, suspend judgment, and apply systems thinking for effective action. Participants have found these skills valuable not only in their work, but across all areas of life.
It has been a privilege to work with emerging leaders at Redeemer Nuriootpa, Immanuel Novar Gardens, and Good Shepherd Para Vista. These schools support staff in or aspiring to leadership roles by providing dedicated professional learning time to build leadership capacity. The energy, commitment, and thoughtful reflection shown during these sessions is truly inspiring and exemplify the schools’ commitment to Growing Capacity by “fostering a climate of learning, reflection and wellbeing” (Growing Deep).
