Julie Walker

I am a positive, approachable, and authentic person. I am grounded in my values and ethics in everything I do. It's not just about doing things; it's about doing the right things. As a leader, I work to create a workplace where everyone feels safe and supported, where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels heard and inspired to be their best. Why? Because I've seen firsthand that the best results come when people are valued and empowered to bring their A-game.

As a dedicated community-focused educational leader, I am seeking a leadership position in an organization focusing on improving educational outcomes for children and young people.

I am committed to being an inspiring and effective leader, that means keeping people at the heart of my decision-making process. I work hard to be clear and kind in my messaging, encouraging an atmosphere of open and honest 'two-way' communication. Constructive feedback is not just accepted but actively sought, and I am responsive to ensure continuous improvement.

I thrive in team environments – that's where the magic happens! I love tapping into the strengths and talents of each team member, recognizing that collective success is achieved through mutual support and shared objectives.

Building and maintaining quality relationships is at the core of everything I do. I consider them key to achieving organizational success. I genuinely believe in the power of collaboration and the value diverse thinking and perspectives - we are all better when we work together.

• Leadership of a highly diverse, geographically dispersed and dynamic team who share a strong culture of achievement and commitment.
• Strong humanistic leadership skills with the ability to support, direct, motivate and inspire staff with respect and compassion.
• Effective leadership during a time of growth and change ensuring policies, procedures and accountabilities are in place to support the operational and strategic directions of the organisation. Leading the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans of the organisation.
• Responsible and accountable financial management, budget preparation and reporting compliance.
• Formulation of monthly reports outlining the Learning for Life Team accountability against the strategic outcomes for the General Manager to communicate with the Executive.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective, supportive professional relationships.
• Child Safety state representative critical incident management, safety and risk management planning.

• 2015, 2021, Professional Learning Team Leader – Early Childhood, Facilitate team meetings and team action learning projects., Lead and actively contribute as part of reflective discussions about classroom practice and improvement strategies., Disseminate information from our school leadership team and communicate on behalf of our team.
• 2021, Internal Coach – Positive Behaviour in Schools, Support strategic data-based action planning., Collect, analyse and use data for decision-making., Promote a team-led process., Promote a continuum of behaviour support for all students., Provide direction in assessing outcomes and fidelity.
• 2018, 2021, Mental Health in Schools (MHiS) Coordinator, Work to provide and promote a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students., Raise staff knowledge and awareness of issues surrounding childhood mental health., Design and implement a plan incorporating in class and whole school strategies to build and support mental health and well being., Collect and analyse data around the impact of the strategies and plan.
• 2018, 2021, Finance Committee Member, Work to ensure compliance and management of financial, physical and human resources., Contribute to and manage parts of the school budget to allocate resources and gain maximum impact on student learning.
• 2018, 2018, Acting Deputy Principal, Provided quality educational leadership in the school and community by helping to develop and promote the school values, ethos and priorities and optimizing classroom learning and facilities., Promoted teaching and learning, fostering development of an inclusive school-based curriculum., Facilitated professional development with individuals, small groups and whole staff., Evaluated and disseminated current school policies and procedures., Assumed responsibility as the Performance Manager for Early Childhood staff., Negotiated the funding, installation and connection of School Managed Internet., Consulted with upper primary staff to develop a Student Mobile Phone policy., Coordinated the administration of the NAPLAN School Readiness Testing., Secured a position for our school in a pilot for the new profile of Connect., Invited to be a part of a Department of Education case study for Connect., Researched and negotiated a trial of Passtab i.e. visitor, first aid and asset management system., Researched and negotiated a trial of Signmee, a digital mailbox for home/school., Communicated where we could collect permission forms and payments in one place which fits perfectly with our school due to our Sustainability focus., Contributed as a member of the Finance Committee., Designed, coordinated and presented the SD Day which included NAPLAN data analysis, School Reflection process and a Central Office Connect presentation.
• 2018, 2021, Melville Early Years Network Chairperson, Established and implemented an Early Years Network with the Youth Development Officer from the City of Melville, Jo McKay to provide a forum for schools and community stakeholders to meet and plan ways to support children 0 - 8 years and their families., Facilitated discussions, planning and professional learning for all stakeholders.

• 2022 - The Early Years – what do we Value, Believe and Understand?
• 2022 - Child Protection – managing and reporting Child Safety Alerts
• 2021 - Importance of Play in Developing Oral Language
• 2020 - Presented during the Term 1 SDD – Positive Behaviour Support Plan, Behaviour Management and Mental Health in Schools Plan including Laughter Yoga demonstration
• 2020 - Presented information sessions based on Key Language Leaders series
• 2019 - Presented for the Riverside ECE Network – Play and Digital Technology
• 2018 - Presented for the Riverside ECE Network - Digital Technology
• 2018 - Presented a series of After School PL Workshops - Digital Technology Term 1 and 2
• 2018 - Established and led the City of Melville Early Years Network group

• 2023 - Child Safe Organisations Forum - Program included practical advice and strategies to learn more about implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• 2023 - Family and Relationships Services Association Conference - delivered by the national peak body for services that support and protect the wellbeing of children, families and communities.
• 2023 - Jarjums Leadership Training - Stronger Smarter Institute to support educators to build their capacity to develop High Expectations Relationships across the Early Years.
• 2022 - Meaningful Engagement with Children and Young People - ChildWise delivered this program to build capacity to improve skills in engaging with children and young people, as well as developing meaningful strategies for planning, facilitating, and evaluating consultation with children and young people.
• 2022 - Children, Play and Crisis - Play provides an important and extremely valuable role in supporting children to process their emotions and feelings about the events, lower their stress levels, have an opportunity to feel in control of something, and relax.
• 2022 - Ignite Leadership - Ignite is designed and created especially for The Smith Family, this leadership development program will support you to embed our Leadership Promise and develop you to further engage, inspire and empower our team members.
• 2021 - NESLI Women in Leadership - The Women’s Future Leaders Program is a leadership and interpersonal awareness program suitable for all teaching staff and especially those aspiring to future leadership roles. The program is designed to help teachers to critically reflect on their own practice and build their leadership capabilities in preparation for future advancement.
• 2021 - Positive Behaviour in Schools Coach Training and Modules 1 & 2 - Completed modules as part of my preparation to take on the Internal Coach role for our school PBS team.
• 2020 - Be You Professional Learning Modules - Completed the modules around the content framework and used that information to create an action plan for our school community and our City of Melville Early Year’s Network to use to implement a whole learning community approach to children’s mental health and wellbeing.
• 2020 - Key Language Leadership Schools Initiative 5-day workshop series - Attending the five days has reaffirmed my knowledge and understanding around the importance of oral language and its inclusion in across all Early Childhood curriculum areas. I have built my speech and language knowledge and enhanced my classroom practice. I have worked in conjunction with the leadership team to develop a 3 year language plan for K to Yr 2 and a series of workshops/sessions to present to all Early Childhood staff.
• 2019 - Laughter Yoga Facilitator training - Attended as part of my role as coordinator for the Mental Health in Schools project. Developed a series of activities and lesson ideas using alternative ways to manage anxiety and stress in students and in staff through laughter and fun linked to learning.
• 2019 - Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training - Attended as part of my role as coordinator for the Mental Health in Schools project.
• 2018, 2019 - Mental Health in Schools Project series (ongoing) - Implemented a whole-school mental health framework for all our students. Auditing school processes and programs by surveying staff and later students. Leading staff in developing a common language and set of understandings around Mental Health throughout the coming years. Established a staff action team to review evidence-based social & emotional learning programs with a view to selecting the most appropriated program for our school context.
• 2017, 2018 - National Quality Standards in Early Childhood Training and Update - Led Early Childhood staff in an ongoing process of reflection and planning. As a team, we spent time discussing and sharing our current classroom practice and beliefs. With a strong sense of trust and respect for each other, we work together to identify and plan high quality teaching and learning opportunities across all our K – Year 2 classes. Established a partnership with the City of Melville to run an Early Years Network. Invited all stakeholders from across our community to attend. Will continue building the Early Years Network and use the AEDC data and the NQS standards to guide our focus.

• International Play Association
• Play Australia
• Edith Cowan Alumni
• Early Childhood Australia
• Think Forward Educators – building literacy for social equity

• SMHS ED Innovation Musculoskeletal Diversion Project Control Group Committee (2022 – current)
• Chair of the City of Melville Early Years Group (2019 – 2021)
• Fiona Stanley Hospital Emergency Department Consumer Advisory Group (2017 – 2023)
• Friend of Melville Junior Football Club