Susan Allenspach

Experienced and values-driven educational leader with over 25 years in Australian and international contexts, specialising in IB PYP implementation, early years pedagogy, and school improvement. I have led schools through IB authorisation, curriculum transformation, and crisis response, while building inclusive, inquiry-rich environments that prioritise student wellbeing and academic growth. With a relational leadership style, I mentor staff, develop middle leadership, and foster collaborative cultures of professional learning. My expertise in play-based and inquiry learning, combined with a strategic approach to curriculum and literacy development, has positively impacted learners from Prep to Year 6 across a range of cultural and educational settings.

• Specialist in:
• International and Inclusive Education
• Strategic Change Management
• Positive Culture Creation
• Focused on Post-Covid wellbeing priorities for all students

• Student Wellbeing: Developing and maintaining creative learning spaces to enhance student life
• Overseeing the implementation of all government standards and regulations
• Implementing COVID academic guidelines and safety protocols for blended learning environments
• Leading Professional development and training of IB standards and Practices
• Providing coaching and mentoring for middle management to enhance leadership skills across the primary school
• Teaching and Assessment: Curriculum design and adaptation
• Improving use of data and analysis for student learning
• Leading and managing Pre K to grade 5 PYP school of 600 students
• Student Progress: development of highly effective literacy programs
• Focussed on continuous literacy improvement in both attainment and progress for all students
• Staff development through ongoing collaborative professional learning communities

• Leading and managing a fully accredited 3 programme continuum IB World School Preschool - Grade 12
• Creating a professional learning community that is focused on continuous improvement of teaching and learning
• Leading transition to online learning for whole school
• Leading professional development and implementation of PYP Enhancements
• Organising, managing and implementing safety procedures for crisis management, for the school and with the local community
• Identifying and promoting expertise among middle leadership
• Developing staff potential and building capacity through shared vision and values

• Leading teaching team of primary school classroom and specialist teachers
• Focus on improving standards and personalised learning
• Outdoor education programme for KG to grade 5
• Transdisciplinary approach to integrating specialist subjects across the school
• Maker-space and design programme from preschool to grade 12
• Acting Head of School each year (as required)
• Led innovative appraisal system development across the school to improve accountability

• Implemented Dimensions of Learning and Kagan Learning Strategies
• Member of ACARA curriculum review committees: Mathematics, History Assessment
• Coordinator for co-curricular activities

• Developed school - based mentor program
• Designed and implemented Primary Years Program for the Junior School
• Facilitated weekly Year Level curriculum planning meetings
• Led and supervised year level coordinators

• Year 4 Teacher Lowood State School, Queensland, Australia
• Year 1 and 2 Teacher Warrigal Road State Primary School, Queensland, Australia
• Year 2 Teacher Beaudesert State Primary School, Queensland, Australia