The Educational Currency Podcast

Meet the Principal | Season 2 Episode 2
Meet the Principal with Simon Ghantous, Principal of Marist College Kogarah
In this episode, hosts Rob and Chris sit down with Simon Ghantous, the Principal at Marist College Kogarah, to explore his experience of school leadership. Simon shares his journey moving from being a classroom teacher to his current role, insights, and philosophy on building a supportive and inclusive school environment.
Simon Ghantous joined Marist College Kogarah as College Principal in 2021. Prior to this he was the Assistant Principal at De La Salle Revesby and held leadership positions in the Sydney Catholic Schools Office, Patrician Brothers College Fairfield and St Dominic’s College Kingswood.
We discuss Simon's commitment to mentoring and fostering collaboration, and how this has created a positive and empowering atmosphere for both staff and students at Marist College. He also explains belief in the importance of providing opportunities for all students to learn, contribute, and feel valued.
Join us as we explore the strategies and practices that have made Simon's school a thriving community.
Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education.
Topics covered
Simon’s career and journey to become a Principal
What inspired his teaching career
Building opportunities for students to contribute to a sense of school community, including academic, sporting, leadership and other activities
Creating a flexible and supportive workplace for teachers
Impact of wellbeing issues for students
Value of formal and informal mentoring for all teachers, but especially new teachers
Links and further resources
https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/its-more-than-just-a-job/
https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2024/05/Catholic-School-Leaders-2024.pdf (pages 32-33)

Why a good night’s sleep is the key to supporting students
In this episode, we take a deep dive with Rob and Chris about the impact a lack of sleep can have on the developing brain of a high school student. Inspired by Matthew Walker’s ‘Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams’, Rob explains the detrimental role of screens and blue light, the intersection of alcohol and sleep deprivation, and how a lack of sleep compounds to blunt your ability to study. Tune in to learn strategies to improve sleep habits and help teenagers thrive.
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.
Topics covered
Teenagers should have about 9 hours of sleep a night, adults need 7 hours of sleep, and the quality of the sleep matters too
How to create a comfortable sleep environment that is dark, quiet and cool
Engage in regular physical activity but avoid intense exercise close to going to sleep
How to develop a consistent sleep schedule to help regulate your body clock
Establish a relaxing sleep routine, such as reading or a warm bath, to signal your body that it is time to wind down
Limit screen time before bed, as blue light can interfere with your sleep cycle
Limit naps to 20-30 minutes, and not too late in the afternoon, to avoid delaying your natural sleep cycle
The impact a disrupted sleep pattern can have on school attendance and performance
Links and sources
Why We Sleep: The New Science of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
Waking up to Australia’s Sleep Crisis, The Australian, 24 Feb 2024
4 in 10 Australians battling sleep issues as nation’s sleep crisis grows, SBS Australia (media release), 7 February 2024
What happens to a person's biological clock in isolation? – More information about the bunker experiment, in which subjects were confined for weeks with no exposure to natural light and soon established their own circadian rhythms
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/alcohol-and-sleep
https://sequencewiz.org/2018/04/25/how_caffeine_affects_the_body/

Museums – A different education career
What do bog bodies, VR and ancient history have in common for an education career?
Joining Chris and Rob this episode is the third part of the Educational Currency Team: our producer, Kate. Aside from recording and editing the podcast, Kate works in museums and as a high school English tutor at The Coaching College.
In this episode she shares her passion for all things archaeology, the story of how she came to be a curator and explores the role of museum in education outside of the formal school environment.
Thanks for listening to the premier season of the podcast – we’ll be dropping season 2 very soon!
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Kate Pentecost has worked in museums for over 12 years across collection management, digital outreach and collections, and curatorial. She is also an English tutor at the Coaching College and the producer of The Educational Currency Podcast.  
Topics covered
Choosing to study archaeology and museums
What sparked the interest in archaeology and the ancient world?
How museums design programs and exhibitions to inspire students and entertain families
Discovering how to produce a podcast
Kate’s recommendations for awesome museums:Victoria and Albert Museum (London)
Australian Centre for the Moving Image (Melbourne)
Australian War Memorial (Canberra)
Imperial War Museum (London)
Smithsonian (Washington)
Vindolanda (United Kingdom)
VR in museums: an exciting dream for its use in the exhibition space, photogrammetry and 3D models
Links and sources
Bog bodies: https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/archaeology/peat-bogs-are-freakishly-good-at-preserving-human-remains.htm and https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/europe-bog-bodies-reveal-secrets-180962770/
Why Your Museum Needs a Podcast by Hannah Hethmon, https://www.betterlemonaudio.com/resources
Find out more about what a conservator does: https://aiccm.org.au/ and https://www.youtube.com/c/TheConservationStarter
Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK: https://www.vam.ac.uk/
Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Melbourne, Australia: https://www.acmi.net.au/?
Australian War Memorial, Canberra, Australia: https://www.awm.gov.au/
Imperial War Museum, London, UK: https://www.iwm.org.uk/
Smithsonian, Washington, USA: https://www.si.edu/
The State Hermitage Museum, Russia: https://hermitagemuseum.org/wps/portal/hermitage/
Vindolanda, Roman fort just outside of York, UK: https://www.vindolanda.com/
Image credits
Tollund Man by Jeroen Van Nieuwenhove, via FLickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeroenvn/20257396181/
Sea monster: Saint Brendan saying mass on the back of a whale - Australian National Maritime Museum Collection, https://collections.sea.museum/objects/29824/engraving-depicting-saint-brendan-saying-mass-on-the-back-of 

A Teacher's Guide to Vaping Prevention, and Why Students Vape
Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Kim - a trained PD/H/PE teacher whose career has moved into health policy and programs targeting issues impacting teenagers. Currently, Kim is working on programs to address vaping and focusing on behaviour change through peer-led discussions. She outlines the emerging impacts of vaping (it's not great) and strategies for teachers and parents to help teenagers quit (step one: listen, don't lecture).  
Topics covered
The rise of vaping from 2020 onwards 
The lack of regulation for vaping products, and how the marketing of these products targets teens
How and why the peer-led education model has better outcomes for students
The links between health prevention, schools, parents, students and teachers
Why do students vape? Mostly due to stress, mental health and risk-taking
Dangers of vaping
How much nicotine is in a vape?
How many puffs are you taking?
What are the dangers of nicotine to a developing brain?
Passive vaping has risks to others
What can parents do?
Ask your child, don't accuse them
Be pre-emptive with the conversation at an age-appropriate level
There are guides available from NSW Health, QLD Health and Victoria Health with excellent tools and tips for parents and teens
Resources
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping-resources.aspx
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/vaping.aspx
https://www.health.gov.au/vaping/resources
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/vaping
https://www.quit.org.au/
https://swsphn.com.au/news/nsw-health-develop-vaping-resources-for-parents-and-carers-of-young-people/
Vape Check/Dovetail – from QLD Health: https://insight.qld.edu.au/shop/vape-check#:~:text=Vape%20Check%20is%20a%20guided,Check%20before%20using%20the%20tool.
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.
 

Expert Strategies for Connecting and Engaging with Students: A Teacher's Perspective
Joining Rob and Chris in this episode is Stoyan Kosteski — a science teacher with a knack for exceptional classroom management. Stoyan shares key moments from his teaching career, his best hacks for setting expectations in the classroom and reflects on why teaching is a rewarding career. Along the way Stoyan, Rob and Chris discuss facing the moment you got it wrong and why failing forward is how you grow as a teacher.
Topics covered
Stoyan’s Three Unbreakable Rules for Effective Classroom Management™Always show respect for others and listen when they are talking (this goes for both students and teachers)
No student is allowed behind the Teacher's desk
No one is allowed to move around the classroom without permission
Always follow through with your expectations and outcomes with students
Have a conversation with the student if they are acting up – find out why they are acting out
Students need to feel respected, as well as being seen as people
The manner and volume in which you speak to the student drives the conversation
Model the behaviour you expect from the students
State the facts. Stay on the facts. Repeat the facts.
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

How should teachers and students navigate the rapidly emerging technology of Artificial Intelligence?
It's the next industrial revolution: computer programs that learn and improve the more you with it. Instead of searching for a particular webpage, you will prompt an AI to compile the research for you, and in concisely written chunks, or even tell it to simply automatically summarise the information into a stylish graphic.
This technology is programmed to mimic human abilities like learning from data, recognizing patterns, and even making decisions. You see AI in things like chatbots answering your questions online, or photo apps that recommend edits. AI is still under development, but ChatGPT and similar AI programs are swiftly coming to your phone, laptop and digital life.
Join Chris and Rob as they discuss how this technology could impact students, teaching methods and considerations for skilling the future workforce.
Topics covered
What is AI
How a student could use AI at school – it’s not all about plagiarism
Advantages, disadvantages and limitations of AI in an Education setting
Data privacy
The intersections of AI, Robotics and Virtual Reality
Building AI skills for the workforce
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

Exploring the pros and cons of sending your child to a mixed or single-sex school
There is a change in the air: more parents are choosing to send their children to mixed or co-educational schools, traditional single-sex independent schools are becoming co-ed and, in a few years, most public schools in NSW will also be co-ed.
This week Rob and Chris discuss the arguments for and against these changes, while reflecting on their experiences as parents and teachers in single-sex schools.
Topics covered
What factors should parents consider when choosing the right school for their child
Advantages and disadvantages of mixed or co-educational environments
Advantages and disadvantages of all-girls or all-boys environments
Do girls and boys have different learning styles?
Socialising and bullying at single-sex schools
Addressing misogyny within all-boys schools
Privilege, equity and social mobility
The 7am podcast episode referenced by Chris, which inspired that episode: https://7ampodcast.com.au/episodes/why-the-newington-old-boys-are-crying   
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

New to teaching? Having your first prac? Rob and Chris share their strategies, personal experiences and tips on navigating the beginning of your teaching career. 
Topics covered
Starting teaching at any age: straight from high school to university to being on staff, contrasted with coming into teaching as a mature age student
Ways to practice teaching and leading groups before you have to teach a class
Getting your classroom management down
Building your professional support network: mentors, your faculty staff and the wider staffroom are a wealth of knowledge
Asking for advice and feedback, and acting on it
Building a rapport with staff and students
Appearing professional, and the role of presentation and body language
Challenges facing new teachers on their practicums and first teaching roles
Discipline, restorative justice in action and reframing how to deal with problems in classroom management
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.

What healthy habits can you develop to help support your life and study plans?
Chris asks Rob about his top tips for forming healthy habits that support your mind, mood, study plans and school-life balance.
Topics covered
Healthy body, healthy mind.
Nutrition: see an accredited dietitian, reduce your sugar intake, and you want to avoid spikes in your blood sugar. Have a high-protein breakfast.
Aim for 7 to 8 hours a night of sleep. Get natural sunlight in your eyes early in the morning (this helps your body maintain a sustainable sleep cycle).
Keep hydrated, and don’t forget your salt (Rob suggests hydralyte to help with your sodium levels).
Move your body: walk with purpose, start with 15-minute goals, exercise increases your feel-good hormones and improves your mood.
Support your mental health and aim for a balanced lifestyle.
Stay connected socially: have a solid and wide support network (family, friends, school, sport and/or community connections).
Parents are the ultimate mentors for a healthy lifestyle.
Robert Naumoski and Christopher Kalodikis have over 20 years of teaching experience. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education.

How to help your students and children prepare for exams and effective study techniques
Rob and Chris share their professional and parental experiences to foster productive study habits. Habits are incremental and built through repetition.
Topics covered
Are you actually studying?
Setting good study habits
Homework is continuing and finishing their classwork
Study is summary and reflection
Preparing productive study plans
Time management
Distractions: phones, computers, notifications and chat functions
Monitor and guide study habits for your child
Supporting different ages and stages
Subject selection and developing your academic habits
Stress management in senior students: support networks, what are your stressors and concerns?
Your study timetable should be balanced, with family time, socialising, sporting/exercise commitments and/or work shifts. Relaxation should be included. Review each term. Tick it off and aim to build it up. You don’t have to nail it perfectly. The schedule should not add to your stress! It is there to support and guide you.
Ask your mentors and support network for feedback
Rob’s HSC-specific tips:
What is in an exam?
Collect your marks slowly and accurately
The night before an exam you focus on your weaker areas only
Chris’ exams tips:
Past papers
Consistent study schedule, balanced with well-being and life commitments
Who are your support networks? Who can you go to for help and/or feedback?
Christopher Kalodikis and Robert Naumoski have over 20 years of teaching experience. Chris teaches Computing and is the founder of Maximum Education. Rob teaches Mathematics and is the founder of The Coaching College and owner of Ultimate Defence Academy.