Adrian’s passion for education shines when he’s in the classroom. He enjoys expanding young people’s viewpoint beyond their local knowledge, to the wider world around them.

His study journey began in 2005, completing a combined Bachelor of Arts/Education degree majoring in Geography and History. He then went on to teach at a variety of public and independent schools around greater Sydney. Progressing quickly, he took on several smaller leadership roles before moving into his current role as Head of Geography at Trinity Grammar School.

Through a partnership between his school and the University of Newcastle, he heard about the Master of Leadership and Management Program. He was excited about the prospect of furthering his career skills and the potential to connect strategic planning projects at Trinity Grammar School with his studies.

“I was impressed by how relevant the program was to my everyday working environment,” Adrian said.

He commenced the Master in 2021 and was impressed by the passion of his teachers and their interest to modernise the way educational leaders develop their learning and workplace skills.

It didn’t take long before Adrian was putting his learning into practice. His very first unit was based on ‘Building Better Learning Environments’, aligning perfectly with a new teaching precinct that was currently being built at Trinity Grammar.

“I have already used my learning and made an impact with one of the school’s academic plans to pilot a new, innovative classroom design,” Adrian beamed.

The online course materials have enabled Adrian to fit his study around his busy work and home life.

“It works very well for me because I can select times to do the readings and listen to podcasts that fit into my life,” Adrian said.

“I read a reading in the back of an Uber the other day, I must admit that was a first for me!” he said.

He also has a group of colleagues that he meets up with regularly to share thoughts and discuss how they are each applying their learnings to their workplace.

Teaching is a busy lifestyle, but Adrian offers some apt advice to teachers on a similar path to himself.

“Postgraduate study lets you reencounter the excitement of learning. If you are passionate and apply good planning and time management, you will achieve your goals,” he says.

Study Transformational Leadership in Education at the University of Newcastle

Study Leadership and Management in Education at the University of Newcastle

Photo of Adrian Shipp `

Adrian Shipp

Adrian’s passion for education shines when he’s in the classroom. He enjoys expanding young people’s viewpoint beyond their local knowledge, to the wider world around them. Through a partnership between his school and the University of Newcastle, he heard about the Master of Leadership and Managemen

I have already used my learning and made an impact with one of the school’s academic plans to pilot a new, innovative classroom design.