Ed Talks WA

Episode 10: Reflecting on 6 years as DG of Education with Lisa Rodgers

After 6 years leading education in WA, Lisa Rodgers is moving on to the next stage of her career. Listen as she looks back at some of the challenges and triumphs of her time as the director general.

Episode 9: Support for families starting their secondary schooling journey

School psychologist consultants, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett, provide tips to families with students who are moving into secondary school, including managing nerves during the big change and how to access support.

Episode 8: Hockeyroo Amy Lawton days before flying to the Paris Olympics

Amy Lawton dropped in on her way to the airport en route to the Paris Olympic Games. At 22, she’s competing in her second games. Bailey, 11, a star from School Sports WA and an Education Minister’s Running Challenge ambassador, helped with a few tough questions.

Episode 7: Chatting to the ’23 Education Award winners

With nominations open for the 2024 WA Education Awards, we talk to the most recent recipients of these honours. They explain why they nominated and what winning means to them, their staff, students and the whole school community. We also take a closer look at a new category for 2024, Excellence in wellbeing and learning.
 

Episode 6: Jelena Dokic finds her voice

In Jelena Dokic's own words, "the least interesting thing about me is tennis". The former tennis prodigy was forced to deal with more as a young person than any one person should endure during a lifetime. And now she has found her voice through words.

Episode 5: Life-changing insights from autism researcher, Prof. Whitehouse

Lead autism researcher, Professor Andrew Whitehouse, explains 'Inklings', a life-changing program for babies aged 6-18 months who are showing early differences in social interaction and communication development. He explains that if we change the way we connect with babies, we can change their whole lives.

Episode 4: A 'top 10' with retiring Department executive, Kevin O'Keefe

Kevin O'Keefe, Principal Advisor of Student Achievement, is preparing for his third and final attempt at retirement. He has spent 53 years in public education, as a teacher, principal, executive director and, more recently, as a member of the Department's corporate executive, advising on ways to improve education outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Episode 3: Helping young people battle mental health issues

Derry Simpson, CEO of Youth Focus, explains how they support WA's young people, with more than 40% of those aged 12 to 25 being diagnosed with mental health illnesses - but only half those receiving help. Find out too how you can help by supporting the annual Ride for Youth.

Episode 2: Support for families starting their schooling journey

School psychologist consultants, Sarah Papaelias and Brendan Everett, provide tips to families with younger students who are starting school for the first time, including managing nerves and accessing support.

Episode 1: Embrace Kids

It's a shocking truth that 70 percent of school children say their body image is their top concern, with kids experiencing rates of suicide, depression and anxiety far greater than ever before. Enter Dr Zali Yager, a former teacher and international body image expert who reveals her own body battle and the new resources she's created so that WA teachers can help students embrace their bodies.