Hosted by Adam Voigt, Real Schools of Thought is a bold, reflective podcast for principals, aspiring school leaders, and educators who are ready to rethink the way schools work.
Through raw, story-rich conversations with real changemakers in education, we go beyond policies and programs to explore the personal mindset shifts, leadership moments, and cultural decisions that truly shape our schools.
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being real.
Leading 1,400 students across two campuses could easily become an exercise in control. Instead, Wanneroo Secondary College Principal Justine McNaught-Conroy has built a culture where clear structures, high expectations and genuine trust give people the confidence to do their best work. In this conversation with Adam, Justine shares what intentional visibility really looks like, why authentic relationships need to survive the hard conversations, and how building a place where people feel supported has transformed staff retention.
21 Sept 2026
The Guy Who Cared | A conversation with Adam Voigt and Dean Finlay
For almost two decades at Ocean Road Primary School, Dean Finlay has built his leadership around one deceptively simple idea: people need to know you care. In this conversation with Adam, Dean shares how small, consistent acts have built trust with students, staff and families – and how restorative practice has helped turn those relationships into a culture that is shared and lived across the school. It’s a conversation about leadership, legacy and why, after a career spent learning what makes good schools work, Dean keeps coming back to where he started: relationships.
15 Sept 2026
What Special Schools Can Teach Every School
Peter Bush, Principal of Kalianna School, joins Adam to challenge some long-held assumptions about special education and what young people with disabilities can achieve. From high expectations and authentic learning to the power of language, predictable routines and repairing relationships, Peter shares lessons that reach well beyond the special school setting. It’s a conversation about looking past what kids can’t do – and creating schools that help every young person see what they can.
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