AAFIE in Conversation

AAFIE in Conversation is our very own podcast show featuring flexi folk yarning, sharing practice wisdoms, showcasing research insights and reflections & more! Listen below!

Episode 1 – Research + Practice = MAGIC! Ft. Professor Kitty te Riele & Mr. Dale Murray

The first comprehensive research on ‘flexis’ across Australia. The foremost national flexi provider in the country. Put these two together and you get MAGIC! In this episode of AAFIE in Conversation Prof. Kitty te Riele & Dale Murray yarn about how it all started, the Doing School Differently Conference & AAFIE. What they’ve learnt since then, and where they see it all going…

Episode 2 – Language: Connection to Culture, Identity & Country : Reclaiming the Truth to healing ft. Dr John Davis

In this episode, Dale Murray is joined by Dr John Davis the CEO of the Stronger Smarter Institute. Dale & John yarn about Language, and it’s connection to Culture, Identity and Country. John explores how First Nations communities can use language to reclaim the truth to healing. We also learn how we can all apply the true names of this place to support decolonoisation and work together towards removing the invasion footprint on this land.

Episode 3 – Mentoring Matters ft. Taryn Marks

In this episode, AAFIE’s Professor Julian Sefton-Green spends sometime with Taryn Marks General Manager of AIME, a Wotjobaluk woman from Western Victoria to yarn about why Mentoring Matters.We can’t wait to share this episode with you and extend our thanks for Taryn for making time for AAFIE in Conversation.

Episode 4 – Supporting re-entry for in-person learning: Rhythms, Routines and strategies to support our young people Ft. Dr Tom Brunzell.

In this Episode, AAFIE’s Dale Murray chats with Dr Tom Brunzell, Director of Education at Berry Street and Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne. In this episode, Dale and Tom cover some of the impacts of COVID-19 on young people with complex unmet needs for learning and the sudden in schooling when the pandemic set in in early 2020. Tom shines light on the fact that the unexpected change away from in-person learning made our already vulnerable learners immediately more vulnerable. While this conversation focusses on some of the challenges of this vulnerability, is also aims to share a message of resilience, strength and adaptability of these young people in such uncertain times.

Episode 5 – A Special Interest Group for AAFIE & What’s on at DSD2022

In this Episode, AAFIE’s Dale Murray is joined by Dr. Andrew Bills, Flinders University, and Nigel Howard, UniSA Futures to discuss the development of AAFIE first Special Interest Group focusing on how we might reimagine and reengineer curriculum that builds on an ethic of care and seeks to make accredited outcomes more accessible for young people in alternative and inclusive education. Dale also chats with Andrew and Nigel about their presentation at the upcoming Doing School Differently Conference in Adelaide this June. Nigel and Andrew will be presenting a Workshop entitled: Doing Professional Learning Differently: Implications for preservice education.

Episode 6 – The School for Nomads ft. Mr. Richard O’Neill

In this episode, AAFIE’s Dale Murray is joined by Mr. Richard O’Neill from Manchester UK. Richard describes himself as a master storyteller brought up in the nomadic storytelling tradition. Richard has made and continues to make a huge contribution to the art of storytelling across the world. Richard’s book ‘The School for Nomads’ recognises the importance for young Gypsy and Traveller people to have access to books that positively reflect their lives and experiences.

Episode 7 – Trauma Informed Practice & Pedagogy ft Professor Karen Martin

In this episode AAFIE’s Professor Kitty te Riele is joined by Professor Karen Martin from the University of Tasmania.
Professor Martin is a Professor in Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in the School of Education. Professor Martin’s research explores trauma-informed practice and how its application can transform the education experience for school students.
In addition to promoting awareness of the impact of trauma, her areas of expertise include child and adolescent mental health, psychological and post-traumatic distress, and family and domestic violence.

Kitty and Karen yarn about trauma, and the work that Karen is doing in Tasmania as part of the Trauma Informed Research Lab at UTAS.

Episode 8 – Voice to Parliament- ft the Young People from Canberra College, joined by Dr. John Davis, Brydie Zorz, Scott Gorringe and words of wisdom and support from Ngunnawal elder Aunty Violet Sheridan.

In this podcast an amazing group of young people from Canberra College host an amazing conversation about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. This balanced conversation about the YES vote aims to provide as much information for our young people who are of voting age to make an informed decision about their vote. The power of the youth voice important in this referendum and this conversation is a must listen for all young people and all voters!

Episode 9 – Student Ownership of Learning

In this episode AAFIE’s Dale Murray and Professor Kitty te Riele are joined by Henk van Woudenberg from The Netherlands. Henk is the part of the Student Ownership of Learning (SOL) Foundation, whose research relates to the outcomes of ‘game-based research’ with the experiences of ‘ownership of learning’ of students. Henk spends some time talking about ‘The Game’, a board-game that encourages players to articulate the culture of their school and their idea about what is the most desired culture for the future of their school.

The game is played with all participants of the school community. The game generates data that can be used to define the direction of the school development. With the board game dubbed ‘We own the school’ you discuss ownership of learning with students, teachers and school leaders. The aim of this game is to start a conversation about ‘ownership of learning’ and how the school can promote that.

Student ownership of learning SOL – Welcome

Episode 10 – DSD2024 – Dr. Tom Brunzell

In this episode AAFIE’s Dale Murray is joined by Dr. Tom Brunzell, Director of Education at Berry Street. Dale and Tom chat about Tom’s work at Berry Street, Melbourne University, his new book (co-authored with Professor Helen Stokes) and why he is committed to Doing School Differently. Tom also gives us a little sneak peek into what to expect from his Keynote Presentation this year.

Dr. Tom Brunzell and Professor Helen Stokes: Implementing trauma informed pedagogies for school change shifting schools from reactive to proactive.

Episode 11 – DSD2024 – Carolyn Blanden

In this episode, AAFIE’s Professor Kitty te Riele is joined by Carolyn Blanden, Principal of Warakirri College in Western Sydney. Kitty and Carolyn chat about her move from mainstream schooling into flexible learning and what she values about the flexible and inclusive education sector. Carolyne also offers us a little insight into her DSD2024 Keynote Presentation: Breaking the Cycle – rising to the challenges of raising students’ aspirations.

Episode 12 – DSD2024 – Associate Professor Marnee Shay

In this episode, AAFIE’s Dale Murray yarns with Associate Professor Marnee Shay from the University of Queensland. Marnee is currently a Principal Research Fellow at the University. She has an extensive externally funded research program and has many publications in the fields of Indigenous education, flexi schooling and Indigenous education policy. During this yarn, Dale and Marnee have the chance to discuss Marnee’s passion for the work: elevating voice, advocating and bringing about change for community. Marnee’s Keynote presentation at DSD2024 is one not to be missed, with an emphasis on young people voice in co-design.