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Thank you to the 1,400 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 questions!
I hope reading
7 Questions with Gregory Whitby
helps you in your leadership.
Cheers,
Jonno White
7 Questions with Gregory Whitby
Name: Gregory Whitby
Current title: Executive Director
Current organisation: Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
Greg Whitby is a teacher, advocate, administrator and leader. His mission to transform schooling for every child and young person is driven by a strong commitment to justice and equity.
As a Catholic Education leader in the Parramatta and Wollongong Dioceses in NSW, Greg has led significant cultural change with a focus on innovation, collaboration and investment in teachers’ learning. Prior to this, he was a teacher and school leader in government and Catholic schools. He has also lectured in the faculty of business at Western Sydney University.
Greg’s service to education has been recognised through the 2018 Australia Day Honours list with the award of the Australian Medal (AM) and the award of a Papal Knighthood in the Order of St Gregory the Great in 2013. He has received a presidential citation from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders and in 2017, he was awarded the Sir Harold Wyndham Medal for his contribution to the education of young people in NSW.
Greg has written extensively about education including as the author of Educating Gen Wi-Fi. His weekly column on education “Top of the Class” is syndicated across 22 NewsLocal papers in NSW. His contribution to the public debate has led to many media appearances including on Sunrise, The Project, The Drum, The Conversation Hour, Mornings with Wendy Harmer and Richard Glover’s Drive. Greg’s advocacy for change and innovation has also led to many international conference addresses, including the invitation to present to the Congregation for Catholic Education’s first World Congress in Vatican City in 2015.
Greg will continue to challenge accepted thinking about learning and teaching for the change education can bring for all of us.
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1. What have you found most challenging as a Christian school leader?
To live out your values
2. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?
With enough time that I can have some personal reflection
3. What's the most recent significant leadership lesson you've learned?
All people are good and everyone has a responsibility to lead
4. What's one book apart from the Bible that has had a profound impact on your leadership so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted your leadership?
Genisis - the creation story (God made everything and it was good)
5. How do you find and keep great Christian teachers?
They are there, leaders need to work with them, encourage them and form them.
6. What's most important as a Christian school leader for developing a culture of wellbeing in your staff and students?
What you say is what you do. It's not about leadership it's about doing leading.
7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as a Christian school leader so far?
Our schools serve a diverse cultural mix in Western Sydney. They are outstanding at respecting the culture and being inclusive of each and every individual in their school community.