SPERA Patron
Emeritus Professor John Halsey
In 2022 at SPERA’s inaugural National Conference for Regional, Rural and Remote education, Emeritus Professor John Halsey was named Patron of SPERA.
John is an Emeritus Professor at Flinders University. His doctoral research focused on how principals of rural schools in Australia construct their roles.
Prior to joining Flinders University, John was a teacher, a principal of two schools in South Australia- Ceduna Area School and The Heights School (both reception to year 12, one rural, one metropolitan)- Associate Director of the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia, an Executive Director in the South Australian Department of Education and Children’s Services and a Chief of Staff to a state minister for Education and Children’s Services. He has also worked in educational facilities, was a project officer with the Australian Schools Commission Choice and Diversity in Education initiative and has been a Fulbright Scholar. John has also worked as the Executive Officer of the Rural Education Forum Australia.
John has extensive experience in leadership and school operations, curriculum design and assessment, community consultation, policy development, decision making, human resources management and the preparation of submissions for funding and formal enquiries. John has represented Australia at the South Pacific Education Forum.
John’s work and commitment to rural education and communities is framed and grounded by the challenge of vibrant, productive rural communities being integral to Australia’s (and the world’s) sustainability. Population growth and an increasing preference for urban living linked with the fundamentals of food security, water supply, energy sufficiency, environmental health and territorial security underpin this position. However, for rural communities to survive, prosper and be the innovative places and spaces Australia requires, it is essential that children, families, and communities can readily access high quality education and care. Rural educational leader and teacher formation is therefore critical as well as ensuring rural communities are valued and supported by governments and policy makers.
Recent Contributions/Engagements
2023
- Invited panelist, Australian Catholic University (Brisbane)- Challenges [and Opportunities] in Advancing Rural, Regional and Remote Education
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5_B-yvGPx8
2022
- Invited to contribute to the Australian Government Productivity Commission review of the National School Reform Agenda
2020/21
- Rural Educational Leadership Program, New South Wales School Leadership Institute
2019
- Invited member of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders Research Advisory Group
- Invited to present evidence to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee Inquiry into Regional Inequality
- Invited to contribute to the Regional, Rural and Remote Education Taskforce Higher Education Group, Australian Government Department of Education and Training
- Invited to present evidence to the Education Council review of senior secondary pathways to examine how students can be supported to choose the best pathway into work, further education or training
2018- Monash Commission Rethinking post-compulsory education in Australia provocation paper and Futures seminar participation- see https://commission.monash.edu/2019/05/03/1374780/report-of-the-2018-monash-commission
2017/18- Independent Reviewer, Regional, Rural and Remote Education in Australia for the Australian Government see:
Direct outcomes of the IRRRRE include:
- $96.1m over 4 years to support young people from regional, rural and remote communities to transition to further education, training and employment (2018 Budget Paper 2),
- the Regional, Rural and Remote Education Taskforce Higher Education Group, Australian Government Department of Education and Training (Napthine Review)
- annual reporting to the Education Council by states and territories on RRR education progress and achievements
Awards and Associations
- Fellow Australian College of Educators
- Fellow Australian Council for Educational Leaders (SA)
- Fulbright Scholar, 1984, Gifted Education
- Life Member, Victims Support Service, South Australia
- Center for RelationaLearning, Santa Fe, New Mexico