This course has been intentionally designed and developed for middle leaders in Christian schools. Middle leaders are primarily responsible for coordinating and leading teams across various functional areas within the school through key roles that may include year level leaders, subject leaders, curriculum leaders and pedagogy coaches.
PLEASE NOTE: The Victorian cohort is now at capacity so we cannot accept any further registrations for Victoria.
Through participation in the Step Up Training Course for Middle Leaders participants will:
- Strengthen their understanding of self and the importance of their ongoing development
- Engage in evidence-based, work-integrated professional learning
- Understand how to develop, lead and inspire exceptional teamwork and drive positive change
- Become skilled in building relationships and communicating effectively
- Develop capacity in operational aspects of their roles that include: having difficult conversations, managing team dynamics, conflict resolution, understanding legal and regulatory frameworks, organising professional learning, leading aspects of school improvement and cultivating purposeful and innovative change processes with teams..
For a more comprehensive outline of the course, download the Step Up Course Guide.
To register, please click the 'Register Now' button and provide your name and school in the email to Dr. Maria Varlet.
Christian Heritage College (CHC), Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) and Tabor College are pleased to recognise the completion of Step Up as credit for post graduate study.
Course Outline
The course content will be informed by the four key domains of the CSA Leadership Framework: Called, Connected, Committed which, in turn, is underpinned by both biblical principles and the AITSL Professional Standards for Principals and AITSL Professional Standards for Middle Leaders.
The course will extend over a 9-month period and will incorporate a range of stimulating, engaging and collaborative activities, strategies and events designed to enhance and inspire the leadership journey of the course participants.
This is a 9-month course which runs from February to October 2026. If you have any queries, please contact Dr Maria Varlet.
Event Information
Modes of learning will include in-person intensives, self-assessment, peer review feedback, coaching and incorporate a capstone personal leadership project.
In-person Intensive 1: The first intensive day will provide the key foundations for the course and topics covered will include:
» Calling, Vocation and Leadership:
» Leading & Managing Self:
» Leading from the Middle:
» Personal Leadership Project
In-person Intensive 2: The second intensive day will cover:
» Cultivating feedback cultures
» Effective communication
» Managing difficult conversations and situations
In-person Intensive 3: The third intensive day will complete the course and topics covered will include:
» Embodying story and sustaining impact
» Leading improvement and change
» Presentation of course learnings and reflections including Personal Leadership Project
In Person Intensive Dates:
We plan to have cohorts in each State, however this will depend upon registration numbers.
Intensive 1:
Monday 16 February » Queensland
Wednesday 18 February » NSW
Friday 20 February » Victoria
Monday 16 March » South Australia
Wednesday 18 March » West Australia
Intensive 2:
Monday 27 July » Queensland
Wednesday 29 July » Victoria
Friday 31 July » NSW
Monday 3 August » South Australia
Wednesday 5 August » West Australia
Intensive 3:
Monday 19 October » Queensland
Wednesday 21 October » NSW
Friday 23 October » Victoria
Monday 26 October » South Australia
Thursday 29 October » West Australia
NB. Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs, as required.
On registration, you will receive a confirmation email - this is subject to the number of registrations being sufficient to run a cohort in your state. Your school will be invoiced when this is confirmed. As noted above, the Victorian cohort is now at capacity.
Throughout the duration of the course, participants will also:
- Complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment (pre-course) - NB Participants are responsible for the cost of this assessment (approximately USD25)
- Undertake the CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool including a debrief session with an experienced leader.
- Complete a Personal Leadership Project in his/her own school, using an action research methodology. Participants will produce a project report and give a brief verbal presentation to course peers.
- Engage in professional conversations with an executive leader. One of these conversations will be a debrief of the CSA 360 Leadership Development Tool Report.
- Undertake a structured school visit and complete a Personal Reflection Report (a minimum of one throughout the year). Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs for the school visits, as required.
Course Facilitators
The course will be coordinated by Dr Maria Varlet.
Dr Maria Varlet: Director of Member Services
Dr Maria Varlet has been involved in Christian Education for over 30 years, holding a variety of leadership positions including Head of Research & Innovation and Campus Principal. She has served on a number of school, church and not for profit Boards, including... read more
The course will be facilitated by the CSA State Executive Officers.
Lynne Nixon: CSA Executive Officer, WA (2026)
Lynne Nixon commences as the Executive Officer in WA in 2026. She has worked as a consultant with AISWA in Perth for close to 9 years, specialising in child protection, inclusive education, and school registration... read more
David Yates: CSA Executive Officer, QLD
Commencing as the Executive Officer in QLD in 2026, David has a diverse range of experiences and skills. David has served as a strategist for the Department of Defence; Chief of Staff for Australian Christian Lobby; MD of Compass... read more
Mark Ash: CSA Executive Officer, NSW/ACT
Mark joins the CSA team in 2026 from Charlton Christian College having held Principal roles in NSW and Qld. He has had year-long teacher exchanges in public and independent schools in the UK and Ontario and his experience includes roles... read more
Mark Ryan: CSA Executive Officer, SA
Mark Ryan has been part of the Christian Schools Australia team since 2019, serving as Executive Officer for South Australia. With a background spanning both education and theology, Mark is passionate about exploring the intersection of faith... read more
Jennifer Trodden: CSA Executive Officer, VIC/TAS
Jennifer serves as the Executive Officer for Victoria and Tasmania and is a respected and accomplished leader within the Victorian education sector. She has served in Christian, Independent, and Catholic schools, including Christway College in... read more
Qualify for CPD Hours
At the conclusion of this event, a certificate of professional learning will be made available to attendees for self-accreditation via your member dashboard for 50 + face to face hours plus additional hours of personal project time, school visits and professional conversations with a school leader. The following CSA Leadership Framework standards and AITSL Professional Standards for Middle Leaders will be addressed:
CSA Leadership Framework - Phase 2 Leaders
» Leaders of Faith: Cultivating Character and Nurturing Growth
» Leaders of Practice: Driving Improvement, Deepening Wisdom and Leading Learning
» Leaders of Culture: Embodying Story and Building Resilience
» Leaders of Vision: Sustaining Impact
AITSL - Professional Standards for Middle Leaders
Standard 1: Enabling dispositions
» 1a. Open-mindedness
» 1b. Interpersonal courage
» 1c. Empathy
» 1d. Perseverance and resilience
Standard 2: Enabling knowledge and skills
» 2a. Using relevant knowledge
» 2b. Solving complex problems
» 2c. Building relational trust
» 2d. Self-reflection
Standard 5: Leading improvement in teaching practice
» 5a. Professional learning
» 5b. Evidence-informed practice
Standard 6: Managing Effectively
» 6c. Staff Management
» 6e. Strategic planning
Credit for Post Graduate Study
Christian Heritage College (CHC), Australian College of Ministries (ACOM) and Tabor College are pleased to recognise the completion of Step Up as credit for post graduate study.
Cancellation Policy
If you are needing to cancel your Middle Leaders course registration, please notify the VIC/TAS office in writing. Unfortunately, no refunds will be issued after 15 days out from the course start date. Any cancellations made after this date will be charged the full registration fee. 'No Shows' to the course events will be charged the full registration fee.
The course program is subject to change and we may not be able to provide prior notice.
Please note that registration fees do not include insurance to cover loss of any fees/deposit through cancellation of your participation in the course or through cancellation of the course itself. A full refund will be issued if the event is cancelled by the organiser (CSA) due to any reasons out of the organisers control.
Recognised by these providers
Testimonials:
"The Step-Up Middle Leaders course was one of the best decisions I made for my career. Not only have I learnt new things about myself but had the opportunity to build on my leadership skills. The facilitators helped me understand the importance of evidence-based research and developing key skills such as having difficult conversations and cultivating change in the workplace. My favourite part of the course were the in person sessions. These were embedded with rich learning experiences about teamwork, developing communication skills and opportunities to network with other teachers from Christian schools. Christian Schools Australia has done an incredible job in creating a relevant and essential course that helps us be the best we can be as we bring Glory to Him in our workplaces." ~ 2024 participant
"This experience has empowered me to inspire, lead, and drive positive change within education, making it a powerful catalyst for personal growth. The interactive sessions and personal mentoring touch has helped me to sharpen my self-awareness and nurture my desire for continuous development." ~ 2023 participant
"The leaders who have completed the Step Up program have shared their genuine appreciation, noting how beneficial and motivating they found the course. It is clear to me that the program has truly inspired them. The projects they have undertaken as part of this experience will make valuable contributions to the College community. Thank you once again for the dedication and enthusiasm you've brought to this program and for igniting such passion in our leaders." ~ Sharon Sopher, Principal, Belmont Christian College