411 DevelopMENTAL Coaching

Connect Conversation Coach

Based at the Seven Hills High School Vocational Innovation Centre (SHHS VIC) on Darug Land in Western Sydney, my role as Developmental Coaching Coordinator for Vocational High Schools is to spearhead an innovative initiative to improve VET student outcomes through evidence-based coaching and support.

This research project is a collaboration with generous support and guidance from the NSW Department of Education Vocational Education (Skills and Workforce Programs), Seven Hills High School Principal Matthew Saville, SHHS VIC Deputy Principal Andrew Kerr, ACU IPPE (Prof Herbert Marsh and Prof Johnmarshall Reeve), and Dr Michael Cavanagh from the USyd Coaching Psychology Unit. It involves NSW TAFE and its staff, Seven Hills High School VET Education staff, Vocational Innovation Centre industry partners, and, of course, our high school students enrolled in VET at SHHS VIC.

The pilot, first proposed in 2022 with iterations workshopped at SHHS and Wyndham College Nirimba throughout 2023 and 2024, will commence at SHHS VIC in Term 1 2025. This novel integration of autonomy-supported classrooms (teacher-led) and developmental coaching (student-led) in vocational education has the potential to provide insights into student motivation, transformation, personal growth, and well-being. In this setting, where students transition into adult learning, training, apprenticeships, further education, and first employment, the practical application of the sciences of Self-Determination Theory and Adult Development Theory presents a timely and potentially valuable contribution to educational theory, policy, and practice, both locally and globally.

It’s back to the future with developmental coaching in 2023. I cannot wait!

For anyone experiencing loneliness or despondency, there is great power in knowing that while you have to do the hard work of change on your own, someone out there has your back.

It’s sad to think how many people deal with this as their everyday place of work. Or worse still think this is a way to live their life outside of work.