When Schools Get Culture Right, Everything Changes - with Adam Voigt

They talk a lot about culture in schools/education.

 

What’s really driving teacher burnout, student disengagement, and poor behaviour in schools? In this compelling conversation, I’m joined by Adam Voigt—former principal, education thought leader, and founder of Real Schools—to explore why culture, not curriculum, is the true heart of great education. From phone bans to shocking increases in sexualised behaviour, we unpack the most pressing issues in today’s classrooms—and how families can play a vital role in shaping school culture for the better.

KEY POINTS:

• Why phone bans work—and the student-led secret to getting buy-in from kids
• The disturbing rise of sexualised behaviour and harassment in schools
• Teacher burnout: why it’s getting worse and how to turn it around
• How shame, not badness, drives poor behaviour—and what restorative practices offer instead
• The 3 consistent challenges teachers face: student behaviour, workload, and parent interactions
• Why building school culture is the most powerful thing a school can do
• How culture improves outcomes for students, teachers, and parents alike

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE:

“We need to reclaim how we work—not just the classroom. When schools focus on culture, every stakeholder benefits.” – Adam Voigt

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Restoring Teaching by Adam Voigt – Free eBook, audiobook & print-at-cost version
• Adam’s organisation: Real Schools
• Happy Families resources for families and schools: happyfamilies.com.au

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS:

1. Be a culture builder at your child’s school. Ask the principal or teacher, “What’s our school’s culture—and how can I support it?”
2. Talk to your child about phone use—and help them practice face-to-face connection at home.
3. Model respectful behaviour, especially around teachers. Show your child that respect is foundational, not optional.
4. Challenge inappropriate content and conversations early. Don’t wait for school to step in—your voice matters first.
5. Share Adam’s book with your school’s leadership team. It’s a small gesture that could shift the culture in big ways.

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