The school year is about to start and I guess your mind is racing with all that needs to be done. I thought I would start the year by listing the AISNT (Association of Independent Schools of the Northern Territory) team, because I’m aware that there are some new Principals this year.

Gail Barker has retired after many years of terrific service, Cheryl Salter - Executive Director. Cheryl has been Gail Barker’s Deputy for many years. Cheryl knows the Independent School scene extremely well.

Rachel Boyce - Deputy Director. Rachel has taken on this position after having been Chair of the Association and Principal of Good Shepherd Lutheran School for a number of years.

Tasha Robertson - Teaching and learning Co-ordination. Tasha also knows the Independent School scene well in the NT.

Liam Salter - Admin Officer. Liam joined our team in 2020. Liam oversees our website, develops and sends out the AISNT journal and has a keen interest in well-being.

Chris Tudor - Principal liaison and AISNT historian.

Next week I will write in more detail about each member of the team.

Last week I had an interesting conversation with an experienced senior teacher. She had read about the notion of making 1% changes which had arisen out of a book by James Clear called “Atomic Habits”. We talked about the concept in relation to a school and it seemed to make sense and seemed to be a useful way of approaching a new year.



It is too easy at the start of the year to have a “heap” of huge goals which will make a difference on paper but are unachievable in reality in the year. Tackling an over ambitious program can cause anxiety, stress and disappointment if it is not achieved. The teacher and I discussed what were possible 1% changes that could be made. I guess the point is a 1% change can be readily achievable. Obviously there are some large goals which you may want to tackle so long as they are within the schools capacity and are feasible. But the concept of a 1% change also sparks a useful, achievable but different line of thinking which can indeed improve your school or how you personally may do things. The one percent’s all add up over time.

Written by Chris Tudor,

AISNT Historian & Principal Liason