
For collaborative teams, one of the biggest challenges is knowing how to use time productively. Based on the masterful book, Collaborative Teams That Work, this highly practical retreat provides definitive guidance for teams to work through ongoing cycles of learning, so they can have maximum impact.
At their worst, collaborative teams can seem like yet another burden to bear – perhaps even a frustrating waste of time in a school day already overflowing with commitments.
If your team doesn’t know how to use its time productively, and is expected to work collaboratively with little support or knowledge on how to do this, it’s difficult to use the power of the group to have any real impact.
Do you find your team focusing on the wrong things? Is it unclear how ongoing professional learning fits into the work of teams in a professional learning community (PLC)? Or maybe there’s just members who aren’t buying into the collective responsibility of the team.
In this intensive retreat, designed for principals, assistant principals, collaborative teams, leadership staff, classroom teachers and specialist teachers, you’ll learn how to apply the essential evidence-based actions high-performing collaborative teams implement.
You’ll leave with new insights on how to overcome common challenges, measure impact and use clear processes to plan and conduct successful collaborative team meetings.
WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT THIS RETREAT
EXPERT LED
Learn from the expertise of renowned educators and authors, Gavin Grift and Colin Sloper, who have spent their careers committed to researching, developing, applying and refining collaborative team processes that genuinely improve student learning and impact teacher practice.
CONTEXTUALISED
Each day is contextualised with supporting examples. Participants are supported to work on their collaborative team process so they can have maximum impact on student learning. Unlike some other retreats, we spend much less time on the ‘how’ and ‘why’. Instead we dig deeper into the actual tasks that collaborative teams in a PLC should focus their efforts on so that they can be actioned immediately.
WE'RE EDUCATORS TOO
We’ve worked as principals, professional learning providers, sta leaders, curriculum directors, coaches and classroom teachers – and we definitely speak your language.
SOME QUESTIONS ADDRESSED IN THIS RETREAT
Past participants are saying….
“This program has reignited the passion for being a leader. Being a conscious leader and not going into autopilot. Teaching me some new strategies to use when I lead and help grow leaders within the team. Thank you very much!”
“This program has given me powerful tools to bring discipline to collaborative meetings and work to maintain a focus on the goal of the meeting to increase our collective productivity.”

Gavin Grift
Gavin Grift is the founder of Grift Education, and one of Australia’s most in-demand presenters.
Through his keynotes, seminars, and coaching services, Gavin has helped thousands of educators cultivate authentic collaboration, build success in others and commit to reflective practice.
Alongside Jane Danvers and Heather DeBlasio, he designed the Five Ways of Being leadership program to help leaders who feel ill-prepared, overwhelmed, or lack confidence in their impact.

Colin Sloper
Colin Sloper is a leading expert and author on Professional Learning Communities.
He works with systems, schools, leaders and educators to transform them into high-performing
PLCs, and build their capabilities to operate as members of highly effective collaborative teams.
Colin’s skills as an educational leader, speaker and coach – alongside his practical advice and knowledge – are highly sought after by educational organisations across all sectors.