Emeritus Professor
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Dr John Halsey commenced his career as a teacher, and was a principal of two schools in South Australia - Ceduna Area School and The Heights School (both reception to year 12, one rural, one metropolitan). He has been the Associate Director of the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia, an Executive Director in the South Australian Department of Education and Children's Services and a Chief of Staff to a State Minister for Education and Children's Services. He has also worked as an Educational Facilities Project Officer and for the Australian School's Commission Choice and Diversity in Education initiative. He is the former Executive Officer of the Rural Education Forum Australia, and a consultant with the Center for RelationaLearning, Santa Fe, New Mexico. In 2017, John conducted a review into regional, rural and remote education for the Australian Government. He transmitted his report to the Government in January 2018. In his report, John argued the key challenge for regional, rural and remote education is ensuring, regardless of location or circumstances, that every young person has access to high quality schooling and opportunities. To meet this challenge, John identified 4 overarching priorities, 11 recommendations and 53 specific actions. In the 2018-19 budget, the Australian Government allocated $96.1 million over 4 years as an initial response to the Independent Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education.
EdD, MEd, Grad Dip Ed Admin, Dip T (Sec)
Grants, donations, funding:
Research and teaching interests include rural schools and community sustainability; rural and remote leadership and management; framing rural and remote education in non-deficit ways and innovative/integrated policies and operations; determining the personal and institutional costs of pre-service rural and remote teacher placements; formulating appropriate resourcing policy and models.Vibrant, productive rural communities are integral to the long-term sustainability of Australia; it is critical that people who live and work in rural and remote Australia have access to high quality, relevant and affordable education, training and care at all ages and stages of life. It is also essential that people who live and work in urban contexts and provide policy advice to government (and others) and design and manage programs intended to benefit country people and communities, deeply understand rural.
Professor Halsey was appointed by the Australian Government to conduct an independent review into regional, rural and remote education during 2017. A report with recommendations was released in January 2018. Details about the review are available at https://www.education.gov.au/independent-review-regional-rural-and-remote-education