The Relational School

From Behaviour Management to Cultural Transformation

By Sue Chandler

$39.95

Schools say they value relationships – but do their systems actually support them?

The Relational School is for educators and leaders who sense the gap between what their school aspires to be and what it feels like to work and learn there every day. Drawing on decades of experience as a teacher, counsellor and school leader, Sue Chandler explores why well-intentioned relational initiatives struggle to stick – and what it takes to build a culture where connection, accountability and trust aren't just ideals, but everyday practice.

Through compelling stories, practical frameworks and honest reflections, this book introduces the Relational Practice Bridge – a systems-level approach to embedding relational culture across leadership, policy and daily interactions. Complete with the Relational Practice Assessment Audit Tool, this is not another quick-fix behaviour management model. It's an invitation to reimagine how schools relate, lead and respond – with clarity, courage and a willingness to align what we say we value with how we actually work.

Also available via Amazon Kindle and iBooks

ISBN: 9781923403642

Size: 234 x 156 mm

Black & white, 208 pages

Published: April 2026

About the author: Sue Chandler

Sue Chandler has spent more than 30 years working in and alongside schools, helping them understand what sits beneath behaviour, policy and culture. Her approach is compassionate and candid, grounded in evidence, neuroscience and the lived experience of teachers and students. She stays in the mess long enough to understand it and help others find a way through. Sue works with schools across Australia through her consultancy, Transformative Schools, supporting them to develop relational cultures grounded in safety, care and shared responsibility.

Praise/Testimonials

The Relational School is an inspiring and deeply knowledgeable text that brings together the latest thinking on relational practices with clarity and purpose. Sue’s depth of understanding is impressive and energising, offering strategies that are actionable and transformative. This is not just theory; it’s a guide for educators who want to truly connect with young people,
ensuring they feel seen, valued and supported.
Janet Stewart – Deputy Head of the Women’s College, University of Queensland, and former Principal, Moreton Bay College

Readable, relatable and relevant to the unique systems that operate in schools, this is a text for all school seasons. Its strength lies in its practical approach to working effectively and respectfully with others, drawing from Sue’s own deep and broad experience as an educator, counsellor and relationship healer.
Dr Linda Evans – leadership coach, education consultant and former Principal, Fairholme College

The Relational School speaks directly to educators who know schools need to change, and who have been waiting for that change to be taken seriously. Sue writes with warmth, clarity and deep respect for the realities of school life. Through story, reflection, and carefully chosen tools, she bridges hope and practice in a way that feels both credible and achievable.
Joanna Payne – Head of House, Canberra Girls Grammar School