Recently Published – Amba Press

We've become skilled at applying trauma-informed practices to our work with young people. But what about the adults doing this work? Teachers, youth workers, social workers, carers and support staff are wading through water daily, pretending we can do so without getting wet. This book challenges that assumption. Drawing on trauma theory and research, wellbeing science and two decades of frontline experience, Megan Corcoran makes the case that trauma-informed practice cannot be something we apply to others – it must be something we embody ourselves. Beyond Survival Mode offers a compassionate and practical roadmap for professionals working in trauma-affected environments. Through the NEST framework – Notice, Embed, Strengthen, Thrive – Corcoran guides readers beyond baseline coping towards genuine flourishing, even amid challenging work. This book illuminates how trauma exposure, unsafe team culture and systemic pressures compromise practitioner wellbeing, and what we can do about it. It’s not another call for individual self-care; it's an invitation to reimagine what becomes possible when organisations create the conditions for adults to feel safe, valued and supported to do meaningful work together.

Teach, Parent, Repeat $39.95

Teaching has always been demanding. But somewhere between the staffroom and the school run, the lesson plans and the bedtime routine, it became something else entirely: relentless. Teach, Parent, Repeat says what teachers are thinking but are rarely allowed to say out loud: that the emotional labour is enormous, the expectations are contradictory and the line between who you are at work and who you are at home stopped existing a long time ago. Written by teacher, researcher and mother Emma Derainne, this is an honest, warm and wickedly funny survival guide for educators who still care deeply – and are quietly wondering how long they can keep going at this pace. Through sharp personal storytelling and grounded research, Teach, Parent, Repeat names the invisible load, challenges the myth of endless holidays and offers something genuinely rare: permission to set boundaries, lead with humanity and fall in love with teaching again – on your own terms.

The Relational School $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.

Writing a Non-boring Family History $29.95

FAMILY-HISTORY SLEUTHING IS TODAY'S BIGGEST HOBBY WORLDWIDE This unique and practical handbook will help you craft the history of your ancestors in an interesting and rewarding way that other people will want to read. Hazel Edwards addresses the vital issues of how to: interview elderly relatives and people close to the family use anecdotes and record memories do justice to intriguing ancestors structure the drama and tension inject life into a name on a shipping list present the family's secrets diplomatically. This revised edition of Hazel's best-selling guide to writing a family history acknowledges the latest e-formats that writers use, includes helpful tips on how to write history for children or write a eulogy, and covers the growing interest in touring military battlefields and researching onsite material.

Instructional Leadership $49.95

Effective instructional leadership doesn't just happen – it's created by design. Research shows it has a greater impact on student outcomes than any other form of school leadership, yet developing this capability remains one of education's most pressing challenges. Instructional Leadership: 15 High-Impact Practices to Develop Instructional Leaders provides a comprehensive framework for building the leadership capability that matters most. Drawing on extensive research and decades of practical experience, Glenn Forbes presents five critical components and fifteen evidence-based practices proven to improve student outcomes. Whether you're a new leader seeking foundational knowledge, an experienced principal developing your team, or a system leader supporting schools, this book equips you with the tools to move beyond administrative management and become an active driver of instructional improvement.

Connecting with Your Students $34.95

Connecting with Your Students is a simple, practical resource for all educators who want to build meaningful relationships with their students while developing essential life skills that drive academic success. This engaging and effective book contains 40 chapters organised across four school terms, each focusing on a different life skill. Teachers can follow the chapters chronologically throughout the year or select specific skills that align with their students’ needs. Each chapter features inspiring quotes, student-friendly definitions, ten practical classroom activities requiring minimal preparation, and real-life stories illustrating each skill in action. The activities foster positive classroom relationships while equipping students with the tools they need to overcome challenges and flourish. Learning these skills will help your students not only navigate the demands of school life but also thrive throughout their lives. Preparing developing brains for life. Andrew Fuller Andy shows teachers exactly how to build genuine relationships. Professor Pasi Sahlberg The secret sauce for teachers: relationships before curriculum. Andrew Dalgleish

The Leadership Edge $39.95

Leadership in schools goes far beyond titles, as Executive Assistants (EAs) prove every day. Working behind the scenes, EAs straddle multiple departments and functions while creating an environment in which staff and students can thrive. Few people fully understand the challenges, complexities, and rewards of their work. In The Leadership Edge, Kristine Niven draws on her extensive experience as an EA − and founder of EAs in Education − to offer insight into a role that is often marked by ambiguity in schools and the wider EA community. This book provides practical tips, strategies, and approaches to help EAs develop their personal and professional practice, while offering a fresh perspective on leadership that goes beyond hierarchies and salary brackets. Drawing together hard-won lessons from Niven’s personal journey and insights from leaders, thinkers, philosophers, and artists, this book provides EAs with a clear roadmap for developing their own leadership edge.

Humming Along $39.95

‘For the sake of humanity’. It's a simple answer to why someone becomes a Humanities teacher, yet it captures the profound responsibility of educators who shape students' empathy, integrity and capacity to make informed decisions about our world's future. Katrina Davey understands this calling intimately – and she also knows the tough situations that can undermine it: out-of-field teachers thrust into unfamiliar subjects, the constant battle for adequate class time and maintaining student engagement during the era of artificial intelligence. Humming Along is Katrina’s response to the challenges facing Humanities education. Drawing from her successful track record of building thriving faculties, she offers practical strategies that can make teams hum – from helping anxious graduates master multiple disciplines to convincing leadership of Humanities' vital role in developing the ‘heart’ that makes students truly human. With concrete tools for curriculum design, authentic assessment and faculty collaboration, this book provides a roadmap for creating engaging Humanities courses where both teachers and students discover the genuine wonder of exploring our world together.

The Perfect Parent Trap $39.95

You're not failing. You're just caught in a trap designed for struggle. Modern parenting is drowning us. We have more information than ever, yet parents are more anxious, burnt out, and disconnected than they've been in generations. We're told to manage behaviour, enforce rules, and stay in control – but not how to stay emotionally present during meltdowns or manage the old wounds that get pressed when our children's behaviour hooks something deep inside us. After twenty-five years working with families, therapist Lisa Taylor knows the truth: the real problem isn't your child's behaviour. It's the invisible heartprints from your own childhood – the emotional imprints that still shape how you respond when stress runs high and nothing goes to plan. The Perfect Parent Trap offers something different. Not another technique to master, but an invitation to break free from inherited patterns of control, perfectionism, and fear. When you learn to respond to the child in front of you instead of reacting from the child within you, everything shifts. This isn't about doing more. It's about being more present - with yourself first, then with the people you love most. Your children don't need you to be perfect. They need you to be real.

On Character $34.95

What does it mean to live a life of good character? And how do we form such character in ourselves and those we teach? Character is how we live our lives as individuals and in community. It's how we strive to belong, fulfil our potential and do what is good and right in the world. It's how we wrestle with ourselves and the world to make a mark and measure up. Through the metaphor of the stonemason's chisel – making marks that are both distinctive and enduring – Dr Phil Cummins reveals character as the wrestling between who we are and who we might become. Drawing on decades of experience working with schools worldwide, he shows how we are formed through this wrestling, always the wrestling, in a life that might come, in time, to be both worthwhile and well-lived. A person of good character can be seen and recognised as one who pursues what is best, who seeks to know, love and do what is true and beautiful in the world. Yet for all our good intentions, we cannot ever quite be the best versions of ourselves, no matter how much we would like this to be the case. We need relationships of character apprenticeship that show us we are not good enough yet – and then help us to grow. Written with clarity, wisdom and a distinctively Australian perspective on equity and excellence, this essential guide challenges educators, leaders and anyone committed to human flourishing to embrace the formation of character for lives of purpose, integrity and service to others.

Notebook Notions $39.95

Many teachers don’t see themselves as writers – a disconnect often rooted in their own restrictive school experiences where writing meant following rigid assignments with little room for creative freedom. Yet writing alongside students transforms teaching, allowing educators to demonstrate the authentic struggles and joys of the writing process while building their own confidence with words. In Notebook Notions, experienced educator and writer Alan j Wright shares the lessons learned across a rewarding career, revealing how the simple act of keeping a writer’s notebook can revolutionise both your teaching practice and your relationship with writing itself. Drawing from years of experience as a teacher who writes – and a writer who teaches – Alan offers practical wisdom on launching and sustaining a writer’s notebook practice. From collecting raw ideas and embracing inspiration to moving notebook entries into finished projects, this book provides a clear pathway for educators ready to model genuine writer agency in their classrooms. With warmth and candour, Alan reminds us that becoming a writer requires the same courage as learning to ride a bicycle: you must simply climb on and start pedalling. Your notebook journey begins with daring to fill that first blank page.

Developing Executive Functioning in the Primary Years $44.95

‘As you read, you will not only fi nd practical strategies to use tomorrow, but also the courage to centre what matters most — empowering learners for lifelong success.’ Dr Shyam Barr In a world of rapid change, students need more than content – they need the skills to think, adapt and thrive. Traditionally, education has focused on what to learn, but the real power lies in teaching students how to learn. Dr Rosalyn Muir presents a compelling case in Developing Executive Functioning in the Primary Years: SOWATT can we do to empower learners? for intentionally teaching students how to “drive their learning”, by developing the executive functions and self-regulation skills that enable lifelong learning. Building on the success of her earlier work, Developing Executive Functioning in the Early Years: SOWATT can I do?, Dr Muir uses the practical SOWATT framework – Self-regulation, Organisation, Working memory, Attention, Thinking flexibly and Thinking about thinking – to guide teachers in making educational aspirations a reality. Practical, evidence-based and inspiring, this book equips teachers with the tools to develop capable, self-directed learners – ready for today and prepared for tomorrow.

The Next Word: AI & Learners $39.95

What happens when artificial intelligence becomes the smartest presence in every classroom? In this essential follow-up to their acclaimed first guide, Dr Nick Jackson and Matthew Esterman team up with Amy Wallace – a Year 12 graduate who brings the student voice to this urgent conversation about AI’s role in learning. The Next Word: AI & Learners moves beyond the basics to tackle the complex realities students face today, from banned apps to cognitive offloading, from deepfakes to digital wellbeing. The authors dive deep into the science of learning and investigate the crucial question: is AI a helpful prosthetic or a dangerous crutch? Most importantly, this isn’t just another book about students – it’s a book with them. Amy’s perspective illuminates how young people actually want AI to shape their futures and what authentic learning looks like when machines can seemingly learn everything. With practical insights for educators and real-world tools for navigating education’s AI-integrated future, The Next Word: AI & Learners ensures you’re part of the conversation that’s reshaping how we think about learning itself.

Connecting Whole-School Literacy $42.95

Connecting Whole-School Literacy tackles the reality that many secondary students arrive with literacy skills years below grade level, yet every subject demands specific reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities. Author Hayley Harrison, drawing from twenty years of classroom experience, promotes the understanding that literacy development cannot fall solely to English teachers – it must become every educator's responsibility. This practical guide not only explains the research around how students learn to read and write, but also demonstrates how teachers across all subjects can effectively support struggling readers and writers while extending advanced learners. Harrison bridges research -into practice with immediately usable strategies, activities and frameworks designed for busy secondary teachers. The book provides explicit explanation of current understanding in the process of literacy acquisition alongside concrete tools for vocabulary instruction, reading comprehension, writing development and oral communication that respect subject expertise while building teacher confidence. Whether you're seeking to better understanding and support individual students in your class or lead and implement whole-school literacy reform, this resource offers the roadmap for transforming student outcomes through collective, cross-curricular literacy instruction that recognises every teacher as a teacher of literacy. View the downloadables here.

Teaching Primary Maths $39.95

In this deeply personal and practical guide, educator Emma Bird takes you on a transformative journey that begins with the most important question: Who are you as a mathematics educator? Drawing from her own experiences of maths anxiety and her path to becoming a passionate advocate for quality mathematics education, she reveals how our beliefs and past experiences profoundly shape our teaching practice. Through honest reflection and research-backed strategies, she guides teachers through examining their own mathematical journey before they can truly transform their students' learning experiences. Teaching Primary Maths goes far beyond traditional teaching methods to explore what truly matters – creating inclusive, engaging and conceptually rich learning environments where all students can thrive. Emma Bird addresses critical topics including maths anxiety, engagement, and the power of creativity, curiosity, and playful learning in mathematics. Whether you're a new teacher feeling overwhelmed by mathematics instruction or an experienced educator ready to deepen your practice, this book provides the practical tools, current research, and real-world examples you need to nurture not just mathematical knowledge, but mathematical confidence and resilience in every student. Your work as a mathematics educator matters deeply – and this book will help you make that impact last a lifetime.

School by Design $39.95

School transformation isn't about programmes – it's about people, pedagogy and place working in harmony. In School by Design, Anne Knock reveals how understanding complexity theory can revolutionise your ability to create thriving learning ecosystems. Drawing from her PhD research exploring the shift from solo to co-teaching as a response to educational complexity, Anne Knock demonstrates that without fundamental changes to how we think about school structures, meaningful transformation remains elusive. This guide explores five essential elements of transformative learning environments and practical strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you're a school principal, educational leader, or teacher seeking to amplify your impact, School by Design offers a unique blend of theoretical insights and real-world application. Anne's research shows that the most effective educational transformations understand how to align vision, culture and practice through collaborative approaches. With compelling stories of famous minds who struggled in traditional systems, evidence-based frameworks and actionable tools, this book will help you master the art of educational transformation and become the kind of leader who creates schools where every learner can flourish.

Chalk Full of Laughs $29.95

Robert Favretto hasn’t just survived 45 years navigating the vibrant chaos of primary school – he’s emerged with a treasure trove of hilarious stories! In Chalk Full of Laughs, Favretto swings open the classroom door and invites you into a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud collection of true tales. Prepare for everything from students who took directions so literally it defied belief, to show-and-tell moments that spiralled wildly off-script, and the countless unpredictable surprises that kept him firmly on his toes (and occasionally sent him diving for cover). Brimming with genuine warmth, sharp wit, and wisdom earned the hard way, these stories celebrate the joy, the madness, and the sheer fun of life at school. Perfect for teachers, parents, or anyone who's ever sat at a student's desk, this book is guaranteed to leave you smiling, snorting with laughter, and fondly remembering just how wonderfully unforgettable school days can be – especially in Mr Fav's class!

The Curious Cat and the Quest for School Improvement $42.95

The Curious Cat and the Quest for School Improvement: Reclaiming Wonder in Education reveals how curiosity – once the heartbeat of vibrant schools – has been quietly squeezed out by compliance cultures, standardised testing, and the relentless pursuit of measurable outcomes. Dr Wayne Craig explores how this erosion has left educators feeling depleted, students disengaged, and school improvement efforts spinning without true transformation. Compounding the challenge, the persistent influence of school socioeconomic status (SES) continues to shape outcomes in ways that traditional reforms have failed to address. Yet curiosity isn’t lost – it’s simply waiting in the margins, ready to reignite the wonder that makes learning meaningful and sustainable change possible. Through the metaphor of the curious cat, this book presents a compelling framework for renewal built on three pillars: curiosity as the spark for genuine learning, moral purpose as the ethical foundation of educational work, and school capital as the conditions that allow inquiry to flourish. Moving beyond surface-level reforms, it offers practical guidance for teachers, leaders, and systems ready to move from compliance to curiosity, from implementation to investigation. This is not another improvement strategy – it’s an invitation to remember what makes schools truly alive and to nurture the questions that lead to transformation from the inside out.

Grounded by Katrina Bourke $39.95

In Grounded, Katrina Bourke offers a life raft for leaders navigating uncertain and chaotic times. Drawing from her own journey of leadership burnout and what she calls her 'log cabin breakdown,' Bourke presents the Grounded Leadership Framework, a practical guide for staying aligned with your values and leading with authenticity, even when paddling furiously beneath a calm surface. This deeply personal book invites leaders, particularly those in education, to build their own 'sacred ground', a solid foundation that anchors them through challenges and allows them to push the hair off their faces and be truly seen. With journal prompts, evidence-based research, and practical strategies, the Grounded Leadership Framework shows how embracing your full humanity – strengths, imperfections, and vulnerabilities – is not a leadership weakness but the key to creating human-centred environments where both you and those you serve can thrive.

The Connection Conundrum $42.95

In schools around the world, a crisis is growing: students are disengaging, teachers are burning out, and communities are fracturing under competing priorities. Despite overwhelming evidence that meaningful connection underpins both academic success and wellbeing, schools continue to treat relationship-building as a "nice-to-have" rather than essential work. Author Matt Pitman calls this The Connection Conundrum – the paradox of knowing connection matters yet consistently prioritising everything else. Like any great endeavour, success in education depends on trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. Pitman shows how educators can navigate the challenges of modern schooling by placing connection at the centre of everything they do. Written for teachers unwilling to wait for permission to lead change, this follow-up to The Connection Curriculum offers a practical roadmap through the 4Cs – Culture, Communication, Collaboration, and Curiosity – that transform disconnected classrooms into thriving learning communities. Matt Pitman empowers educators to lead from where they are, providing actionable strategies to build relationships, foster belonging, and sustain meaningful connection, even when formal leadership hesitates. The Connection Conundrum is an urgent call to action for anyone who believes schools should put people first – offering the tools to make that vision a reality.

Elevated Conversations $34.95

Elevated Conversations by Dr Simon Breakspear offers a practical toolkit for educators seeking to transform their collaborative meeting times from draining, unfocused sessions into purposeful, energising discussions. Drawing from years of experience working with thousands of educators, Breakspear presents seven field-tested conversational tools designed to help team leaders facilitate more meaningful professional conversations while reducing their preparation workload. The book addresses a common challenge in education: making the most of limited collaborative time when everyone is already stretched thin. Developed through extensive collaboration with educators and refined through feedback from diverse teaching professionals, this book provides ready-to-use templates and structured approaches that any team member can implement. Rather than prescribing exact content for meetings, this toolkit focuses on powerful frameworks that elevate discussion quality, stimulate fresh thinking, strengthen team connections, and drive practical improvements in educational practice. The book serves as a practical facilitator playbook that transforms the way educators engage in professional dialogue, moving teams from what Simon calls ‘weary talk’ to truly elevated conversations.

Influence $42.95

Leadership isn't about authority – it's about influence. In Influence, Dr Judi Newman reveals how understanding the brain through a neuroscience lens can transform your ability to inspire, unite and deliver results. Drawing from her PhD research shadowing high-performing school principals, Newman demonstrates that without neuroplastic changes in the brain over time, there is limited learning and behaviour change. This groundbreaking book explores twelve essential leadership attributes and practical influence strategies you can implement immediately. Whether you're a seasoned executive, emerging leader or someone seeking to amplify their impact, Influence offers a unique blend of scientific insights and real-world application. Newman's research shows that the most effective leaders understand how to appeal to our inner motivations through biological processes in the brain. With compelling stories, evidence-based research and actionable tools, this book will help you master the art of influence and become the kind of leader who inspires others to bring out their best performance.

Teacher Wellbeing Transformed $39.95

In a profession where burnout has become epidemic, Teacher Wellbeing Transformed offers educators an approach that goes beyond standard self-care checklists. Drawing on neuroscience and psychology, this groundbreaking resource reveals why so many teachers remain stuck in survival mode despite their best efforts – and provides practical, evidence-based strategies to regulate your nervous system, manage overwhelming emotions and reclaim your passion for teaching before burnout takes hold. With compassionate understanding from someone who's been there, this book delivers a three-part framework of self-awareness, self-empowerment and self-regulation that empowers teachers to thrive, not just survive. From managing energy instead of time to establishing boundaries without guilt, you'll discover actionable techniques that can be implemented during the school day – because teacher wellbeing isn't selfish or optional, it's the foundation upon which effective education is built. Transform your approach to teaching by mastering stress management and understanding its crucial role in ensuring your health, happiness and professional longevity.

Mainstream Primary Schooling Your Special-Needs Child $34.95

In this compassionate and practical guide, Alicia Cohen shares invaluable insights and hard-won wisdom gleaned from her experience navigating the mainstream school system with her special-needs child. Written specifically for parents and carers of children with special needs – from ADHD and autism to dyslexia, physical disabilities and mental health challenges – this accessible resource combines emotional support with actionable advice. It’s not just about educational strategies – it's about finding your path, building an effective support team, understanding your rights, managing the emotional rollercoaster and remembering to care for yourself while advocating for your child. Featuring personal stories from parents, educators and professionals, this guide provides diverse perspectives on the mainstreaming journey. While mainstreaming isn't for the faint-hearted, with the right approach it can be a rewarding experience for your special-needs child and your whole family.

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