New Metrics for Success
Transforming what we value in schools

New Metrics for Success is a collaborative research venture between The University of Melbourne and selected forward-thinking schools to work in partnership to address the meta-problems faced by Australian schools today and in the future.

New Metrics for Success is an opportunity for innovative school leaders to join with academic experts and international trailblazers to reimagine and influence schooling in Australia – to move away from the ‘grammar of schooling’ that continues to lock our schools into many of the distinctive features of the 20th century version of education.
Australian schooling is ready for a paradigm shift and the development of new metrics to assess, credential and measure student and school success. Young people must now be educated and assessed in new ways so they are prepared for a very different future.
In this research-practice partnership, schools work with experts at the Assessment Research Centre to access University technology to support the creation and validation of new metrics.
The partnership provides the opportunity to:
- work with progressive school leaders who have moved away from the traditional ‘grammar of schooling’
- generate new and validated assessment tools
- influence the development of new policy
- garner the necessary support to facilitate real change in schools
- connect with national and international networks of like-minded leaders.
Participants in New Metrics for Success work together on solutions to the big challenges that face Australian education and partner schools. These challenges vary but often stem from the traditional organisation of learning, which includes:
- age grading;
- curriculum devised around discipline content areas;
- reliance on summative examinations to gauge success;
- use of standardised testing in narrow areas of attainment to determine overall success; and
- timetables organised around short time periods of instruction provided principally by subject experts.

The partnership involves:
- Participants attending three two-day conferences each year. The conference programs include keynote presentations by University academics along with workshops and masterclasses facilitated by academics, international industry practitioners and renowned school leaders.
- Promoting alignment of policy and system reward and is expected to influence the development of new ideas about metrics for success for learners, schools and systems.
- Building the capacity and reputation of participants as innovative and progressive leaders.
- Accessing researchers to support the collation and analysis of school-based data.
- Schools working with the University to develop and publish case studies that promote the program and the schools’ innovations.
- Providing each school with an academic mentor to help facilitate their engagement with the program and their collaboration with other schools.
Program participants will have the opportunity to share their progress, receive critical feedback, and establish relationships with a range of schools, experts and influencers from across the education sector.
Introductory webinar
In 2020, schools who had expressed an interest were invited to an introductory webinar in October with Enterprise Professor Sandra Milligan, Professor Yong Zhao and Laureate Professor John Hattie.
The New Metrics for Success partnership is a collaboration between progressive school leaders, nationally and internationally recognised academic researchers and thought-leaders, and system, sector and industry leaders.
2022 school partners
The University of Melbourne is proud to partner with the following forward-thinking Australian schools:
Abbotsleigh, NSW
All Saints' College, WA
Barker College, NSW
Bayside P-12 College, VIC
Camberwell Girls Grammar School, VIC
Carey Baptist Grammar School, VIC
Clonard College, VIC
Dandenong High School, VIC
Genazzano FCJ College, VIC
Glenunga International High School, SA
Greenvale Secondary College, VIC
Heathfield High School, SA
Hunter Sports High School, NSW
Kurri Kurri High School, NSW
Living School, NSW
Marist-Sion College, VIC
Melaleuca Park Primary School, SA
Monivae College, VIC
Mother Teresa Primary School, NSW
Naracoorte High School, SA
Nangiloc Colignan & District Primary School, VIC
Newcastle Community of Schools, NSW
Parramatta Marist High School, NSW
Princes Hill Primary School, VIC
Prospect North Primary School, SA
Pulteney Grammar School, SA
Santa Sophia Catholic College, NSW
Scotch Oakburn College, TAS
St Columba Anglican School, NSW
St Joseph's College, Echuca, VIC
St Luke's Catholic College, NSW
St Michael's Grammar School, VIC
The Knox School, VIC
Wesley College, VIC
Woodleigh School, VIC
Wurun Senior Campus (Collingwood College & Fitzroy High School), VIC
Academic team
The Melbourne Graduate School of Education academic team will be led by members of the Graduate School’s professoriate:
| |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Participants will be connected to the leadership team’s extensive local and international network, including luminaries such as Professor Emeritus Michael Fullan (Canada) and Professor David Ng (Singapore).
Academic mentors
Throughout the partnership, schools are mentored by a team from the Assessment Research Centre:
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Industry
An industry board, chaired by the Dean of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Professor Jim Watterston, will include representatives from the schools, education departments across sectors, principal associations and progressive leadership experts.
It is anticipated that this board will provide opportunity for the work of schools and the research outcomes attained to influence policy at system and sector level. In addition, system and sector leaders will be positioned throughout the partnership to listen and learn from partner schools.

Existing school partners and invited guests
Access the program's online resources and seminars, and stay up to date with the latest news and events.
Please note: For issues relating to the partner portal, please contact technical support.
Enquiries
Talk to us about your school's needs, learn more about the current program or lodge an expression of interest for 2022. Please include your school, name and position in your email query.
Please note: All available school places in the partnership have been filled for 2021. The Melbourne Graduate School of Education is currently accepting expressions of interest from schools for 2022.
