Your practical guide to leading with clarity, credibility and care

Tips and Traps for School Leaders helps you build strong teams, resolve tricky conflicts, and navigate legal grey zones — all for the benefit of students.

The new book by Trevor Doyle and Ross McSwan launched 20th August. Book your copy now!

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ross@rossmcswan.com.au
0421 997 554

Tips and Traps front cover
Ross McSwan, mediator

Ross McSwan

“Conflict is inevitable, it is how you manage it that counts”

Through both face to face and online courses, Ross McSwan has advised and presented to hundreds of schools across Australia and New Zealand. As a preferred supplier to the Department of Education (QLD) his  expertise in mediation and investigation strengthens his ability to confidently manage and educate about conflict  between adults.

Ross teaches educators how to manage the art of productive conflict in a legally sound way.

His skills in resolving complex issues gives leaders peace of mind and promotes staff wellbeing.

Barrister.  Mediator.  Speaker.

Ross McSwan is a barrister who has advised and presented to hundreds of schools across Australia and New Zealand and is a Preferred Supplier to the Department of Education (Qld).

In 1994 Ross was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia. Following a number of years in a successful general law practice in North Queensland Ross chose to specialise in dispute resolution. In 2011 Ross qualified as a Barrister-at-Law. His chambers, Inns of Court – Sunshine Coast is based in Maroochydore and has an 8-person conference room for mediations as well as separate break out rooms. Ross is a nationally accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with over 3000 hours experience in family, workplace and commercial matters.

Ross in a mediation

View our courses

“Schools build a supportive culture by resolving conflict at the earliest opportunity in the most informal way by the most appropriate people”

SD8001 Candid Conversations

SD8001 Candid Conversations

Handle Difficult Conversations with  Confidence. Empower Your Team to Manage Conflict in Early, Informally and between appropriate people.

SD8009 Staff Performance and Mental Health

SD8009 Staff Performance and Mental Health

Staff Performance and Mental Health: Develop empathetic and legally compliant strategies for managing staff with mental health concerns.

SD8010 Your School and Family Law

SD8010 Your School and Family Law

Manage Family Law Issues that Intersect with the School Environment. Enhance knowledge and application of family law matters to engage confidently with parents and families.

SD8017 Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

SD8017 Bullying, Sexual Harassment and Discrimination

Preventing Sexual Harassment & Bullying: Key strategies for a Safer Workplace. Learn practical steps to promote respect and inclusivity.

SD8018 Facilitation Skills

SD8018 Facilitation Skills

Master Facilitation Skills: Practical tips for Managers to mediate disputes and build harmony.

SD8019 Challenging Behaviours of Parents

SD8019 Challenging Behaviours of Parents

Empower Teachers: Build Confidence to Manage Challenging Parental Behaviours. Tips and traps for communication in person, over the phone and via email.

Workplace Culture - Tips and Traps for School Leaders

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WHAT WE OFFER IS UNIQUE

School Disputes offers a unique set of training, conflict resolution and dispute management solutions designed specifically for the education sector.

  • Education Standards – Our courses address the Professional Practices for Principals as well as Professional Knowledge / Practice and Engagement for Teachers

  • Tools and Techniques – Our courses include succinct informative videos and comprehensive lesson quizzes.

  • Continuing Professional Development – Our courses adhere to adult learning principles and include video demonstrations, quizzes and opportunities to assist in the development of personalised practice

OUR COURSES

Be the Australian lead  provider of Complaint Management and Dispute Resolution Services for workplaces that thrive and are accountable.

Inspire and enable employers to build and sustain a supportive workplace culture.

Transparency, Collaboration, Innovation, Accountability, Justice and Equity.

Training – which is delivered in multiple ways, including e-Courses and In-Person.

Mediation – covering two types being Facilitated Discussions (where the facilitator assists parties to reach agreement and what information may be shared with others) and Reactive Mediation (similar to Facilitated Discussions but where what is said within the mediation remains confidential)

Investigation – This is a more formal processes and includes Workplace Assessments (involving identification of core issues affecting the workplace and providing recommendations about Alternative Dispute Resolution) and Fact Finding Investigations (used to determine whether allegations, such as those of workplace bullying are substantiated)

Our clients include Education Queensland, Independent Schools Queensland, Presbyterian and Methodist School Association, Catholic Education, Sister of Mercy Schools and the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association.

Department of Defence, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services and various Queensland local governments.

CONTACT ROSS

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