Win one of 5 x The Secrets of St Jude's books by Sue Simon valued at $32.99 each.
Former Principal Lifts the Lid on Power, Silence and Secrets in Schools
New national research has revealed that nearly half of Australia's school principals are now experiencing physical violence in their roles " with almost 90% reporting abusive behaviour.
What really happens inside the institutions we trust most?
After decades working inside Australian school communities, former principal Susan Simon has written a debut novel drawn from lived experience " offering a rare insider perspective on the systems that shape school leadership today.
The Secrets of St Jude's is an academic noir " a gripping work of fiction grounded in reality that explores the hidden dynamics of power, leadership and silence within high-pressure school environments.
Set within the tightly controlled world of an elite girls' school " a world Susan Simon knows intimately from decades spent leading within Australian school communities " the story follows newly appointed principal Rosie Gladshaw as she steps into a role shaped by tradition, hierarchy and unspoken rules.
'It is important for our principal to be a person with an unwavering commitment to her faith… You will be scrutinised for this objective, I must emphasise.' The Secrets of St Jude's
What begins as an opportunity to lead with integrity quickly becomes a test of resilience, as Rosie navigates staff unrest, influential alumni, religious authority and a growing sense that not everything at St Jude's is as it seems.
At St Jude's, leadership is shaped not just by experience, but by expectation " where faith, reputation and authority are closely intertwined.
As pressure mounts within the school, underlying tensions begin to surface " exposing the competing forces shaping life at St Jude's.
'Well, obviously we appointed her because we believed she had the leadership abilities and experience to withstand the forces that operate here. And by that, my man, we mean not only the diocesan power that we are proud to represent, but also Mother and the sisters, the old girls, the influential parents and leaders within the community, and not least, the mixed bag of traditional, embittered and sometimes venomous staff. Not only must she withstand these forces, she must also heal the long-held animosities that abound within the school hierarchy and take St Jude's to new heights. But the jury is out on that now, of course; we will see what happens at the meeting.' The Secrets of St Jude's
Drawing on her insider experience as a former principal, Susan Simon reveals how competing interests, long-standing loyalties and institutional expectations collide " and the personal and professional consequences that follow when good people attempt to lead within flawed systems.
'Even though I have conjured some highly toxic behaviour, subversive intent and confronting issues, my overwhelming sentiment in writing this has been one of gratitude for the truly excellent educators I've known,' Susan says.
Originally sparked by discussions in Susan's creative writing group with fellow academics, the novel evolved from reflective school-based stories into a layered work of fiction combining psychological tension, institutional critique and compelling narrative.
'The other group members really wanted me to add a murder in there, so that is what I wove in. St Jude's became the academic noir tale that it is today,' says Susan.
At a time when trust in institutions is under pressure, The Secrets of St Jude's raises urgent questions about leadership, accountability and the cost of silence " and what happens when protecting systems comes at the expense of protecting people, both within and beyond the school gates.
The Secrets of St Jude's
by Sue Simon
Ventura Press
RRP: $32.99
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