Australian school leaders are facing mounting pressures in resource management and digital integration, with administrative demands taking a toll on principals, deputies, and department heads. The growing workload extends beyond core educational leadership, leading to stress and burnout across schools.
The rapid push towards digital learning, accelerated by recent global events, has further complicated operations. While technology presents innovative teaching solutions, many school leaders report that their staff feel unprepared and under-resourced to implement digital tools effectively. The digital skills gap remains a critical challenge, impacting student engagement and future career pathways.
These issues not only disrupt school operations but also affect student learning outcomes. Balancing traditional teaching methods with new digital demands requires a strategic, well-supported approach to maintain high educational standards without overburdening staff.
Helping schools navigate these complexities is Campion Education, the nation’s largest supplier of educational resources. At the helm is CEO Tom Bradley, who is bringing fresh insights to supporting Australian school leaders in tackling these pressing challenges.
Below, The Educator talks to Bradley about how Campion Education is easing administrative pressures on school leaders, supporting under-resourced schools, improving principal wellbeing through digital tools, and ensuring curriculum alignment amid ongoing educational reforms.
TE: Numerous studies in recent years have highlighted growing administrative demands on school principals, prompting calls for greater supports. How are Campion Education’s suite of services helping leaders to address and overcome these pressures in 2025?
Every year we engage stakeholders across schools to understand their evolving needs and pains points in order to refine how we best support them through the year. We also commission a biennial survey, Digital Landscapes in Australian Schools, to understand trends in the adoption and usage of digital tools in the K-12 space.
These inputs help us both continuously improve the core support we provide today around selecting, ordering and receiving educational products, and also to help schools navigate emerging digital solution to reduce the administrative burden or improve learning outcomes.
TE: New data shows significant funding disparities in Australia’s neediest schools. How does Campion Education support under-resourced schools in accessing quality educational materials despite these ongoing challenges?
We work with a comprehensive set of suppliers to ensure that schools and parents can access a broad range of products at different price points and models to support their educational needs. We are also working to make sure the ordering processes is simple and flexible for parents and schools, so it is clear they are getting exactly what they need. We also back awards and scholarship programs to recognise student achievement and provide direct assistance where it’s needed most.
TE: As revealed by the ACU’s Occupational Australian Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey, the wellbeing of school principals remains a critical concern, with many citing workload as a major stressor. Can you share a notable example of how Campion Education’s work is positively impacting the workload and wellbeing of school leaders?
We are continually working to improve the experience schools have when working with us. Our MyConnect2 digital platform is a great example of this. By automating processes, cutting paperwork, and reducing student and staff support calls, we’ve helped schools reclaim valuable time. One principal told me our platform has already saved her team over 100 admin hours during the back-to-school period.
Looking to the future, this year we attended the BETT Global Educational technology conference in London, both to help inform our roadmap and also to find partners internationally that we feel can add value for school teachers and leaders in Australia. It will be exciting for us to engage with schools this year and help them navigate some of the new tools available.
TE: Curriculum changes can pose challenges for schools in updating their resources accordingly. How does Campion Education ensure that the materials provided are aligned with current curriculum standards, and what support is being offered to school staff during these transitions to make sure their school can run smoothly moving forward into 2025?
Curriculum changes can be complex, but our priority is making transitions seamless for schools. At Campion, we work with curriculum authorities, publishers, and educators to ensure resources are up to date and fully aligned with the latest standards. But we don’t stop at supplying materials—we provide expert guidance to help schools choose what works best. With insights from hundreds of schools, we offer tailored training and hands-on support to make the shift easier.
Schools today are delivering far more than just curriculum—they’re building well-rounded, future-ready students. That’s why we’re focused on making sure schools have the resources, support, and confidence to navigate change effortlessly. Because when schools thrive, students do too.