Service First, Leadership Always: Khalil Khay navigating educational Pathways and leadership stickyness

Khalil Khay. From classroom to executive to system advocate, Khalil’s story spans three decades of transformation in NSW public education. He’s currently Principal-in-Residence K–12 in the School Excellence Directorate, previously championed curriculum reform, steered the ConnectED conference for 17 years, and been named to the Educator Hot List in four of the last eight years running.As we close Season 3 and our final episode for 2025, the NSWPPA Educational Leadership Podcast concludes with a reflective conversation on leadership, purpose and sustaining meaningful change.In this episode, Drew Janetzki is joined by Khalil Khay, a highly respected NSW education leader whose career spans classroom teaching, principalship, system leadership and national advocacy.Together, they explore leadership as service, the importance of equity and moral purpose, and the value of creating multiple pathways for success across public education. Khalil reflects on his long-standing involvement with the Connected Conference, including his role as Chair, and the impact of accessible, high-quality professional learning for principals and middle leaders across New South Wales.The conversation is grounded in key system frameworks, including the NSW Public Education Plan and the NSW School Excellence Framework, and highlights the role of sustained professional learning through programs such as the Art of Leadership Program and the NSWPPA Professional Learning Suite.This final episode brings Season 3 to a close by returning to a central theme that has underpinned the year. Leadership is not about position or authority, but about enabling others, aligning values and doing the right work for students, schools and communities.NSW Primary Principals’ Associationhttps://www.nswppa.org.auNSW Public Education Planhttps://education.nsw.gov.au/about-us/strategies-and-reports/education-plan NSW School Excellence Frameworkhttps://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/school-excellence-and-accountability/school-excellence Art of Leadership Programhttps://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning/art-of-leadershipNSWPPA Professional Learning Suitehttps://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learningConnected Conferencehttps://www.connectedconference.com.auLinks and References:To view  our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learningTo view our latest offerings, visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue