THE LEADERSHIP CARE GAP IN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

School systems invest significantly in student wellbeing, staff professional development, and compliance frameworks. Yet the person responsible for holding all of it together — the principal — is frequently the least structurally supported person in the building.

• More than half of Australian principals report having considered leaving the profession (ACU Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey, 2025)
• Leadership fatigue is the leading precursor to principal resignation and early exit
• The average cost of replacing a senior school leader — including recruitment, transition, and culture disruption — is estimated at 1.5–2× annual salary
• Preventative support costs a fraction of a replacement process

The question is not whether your leaders need support. The question is whether you provide it before they reach breaking point.

WHAT PERMISSION TO PAUSE OFFERS SCHOOLS

We offer structured professional leadership care that schools can fund as professional development, wellbeing investment, or duty-of-care provision.

Group Programmes — Leadership Collective

Facilitated pastoral care groups of 6–10 leaders. Run alongside the school term, online, with no travel required. Available per semester or full year.

• Semester (15 sessions): $1,500 per leader | School licence for 2 leaders: $2,700 | 3+ leaders: $1,350 per person
• Full year (30 sessions): $2,750 per leader | Discounted school licence rates available

New Leader Programme — Steady Start

For principals, deputy principals and acting leaders in their first three years. A semester-long structured care experience with group facilitation and private 1:1 sessions included.

• Per leader: $3,450 | School licence for 2 leaders: $6,200 | 3+ leaders: $2,900 per person

Private 1:1 Leadership Care

Confidential one-to-one care for a principal or senior leader navigating a particularly complex season. School-funded as a professional wellbeing benefit.

• Single session: $300 | 6-session care plan: $1,650 | 12-session care plan: $3,000

HOW SCHOOLS TYPICALLY FUND THIS

• Professional development budget. Leadership care is a legitimate and increasingly expected form of professional learning. It supports leadership longevity, decision quality, and school culture.
• Wellbeing or pastoral care budget. Schools that fund staff wellbeing programs can apply the same framework to leadership wellbeing.
• Duty of care provision. Schools have a duty of care to their employees. Structured, preventative support for leaders in high-pressure roles is increasingly recognised as part of that obligation.
• Individual self-funded, school-subsidised. Some schools choose to part-subsidise individual leader enrolments as a retention and care benefit.

WHY PERMISSION TO PAUSE?

• Christian school specific. Designed for and delivered within a Christian faith framework. Faith is available as a genuine resource — not a veneer.
• 22 years of lived principalship. Sharon Kotzur spent 22 years as a school principal. Your leaders are cared for by someone who has carried exactly what they carry.
• Discreet and confidential. No reporting to the school. No performance metrics. A genuinely safe space for your leaders.
• No travel. No disruption. All sessions are online. Leaders participate from their office, home, or wherever works.
• Flexible formats. Group programmes, private care, and — soon — on-demand support for acute moments.

THE INVESTMENT IN PERSPECTIVE

A full-year group enrolment for three leaders costs $4,050. A principal resignation and replacement process typically costs $80,000–$150,000 when recruitment, transition, and culture disruption are counted.

Prevention is not an expense. It is the most strategic leadership investment your school can make.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS — FOR SCHOOLS

Is this confidential from the school?

Yes. Session content is strictly confidential. Sharon does not report on individual leaders to the school or board. The school knows a leader is enrolled — nothing more.

Can we fund this through our professional development budget?

In most cases, yes. We are happy to provide documentation describing the programme in professional development terms to support your budget approval process.

Is this appropriate for non-Christian leaders in our school?

The programme is designed for Christian leaders and the faith framing is central. Faith integration is always offered gently and is never compelled — but the programme is not designed to be secular.

Can we enrol multiple leaders at different times in the year?

Yes. Group programme cohorts begin at the start of each school term. 1:1 care can begin at any time. Contact us to discuss timing and availability.

Is there a formal agreement or invoice?

Yes. School enrolments are supported by a simple letter of engagement and a formal tax invoice. GST is not applicable — we are not registered for GST at this time.