In this episode of Around the School Table (xuno.com.au/podcasts), host Steve Davis is joined by Ryan Ma, assistant principal of Saltwater P–9 College, one of Australia’s fastest-growing schools. Since opening its gates in 2019 with 490 students, Saltwater has expanded to more than 2,200 learners in just six years. With families representing over 29 nationalities and 81 languages, the school is a living snapshot of modern multicultural Australia.

Ryan explains how Saltwater balances the opportunities and challenges of such rapid growth. From welcoming new families every week to ensuring academic quality across a staff of 250 teachers, the college has re-imagined what it means to create belonging on a large scale. For students, being the “new kid” is a short-lived experience; soon replaced by another arrival: fostering a culture of welcome and adaptability.

Central to Saltwater’s philosophy is the International Baccalaureate framework, with its emphasis on inquiry, student agency, and multiple perspectives. Ryan shares how this approach allows students to move beyond rote learning into deeper, critical engagement with global issues, while also leveraging the diversity of the school community itself as a learning resource.

Staff retention and collaboration are also front and centre. Instead of isolated teaching roles, Saltwater builds faculty teams that plan and problem-solve together, much like diagnostic teams in hospitals. Teachers share insights, support each other, and collectively tackle challenges.

Data plays a pivotal role too. Inspired by the film Moneyball, Ryan demonstrates how tools like Student Maps is used to track progress, support teachers, and ensure strategies are effective. Rather than relying solely on instinct, evidence helps Saltwater refine practice and maintain consistency at scale.

Looking ahead, Ryan reflects on the future of education in Point Cook and beyond. With technology transforming access to information, he argues that schools must focus on relationships, resilience, and collaboration; the skills that will define success in the twenty-first century.

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In this episode of <a href="https://xuno.com.au/podcasts/">Around the School Table</a> (<a href="https://xuno.com.au/podcasts">xuno.com.au/podcasts</a>), host Steve Davis is joined by Ryan Ma, assistant principal of <a href="https://saltwatercollege.vic.edu.au/">Saltwater P&ndash;9 College</a>, one of Australia&rsquo;s fastest-growing schools. Since opening its gates in 2019 with 490 students, Saltwater has expanded to more than 2,200 learners in just six years. With families representing over 29 nationalities and 81 languages, the school is a living snapshot of modern multicultural Australia.
Ryan explains how Saltwater balances the opportunities and challenges of such rapid growth. From welcoming new families every week to ensuring academic quality across a staff of 250 teachers, the college has re-imagined what it means to create belonging on a large scale. For students, being the &ldquo;new kid&rdquo; is a short-lived experience; soon replaced by another arrival: fostering a culture of welcome and adaptability.
Central to Saltwater&rsquo;s philosophy is the International Baccalaureate framework, with its emphasis on inquiry, student agency, and multiple perspectives. Ryan shares how this approach allows students to move beyond rote learning into deeper, critical engagement with global issues, while also leveraging the diversity of the school community itself as a learning resource.
Staff retention and collaboration are also front and centre. Instead of isolated teaching roles, Saltwater builds faculty teams that plan and problem-solve together, much like diagnostic teams in hospitals. Teachers share insights, support each other, and collectively tackle challenges.
Data plays a pivotal role too. Inspired by the film Moneyball, Ryan demonstrates how tools like <a href="https://xuno.com.au/student-maps/">Student Maps</a> is used to track progress, support teachers, and ensure strategies are effective. Rather than relying solely on instinct, evidence helps Saltwater refine practice and maintain consistency at scale.
Looking ahead, Ryan reflects on the future of education in Point Cook and beyond. With technology transforming access to information, he argues that schools must focus on relationships, resilience, and collaboration; the skills that will define success in the twenty-first century.
Powered by:&nbsp;<a href="https://xuno.com.au/">xuno.com.au</a>

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected. 

About Xuno 

Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K–12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide. 

Website: https://xuno.com.au/ 

Email: info@xuno.com.au 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected.&nbsp;
About Xuno&nbsp;
Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K&ndash;12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide.&nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://xuno.com.au/">https://xuno.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Email: <a href="mailto:info@xuno.com.au">info@xuno.com.au</a>&nbsp;

Around the School Table 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected. 

 

About Xuno 

Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K–12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide. 

Website: https://xuno.com.au/ 

Email: info@xuno.com.au 

Around the School Table" brings together the many voices shaping primary and secondary education across Australia, from principals and teachers to education thought leaders and system innovators. Whether you're in the classroom, the staff room or the boardroom, this is your podcast to be informed, inspired and connected.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
About Xuno&nbsp;
Xuno Suite is an all-in-one school management system for Australian K&ndash;12 schools. It simplifies administration, boosts communication, and supports student wellbeing. Core features include attendance, reporting, payments, incident tracking, and a parent app for real-time updates. Teachers can manage assessments, schedules, and contact families through the platform. Additional modules like Accelerus (advanced reporting) and Student Maps (learning analytics) offer deeper insights. Xuno complies with ACARA and ST4S standards, is locally supported, and trusted by over 500,000 users nationwide.&nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://xuno.com.au/">https://xuno.com.au/</a>&nbsp;
Email: <a href="mailto:info@xuno.com.au">info@xuno.com.au</a>&nbsp;