Managing your Inbox

Commences: Monday, June 15, 2026

Email is where requests arrive and where others follow up on your commitments. It is not a to-do list, but it often gets used as one.

When email is not managed well, it quickly becomes a source of pressure. Messages are read, then left, then read again. Important requests sit alongside low-value information, and it becomes harder to see what actually needs attention. You might find yourself scanning your inbox to work out what matters, rather than knowing clearly what you’ve committed to.

As a result, commitments can be missed or delayed. People are forced to follow up, wasting more of your time. You may find yourself trying to keep track of things in your head and waking up at 3 am when you remember something you had forgotten.

What’s often missing is a simple way to make clear decisions about incoming work, move it to a trusted place, and build habits that help you stay on top of your commitments without constantly checking or carrying things in your head.

What you’ll develop

In this course, you will expand your ability to:

• See email as a stream of requests and commitments, not just messages
• Make clear decisions about each email, rather than re-reading and carrying it mentally
• Set up a simple system for tracking actions, commitments, and reference material
• Build habits for processing your inbox so work moves reliably
• Stay on top of your commitments without using your inbox or your mind as a holding space

Course format

This short course is designed to fit within the rhythm of school life:

• Self-paced preparation (approx. 60 minutes)
• Live online workshop (90 minutes)
• Implementation period (at least one week)
• Online reflection and peer learning session (90 minutes)

Total guided learning time: 3–4 hours, plus application in your own work.

Who this is for

This course is designed for:

• School leaders and senior teachers
• Those responsible for leading others or contributing to team performance
• Educators who want to strengthen their leadership capability through practical skill development

Alignment with Professional Standards

This course supports:

• Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (AITSL)
  • Standard 6: Engage in professional learning
  • Standard 7: Engage professionally with colleagues
• Australian Professional Standard for Principals
  • Leading improvement through professional dialogue, collaboration, and staff development

Delivery details

Delivery mode: Online