Trent Burns is an Assistant Principal at Cambewarra Public School, Australia. He has been involved in school based action research to determine best practice in enhancing student achievement, in and out of school. This research led him to develop significant capacities in implementing and sustaining thinking through Philosophy for Children and various thinking based programs such as Habits of the Mind. Trent leads staff in challenging learning across all aspects of the curriculum. He is currently undertaking action research on the impact of Philosophy for Children and has a passion for implementing and delivering thinking skills programs for schools. He is able to lead schools and offer demonstrations to effectively challenge students to become resilient, thoughtful, engaged and inquisitive learners. His school is a graduate school of the Community Designed Education network, developing a shared vision, core values and engaging in world-class research that has led him to practically apply and share his knowledge and understandings to colleagues and schools across New South Wales, Australia. He draws on his practical knowledge and experience to coach and advise colleagues and schools in best practice in regards to effective teaching and pedagogy. He has presented workshops at several Principal Conferences with outstanding feedback.

Trent has also excelled on and off the sporting field. As a teenager he represented New South Wales and Australia in the sport of Rugby League. He has since had stints with the Illawarra Steelers and the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He has been Head-Coach of the Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Rugby League football club for the past 4 years and has led the team each year to the semi-finals and a grand final. Trent applies his knowledge of sports psychology and mind-set along with aspects of the CDS process to gain successful outcomes from players that he coaches.