In a vibrant pocket of Sydney’s Lower North Shore, Middle Harbour Public School is known for its enriching learning culture, strong community connections, and commitment to progressive, student-centred pedagogy. As the school looked to simplify systems, strengthen learning partnerships, and ensure consistency across teaching and reporting, Principal Laura Barry saw an opportunity to make a meaningful shift – one that would streamline operations while placing learning at the centre.
That shift was Hero.
Why Hero?
For Laura Barry and her team, the decision to adopt Hero was driven by the need for a unified platform that could support curriculum delivery, assessment, communication, and data insights – all in one place. With Hero’s Curriculum Toolkit, Middle Harbour gained a powerful, purpose-built solution that seamlessly connects learning, curriculum, and data, making it easier to lead with clarity and act with confidence.
“We were using multiple platforms to meet different needs – it was confusing for families and inefficient for staff,” explains Laura. “With Hero, everything sits together. It’s a true one-stop shop that supports consistency, coherence, and real-time visibility across the school.”
Supporting Pedagogical Vision
Middle Harbour’s leadership team is deeply committed to meaningful, evidence-based teaching and learning. Hero has become a central tool in supporting this vision – enabling staff to plan, track, and share learning in a way that supports consistent practice and ongoing professional reflection.
Teachers now collaborate on fortnightly learning plans using shared templates and curriculum-aligned content in Hero.
“We’re all on the same page,” says Assistant Principal (Stage 1), Jennifer Nuttall. “Whether it’s English or Maths, we’re working from the same concepts. Parents see the learning happening in real time, and we as a team know we’re aligned.”
This consistency has allowed Middle Harbour to embed whole-school approaches while giving staff flexibility in how they deliver lessons. Hero’s triangulation tools and real-time insights help teachers and leaders move beyond tracking – enabling data-led conversations that reveal what’s working, where to focus next, and how to support each learner effectively.
Connected, Insightful Leadership
Hero gives Laura and her leadership team a real-time view of what’s happening across the school – from student recognition, to parent meetings and learning activity. This isn’t about micromanagement; it’s about curious, informed leadership.
“I feel like I’m across 90% of what’s happening in the school – not because I want control, but because I want to understand,” says Laura. “If I notice behaviour patterns or positive recognition, I can connect with students meaningfully and support staff proactively. Hero makes that possible.”
The school also uses Hero to align evidence with strategic goals and track progress over time – from classroom data to whole-school milestones. It has helped the team meet evolving Department of Education requirements while maintaining their own high expectations and approach.
Building Family Partnerships
Hero has amplified how Middle Harbour connects with families. Using Hero’s Community Feed – styled like a social platform but with secure, school-safe design – the team shares student learning, school news, and classroom highlights in a way that resonates with today’s parents.
“We don’t use social media, but Hero gives us the same immediacy and connection,” says Laura. “Parents scroll through the app the same way they would Facebook – but it’s safe, purposeful, and centred on learning.”
Parents are actively engaging with learning posts, commenting on their children’s work, and feeling more confident in understanding classroom expectations.
“We’re helping them see what’s developmentally appropriate – and they’re part of the journey,” says Jennifer. “It’s ongoing, two-way communication – not just a newsletter.”
An Empowered, Supported Shift
While the move to Hero was a significant change, the transition was seamless – thanks to the school’s clear vision and the ongoing support of the Hero team.
“We took a staged approach to rollout and the support from Hero has been phenomenal,” says Laura. “They understand schools - they know how to listen, guide, and respond quickly.”
Teachers felt confident using the platform from early on, supported by leadership and the ability to learn by doing. As staff explored new ways to document, share, and reflect on learning, Hero became not just a platform - but part of the school’s culture.
Real-Time, Real-World Learning
Hero’s AI-powered Sidekick app is also in use, helping teachers capture evidence on the go and reduce workload. Students are increasingly involved in the process, bringing QR codes to be scanned into Hero – giving them ownership of their learning and helping them understand their next steps.
“Hero supports inquiry, curiosity, and connection,” says Laura. “It’s helped us bring together the threads of teaching, learning, leadership, and family engagement in one place – and that’s transformational.”
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Considering Hero for Your School? If you're looking for a solution that brings clarity across progress, supports curriculum-aligned practice, and connects caregivers to learning, book a demo!
