Ian Worley is the Principal of Quirindi High School, a NSW public high school located on the Liverpool Plains on the lands of the Kamilaroi people in north west New South Wales.

Ian has been an educator for 27 years, beginning his teaching career in Gulargambone before working in Coonamble, Tamworth, Nundle and Quirindi. He was the Teaching Principal at Nundle Public School prior to his appointment as Principal of Quirindi High School.

Ian lives in Nundle on an 1800 acre farm with his wife, Nicola, also a teacher. Their children, Jackson and Ella, are proud products of the public education system, having attended the schools where their parents teach.

As an experienced educator and school leader, Ian understands the all consuming nature of the role and the impact it can have on wellbeing.

Ian participated in the latest season of ABC’s Muster Dogs with his dog, Buruma  “dog” or “tame dog” in Kamilaroi. The experience provided an opportunity  for him to be involved in an intensive nine month journey training a working dog. Throughout the process, Ian was filmed for the series, which reached an Australian audience of approximately 3.5 million viewers.

The experience deepened Ian’s understanding of genuine disconnection from work and its positive impact on overall wellbeing, even while navigating the vulnerability of being publicly critiqued on a national platform.