Blogs and Messages

VIC Branch News: October 2024

By Annette Rome posted 4 days ago
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Over the term break, a number of us attended the Australian Council of Educational Leaders conference where the focus was on the future of education, the future of the profession, and the future of the world under the banner of Reimagining Education . There were many outstanding presentations, and I have no doubt further reflections and copies of presentations will be shared. Professor Alan Finkel (AC)’s provocation, bringing together the impacts of global warming, AI, wavering definitions of ‘truth’ and managing dissonance in a world of different backgrounds, incentives and belief systems, was timely, given current global developments. I am reminded of the ...
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SA Branch News: October 2024

By Martyn Anderson posted 4 days ago
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Dear ACEL Members, I hope you had the opportunity to attend the ACEL National Conference in Adelaide this week. It was a remarkable event, sold out and filled with engaging discussions and insight. As Associate Professor, Glenn Savage noted, this is the premier educational leadership conference in Australia. A huge thank you must go to ACEL CEO, Dr Barbara Watterston, and the amazing ACEL team she leads. The work they do behind the scenes is incredible to deliver a truly outstanding event. During the conference, Michael Murphy, a member of the ACEL SA Branch, captured and recorded interviews from the various presenters, and we look forward to sharing ...
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WA Branch News: October 2024

By Mathilda Joubert posted 4 days ago
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In this newsletter I will share some reflections from the national conference and highlight upcoming events for the rest of the year. National Conference Reflection I have just returned from the ACEL 2024 National Conference – what an experience! The conference theme was Reimagining education, with subthemes reimagining educational leadership; reimagining schooling; reimagining our profession; and reimagining our future and planet. There were so many inspirational speakers, so many new and deepened insights, and so many moments of connection with likeminded educators from across the country, but mostly I am returning overwhelmed with a renewed sense ...
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The Unchanging Truth: Good Teaching Transcends Policy

By Kirsten Macaulay posted 8 days ago
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The Unchanging Truth: Good Teaching Transcends Policy As we reflect on the ever-changing landscape of education in New South Wales, it’s crucial to remember that whilst policies may ebb and flow, the heart of our profession remains steadfast: good teaching positively impacts students. In recent years, we've witnessed a flurry of educational reforms and initiatives sweep across our state. From curriculum overhauls, assessment modifications to directives to teach explicitly, we could succumb to overwhelm by the constant flux. However, amidst this sea of change, we must not lose sight of what matters—the privilege we have of shaping young minds that ...
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Message from the President, Term 3 2024

By Briony Scott posted 06-09-2024
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Welcome to the third issue of AEL for 2024, where we look at a future beyond boundaries, for our students, families, and profession. “Boundaries” is a common word in our vernacular to describe the edge or end of one space or concept and the beginning of another. It is the main prop in science fiction tales, where the protagonist enters unknown worlds, and dangers loom from within every shadow! New frontiers are claimed, new ground is explored, and new lands discovered. For those who are brave enough to leap into the unknown, and clever enough to survive, boundaries are what stand between us and grand adventures! There is another perspective we can ...
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Message from the CEO, Term 3 2024

By Barbara Watterston posted 06-09-2024
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In reflecting on our theme of a future beyond boundaries, we know this is not an either/or proposition constrained by polarities. As we acknowledge and celebrate our 2024 peer nominated ACEL National Awardees and New Voice Scholars, we see in our incredible colleagues where boundaries are not barriers to influence and impact; they are safe places to support, flourish, and grow. We can see in our branch activities where opportunities are underscored by a manifesto to inspire and engage teachers and leaders taking pride in being members of our profession; where relationships extend well beyond the confines of the school grounds; where separation between work life ...
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TAS Branch News: September 2024

By Jacqui Lawless posted 03-09-2024
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The Tasmanian ACEL Awards are a highlight of our ACEL calendar. These awards celebrate excellence across the state, across sectors and across leadership experience. Many thanks to those who took the time to nominate their colleagues and celebrate the work that educational leaders across our state. We are looking forward to celebrating our Tasmanian ACEL Awards on the 12th of September. If you would like to join us at the University Club, please register via the ACEL website. Congratulations to our award recipients for 2024 ACEL TAS Early Career Teacher Leadership Award Nur Athirah Abdul Rahman Michael McTigue Rebekah Morrison-Carr Nikita Walker ...
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WA Branch News: September 2024

By Mathilda Joubert posted 03-09-2024
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I hope that Term 3 is progressing well and that you are looking forward to the upcoming holidays. In this WA newsletter I will share some brief reflections on our role as leaders in shaping the next generation of leaders, followed by some updates on upcoming events and branch activities. I hope to see you at some of these future events. Shaping Future Leaders I recently read quite a cynical message on an education social media page, suggesting to an aspiring leader that it is not worth aspiring to educational leadership positions unless they are the right gender, ethnicity and went to the right school. This saddened me, firstly because this does not ...
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VIC Branch News: September 2024

By Annette Rome posted 03-09-2024
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Do you want to be a Principal? When asked if people want to be a principal, the answer is often either a flat out ‘no’ or ‘not sure’ and rarely does the question receive a resoundingly positive response. Curiously, a fourth cohort exists, believing they should already be a principal (often stating they could do a better job than their current principal). The reality is that principal preparation is a body of knowledge and work that needs to be explored so that one can make an informed decision either way. Often perceptions of principal work can be focussed on the conferences, the lunches, the opportunities, the faithful and devoted EA at one’s beck and call ...
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SA Branch News: September 2024

By Martyn Anderson posted 03-09-2024
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ACEL SA Annual Awards Celebration On Thursday, August 29, ACEL SA hosted a memorable evening at the Sanctuary, Adelaide Zoo, to honour the distinguished winners of the ACEL SA Awards for 2024. The event provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of educators across South Australia. We were delighted to be joined by the Hon. John Gardner, Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Minister for Education, Training, and Skills, as well as Kevin Richardson, a long-time supporter of ACEL and former ‘Alby Jones’ Gold Medal Awardee, who graciously presented the awards. As mentioned in the previous newsletter , our ACEL SA Award Winners ...
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QLD Branch News: September 2024

By Elizabeth Foster posted 03-09-2024
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As the Queensland Branch we are looking forward to connecting with colleagues from other States and Territories at our upcoming National Conference. On Tuesday 20th August, our Australian Council for Educational Leaders Queensland Branch (ACELQ), recognised educational leaders who, in the view of their colleagues, have made a significant contribution to the understanding and practices of the teaching profession and educational leadership. Those who have nurtured and developed the lives of students and enriched the profession by learning with colleagues and contributing to their educational leadership. Please join with us in congratulating our 2024 award recipients. ...
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ACT Branch News: September 2024

By Sandra Darley posted 03-09-2024
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Dear Colleagues, I am very pleased to announce the inaugural ACT Branch Spring event on 30 October 2024 from 4.30 – 6.00 pm at which we will have Danial Pinchas General Manager AITSL lead a networking and workshop event for educational leaders in the ACT. I look forward to seeing you at our Conference in Adelaide and at our ACT Branch event in October. Strengthening middle leadership: Discover the new AITSL Professional Standards for Middle Leaders Middle leaders play a crucial role in educational leadership. Join us for a networking workshop event to unpack the new AITSL Professional Standards for Middle Leaders and how they assist you to lead ...
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Middle Leaders in Schools

By David Gurr posted 28-08-2024
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Middle Leaders in Schools I have been emersed in thinking about middle leaders in schools recently. In August, the Educational Leadership group at the Faculty of Education (University of Melbourne) hosted a two-day workshop that brought together many of the major Australasian researchers focussed on middle leaders. During this meeting we discussed the recently launched AITSL (2024) professional standards for middle leaders, and three important new survey instruments focussed on middle leaders. At the workshop we considered all of these as they provide clarity for educators and researchers about the work of middle leaders. Brief descriptions of these follow ...
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ACT Branch News: August 2024

By Sandra Darley posted 01-08-2024
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Dear Colleagues, I hope this Newsletter finds you well especially those who returned to school last week following the mid Semester break. I am very pleased to say that momentum is building around the National Conference Reimagining Education: A future beyond boundaries in Adelaide with many delegates attending from the ACT. This is a great tribute to our membership and to the confidence that members have in the quality of our ACEL conferences as professional learning and networking opportunities. Please continue to promote the National Conference with both colleagues who are members and non members. The ACEL Executive are meeting on ...
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VIC Branch News: August 2024

By Annette Rome posted 31-07-2024
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The voice of the profession. If I had a dollar for every person that wanted ‘a seat at the table’, I would be a very rich person. I believe there are few that genuinely deserve a seat – those that demonstrate deep cognitive knowledge, deep relationship/structural knowledge, have an effective empathetic and just view of the past and a constructive, energised view to the future. Folk that are brave and passionate but take the time to become informed and deeply reflective. I witnessed through my involvement with the disability sector. Competing voices that trumpet dissent, result in no movement at all. A concrete example of this was the push for the ...
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SA Branch News: August 2024

By Martyn Anderson posted 31-07-2024
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Dear ACEL SA Branch, I hope you’ve had a fantastic start to the new term. I am delighted to announce the recipients of the ACEL SA awards for 2024: ‘Alby Jones’ Gold Medal Award Anne Dunstan ACEL SA Fellowship Award Warren Symonds ACEL SA Educational Leadership Medal Cezanne Green Paul Belton Yvette Swaalf ACEL SA Media Award Dr. Deborah Netolicky The Pip Field Emerging Leaders Award Matthew Rotolo We are excited to celebrate these outstanding achievements at our awards ceremony, which will take place at the Sanctuary Adelaide Zoo on Thursday, August 29. We warmly invite all our members to join ...
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QLD Branch News: August 2024

By Elizabeth Foster posted 31-07-2024
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We understand that our role as leaders in education is one of influence, motivation and enabling others to contribute to the success of our communities. This year we have been encouraged by the initiative of our colleagues who seek connections beyond their immediate professional network, via ACEL Queensland. An early career teacher at a recent Queensland University of Technology conference reminded us of the importance of these connections, in joining our profession he was contemplating “ the opportunity to make a significant difference for others and being in this together, “why would I do anything else when I can work with a group of unbelievably talented ...
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How professionals work and learn in digitalised work contexts

By Sue Bryen posted 31-07-2024
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How professionals work and learn in digitalised work contexts Technology is increasingly shaping the way educators carry out their day-to-day work, but the extent to which technology is shaping how educators work and learn is not yet fully understood. The Australian Research Council (ARC) began a research project in 2022 to investigate how Education and Health professionals in Australia learn as they work in increasingly digitalised work contexts. (Agostinho, S., et al., 2024) ACEL was one of the partner organisations that developed and distributed the survey to its members between August and November 2022. Phase 1 of this discovery project has now been ...
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WA Branch News: July 2024

By Mathilda Joubert posted 04-07-2024
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Reflections on Rest, Recuperation, and Refreshment Dear WA Education Leader We are currently in the middle of the school holidays, and I found myself reflecting on the importance of three Rs – not Reading Writing and Arithmetic, but Rest, Recuperation and Refreshment. I believe these three Rs are vital, not only for students but also for educators and leaders, the driving force behind our educational institutions. In the relentless pursuit of excellence, it's easy to overlook the essential need to pause and recharge, so here are my brief reflections on the matter. Rest: Reclaiming Balance The four school terms are a series of high energy ...
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ACEL Inclusion and Disability Conference

By Charlotte Forwood posted 02-07-2024
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A visit to specialist school, Henbury School, prior to the ACEL Inclusion and Disability Conference in Darwin in May, provided a glimpse of what inspirational leadership can achieve, especially for those with a disability. I met with two of the school’s Northern Territory Learning Commissioners, Aidan and Hannah who proudly explained the role and its impact on them and their school. Student leadership was seeded in the NT with the NT Learning Commission set up to provide students with a vehicle for student voice and agency. I later heard Hannah speak with confidence and conviction at the conference in her role as one of the 18 students in the NT Peak Voice ...
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