With our State Branch ACELQ Awards for 2024 currently under consideration, we are reminded of the tradition and history associated with these awards. In August we will again recognise a colleague with The Miller-Grassie Award and President’s Citation. In Queensland, this award acknowledges and perpetuates the memory of the life and work of educational researchers and administrators, Dr Laurie Miller and Associate Professor MacCrae Grassie. Nominees are outstanding educational leaders, or a team, whose achievements and influence on policy and, or practice reflect the spirit of the work of these pioneering educational leaders. Dr Laurie Miller and Associate Professor MacCrae Grassie where influential in educational administration in Queensland from the 1970s through to the 1990s.
“I acknowledge that I am a member of a profession that extends to me the opportunity and the privilege to make a positive difference in the lives of young people”.
https://www.acel.org.au/ACELWEB/Branches/QLD/Commitment.aspx
In 2015, the Executive of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders identified that there was no widely known or commonly observed code of professional practice for the teaching profession. The members of the Executive saw a need for a statement of ethically based values; one that could exist concurrently with standards, codes of conduct, and legislative instruments. Development of the Statement was made possible by invaluable contributions from several organisations and individuals, and through consultation with representatives from: Association of Special Education Administrators Queensland, Australian College of Educators (Queensland), Early Childhood Teachers’ Association, Independent Schools Parents’ Network, Independent Schools Queensland, Isolated Children's Parents' Association, Joint Council of Queensland Teachers’ Associations, Parents and Citizens Queensland, Queensland Association of State School Principals, Queensland Catholic Education Commission, Queensland College of Teachers, Queensland Department of Education and Training, Queensland Independent Education Union, Queensland Secondary Principals’ Association, Queensland Teachers’ Union, Queensland University of Technology, University of Queensland, University of Southern Queensland, and University of the Sunshine Coast.
Today, in 2024, more than ever we hope that this statement will inspire and engage teachers to take pride in being members of our teaching profession. The statement can be used formally or informally, at graduation ceremonies, induction ceremonies, celebrations of transitional moments in the careers of early childhood, primary and secondary teachers, or for recommitment to the profession for long serving teachers. It can be used by teacher educators in their work with pre-service students, at the beginning and end of their courses. When using the statement, systems, schools, universities and professional associations may wish to brand the statement with their own identification.
As a branch we will continue to acknowledge the importance of our past whilst looking to the future for ACEL and ACELQ.
Continuing to gather momentum, are our ACEL Queensland Pivotal People forums for stimulating intellectual conversations about topics meaningful to middle leaders. During May our Brisbane Pivotal People team were welcomed by Andree Rice as Principal of Our Lady’s College Annerley who hosted our latest event.
During the afternoon we were joined from colleagues across all sectors in our profession to hear from Melissa Alexander (St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School) and Braydon Giles (St John’s Anglican College) in asking the question whilst considering leadership “Filter, bridge, conduit: How does it really work?”
Our Toowoomba and Darling Downs network continues to offer opportunities for local professional learning and collaboration, including Panel Forums and welcome events. Last week over 50 educational leaders from across the Downs and from Brisbane, gathered for the annual Dinner on the Downs, sharing a highly informative evening with colleagues and guest speaker, Sue Chandler.
We thank Dr Linda Evans, as host Principal at Fairholme College along with our ACEL Queensland team of Donna Stahlhut, Joan Conway, Marty Savage, Tania Leach, Rob Cantle, Tom McCormick, Michael Floyd, James Leach, Susan Carter and Linda Bourke. Particular mention to the students of Fairholme who assisted with the evening, reinforcing for all, the purpose and humanity that exists in our noble profession.
Across the evening Sue Chandler shared her insights in aligning context and evidence-based approaches that have culminated in a range of student care practices linking wellbeing to successful student outcomes, a rigorous dialogue of student achievement, social competence and emotional resilience.
Our People
As the association for educators in Australia, we truly are fortunate for the diversity of people that contribute to ACEL Queensland and our profession. Through this newsletter we look forward to sharing with you stories of our colleagues across Queensland.
Candi Dempster is an outstanding leader with a reputation for her ability to lead rural and regional schools. She is currently Principal of Ryan Catholic College, Townsville, the largest Catholic School in Queensland. Under Candi’s leadership, Columba College and now Ryan have transitioned to schools in high demand with a focus on diversity and improved student performance. Candi leads the Principal’s association in Townsville diocese and mentors new Principals in regional and rural areas.
Adam Kuss is a member of the University of Queensland: Critical Thinking Project and works with schools on implementing teaching for thinking. Previously, working in both Australia and the United Kingdom, Adam has been a Head of Department for Mathematics, Junior Secondary, Pedagogy and most recently a Deputy Principal. Adam is currently completing his PhD thesis on the effects of school leadership culture on pedagogical change for thinking. Adam introduced Philosophy and was a founding member of the Cavendish Road SHS Academy of Ideas, an excellence program designed to promote thinking and collaborative learning. The Program was awarded the Education Queensland Showcase Award for Excellence in Secondary. During May Adam presented at The Brisbane Cricketer’s Club on the topic: Understanding leadership culture and your professional practice.
Thank you for your time and continued commitment to our profession, for your leadership. As the Queensland Branch, we enjoy the role we play as our professional association that connects learning, insights and experiences shared across our state and all sectors in education.
If you have questions or if we can be of any other assistance, please contact our Branch by email: branch.qld@acel.org.au
Liz Foster
ACEL QLD Branch President