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 and dedicated people who show each and every day that they have courage, generosity, compassion and resilience… teaching is for me”.
As the Queensland Executive for the Australian Council for Educational Leaders we look forward to hosting our 2024 Queensland State Awards Ceremony in August.
During this ceremony we will recognise 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.
As Australia’s premier cross-sector professional association our strength continues to be our connectedness with all in the education community, those who represent the breadth and depth of each sector. Our Queensland award recipients for 2024 are representative of our diversity and work for students in the state system, Catholic and independent schools, professional associations, university teacher education faculties and supporting organisations.
We invite you to join us as recipients are presented amongst colleagues, family and friends with their awards in celebration and well deserved recognition for their outstanding leadership and extraordinary service to education.
ACEL Queensland Awards Ceremony
- Ormiston College, Brisbane
- Tuesday 20 August, 2024.
- 5:00pm – 5:50pm Welcome Reception
- 6:00pm - 8:30pm Awards Ceremony
If you would like to purchase your ticket to this event, REGISTER HERE
ACELQ: What is next?
In seeking insights beyond our profession, we have been in conversation with Greg Ewing, the State Manager Queensland, Australian Institute of Company Directors. Currently under construction is a panel session to be advertised for Term 4 in considering the question, “what is effective governance in schools”. An overwhelming response from colleagues as an opportunity to learn from each other across the sectors represented in ACEL regarding governance in schools, early childhood and tertiary providers.
The intention for this panel session is to address current challenges facing School Boards and Councils, explore the distinction between governance and management, and discuss best practices. Additionally, a sharing of any innovative approaches for composition through recruiting and retaining board members and strategies for productive community relationships. If you would like to contribute to this discussion or provide advice on topics that you would like explored, please email branch.qld@acel.org.au.
Our next Pivotal People evening will be conducted as a combined event and see Gold Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba and Townsville joining together for an in person and interactive live stream session. We will advertise through our ACELQ Linked In and via our ACEL webpage, with the event scheduled for Week 2, Term 4 on Wednesday 9th October.
Our people
In our June Branch News, we began the ritual of sharing through this medium, stories of our colleagues across Queensland. As the association for educators in Australia, we truly are fortunate for the diversity of people that contribute to ACEL Queensland and our profession.
This month we recognise the leadership of Dr Bruce Addison, Deputy Principal (Academic) Brisbane Girls Grammar School. Bruce is an educator who has held a variety of positions in co-educational schools as well as single sex schools, both boys and girls. Currently, Deputy Principal (Academic) at Brisbane Girls Grammar School.
With diversity in his own experiences, he has taught and co-ordinated postgraduate courses in both educational leadership and curriculum at The University of Queensland and has published both nationally and internationally in editor reviewed and peer reviewed journals.
In recent years, Bruce has collaborated on a publication with Professor Frank Crowther AM and Karen Fox, published by Hawker Brownlow (2021) 'Inspiring Hope: Personal Pedagogical Gifts In a World of Standards'.
We truly are fortunate for the wisdom of Bruce and considered perspective as one of his academic, research and practical interests is in the understanding of organisational culture and professional growth on both a micro and macro scale. Bruce is a fellow of ACE and ACELQ, currently serving on the Queensland Branch Executive of the Australian Council of Educational Leaders.
Dr Tania Leach is Deputy Head of School, School of Education at the University of Southern Queensland. The expertise that Tania brings to UniSQ in educational leadership is widely recognised. Her research focuses on the contemporary challenges of system leaders, and what that this means for how we can better support schools and their leaders to achieve whole of system growth. Tania has a particular interest in the interconnection between system and school leadership and the skills and knowledges that are needed to successfully lead systems and schools.
Tania has 18 years of leadership experience across the schooling and university sector, including Associate Dean - LTSS, Principal Education Advisor and Head of School. Her expertise as a system leader was formally acknowledged in 2017 through the Australian Council of Educational Leadership’s Queensland Excellence in Leadership Award. She now works with current leaders, policy makers, and international researchers to highlight the important and complex work of educational leadership today.
Tania’s PhD thesis, awarded by the University of Southern Queensland in 2021, explored the contemporary challenges of system leaders, and what that this means for how we can better support schools and their leaders to achieve whole of system growth. It won the 2022 ‘Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award’ for exceptional academic achievement in advanced studies in educational leadership, as selected by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and the Excellence in Doctoral Research: for achieving the highest possible result for a Higher Degree by Research thesis examination, as selected by the University of Southern Queensland. A member of our Queensland Executive, Tania has previously contributed to the Department of Education in Queensland in the role of Education Project Officer.
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