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 accurately reflect the current state of educational leadership in Australia, but more importantly, because it betrayed a defeatist attitude to shaping the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the next generation of educational leaders.
As educational leaders we hold the unique opportunity and responsibility to shape the future of education by identifying, nurturing, and encouraging the next generation of leaders. By actively seeking out and mentoring promising educators, we can help cultivate their potential and guide them toward leadership roles that will enable them to make a meaningful impact. We are the ones who can build the skills and capabilities of promising future leaders. We are the ones who can influence changes in leadership representation. We are the ones who can contribute to developing a thriving, dynamic educational landscape where diverse talents and perspectives can flourish. I strongly believe that our investment in the development of future leaders, is an investment in the future of education. As leaders, what better legacy can we leave than a resilient, innovative, equipped, aspirational and committed future generation of leaders?
Upcoming Events Update
We have quite a few exciting events coming up over the next few months.
Hot Topic: Building the Innovation Landscape
On Wednesday the 4th of September 2024 (5pm – 7pm) we are holding an interactive Hot Topic with a difference: we’ll use LEGO Serious Play to explore the landscape of innovation in education! Led by Joel Birch from Firebird Learning, this hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-in experience will challenge us to rethink how we create conditions for innovation within our schools and systems. Has the conversation around innovation become stale? It’s time to reignite it by bringing together diverse perspectives and engaging in strategic thinking. You, the experts, will be at the centre of this playful yet serious dialogue, exploring the what-ifs and opportunities that can reshape our educational ecosystem. The event will be hosted by Bloom at St Catherine’s College, attendance is free for ACEL members and $10 for non-members.
REGISTER NOW
ACEL WA Awards
Call for nominations for the ACEL WA 2024 Awards will remain open until this Friday the 6th of September. The awards honour educational leaders (at all levels and from all sectors and systems) who are making a significant contribution to education in Western Australia. We don’t allow people to self-nominate, since we want to encourage other-centredness through ACEL, but that does mean it relies on people like you and me to recognise the excellence and significance in others and nominate them for an award.
This may just be that opportunity where you can help to shape the future generation of educational leaders. There are award categories for teacher leaders, who show great promise, for middle leaders and for senior leaders. The nomination process is not onerous; you have to write a brief statement explaining why your nominee is a deserving candidate for the chosen category. The award winners will be celebrated at this year’s ACEL WA Annual Branch Awards Ceremony on Wednesday the 6th of November 2024. Please help us to honour the current and next generation of educational leaders.
NOMINATE AND LEARN MORE
Educational Leadership Book Club
Our next book club is on in Perth on Thursday the 26th of September from 10am – 12pm. We will be discussing an article from the latest AEL journal (volume 46), ‘Developing high-performing senior leadership teams in schools’ by Daniel Groenewald. Daniel was one of the ACEL WA Branch Executive members before his move to Melbourne, so it is lovely discussing some local WA-based research. Anyone is welcome to attend book club and feel free to bring along other members from your leadership team or aspiring leaders. Just download the article from the AEL journal (or available through the event registration page), read part (or all) of if before we meet and join us for some collegial conversation on the day. We will meet in Perth on the 26th of September and a Margaret River event will also be coordinated for members in the Southwest. Please get in touch with me (president.wa@acel.org.au) if you are interested in joining the Southwest book club and I can connect you with the local crew. Book Club is a free event, but please register here for the Perth event so that we know numbers for catering.
National Conference
The ACEL National Conference is taking place from the 30th of September to the 2nd of October in Adelaide, during the September/October school holidays. If you have never been to an ACEL National Conference, it is a truly uplifting, thought-provoking, professionally-enriching experience where strong bonds are forged across states, sectors, phases and levels of education. The theme for this year is Reimagining Education: a future beyond boundaries. I still remember when I attended my first ACEL national conference. I couldn’t believe there were so many people around the country “speaking my language”, equally passionate about student learning, teacher learning and building significant, purpose-driven school cultures. I felt I had found my tribe. I love the egalitarian nature of ACEL conferences where hierarchies and differences disappear in a joint celebration of the sophistication, hope and significance of the teaching profession. Please follow the link below to find out more about the stellar line-up of speakers at this year’s conference. There will also be a social event for WA attendees on the evening before the start of the conference
REGISTER NOW
Leading Innovation in Education Network
On Tuesday the 22nd of October, 1pm – 4pm, we will be hosting our Term 4 Leading Innovation in Education Network, where different presenters will share with us how they have led improvement, innovation and change in their respective contexts. Speakers for the event are:
- Eleanor Hughes, Principal, Joseph Banks Secondary College
- Adam Selwood, Head of Sport Development and Performance, Perth College
- Jette Oksis, Pedagogical Practice Consultant, Catholic Education WA
- Gaile Racey, Pastoral Care Leader, Hale School
This will be an exciting event, hosted at the new Science Space Academy at Joseph Banks Secondary College, so prepare for some fun suiting up for space. The Leading Innovation Network events are free, but please book your spot or find more information below.
REGISTER NOW.
Why not bring along a future leader to some of our future events?
Have a wonderful day.
Mathilda Joubert
ACEL WA Branch President