It's a very mixed moment writing this newsletter, my final as NSW Branch President. Last week I notified the National Board Chair, Liz Foster, and our NSW Executive that a combination of family and work matters have altered the time and energy available for this work, at least in the foreseeable future. I’m delighted that Corinna Robertson has agreed, with the endorsement of the Branch Executive, to hold the position until the elections later in the year.
The elections are an opportunity for wider members of the Branch to consider serving in a strategic leadership role for the Association. Perhaps you might consider responding to the call for nominations when they come later in the year.
And while on nominations, our Branch and National Awards opened recently and we are currently calling for nominations for both. Please check out the links above and give consideration to nominating those whose leadership is having positive impact. There are a range of categories at both Branch and National level, so there are plenty of opportunities.
ACEL awards remain the most distinguished and respected across the nation because of the process involved in their discernment. They are peer nominated and reviewed against explicit and detailed criteria that focus on leadership that makes an impact. One of the joys of being President is to call a number of the winners to advise them of their award, and their response is always one of gratitude and deep appreciation for the generosity of those who nominated – plus, it’s always a confidential nomination process, which gives it an added sense of value to recipients.
In the shadow of these positive opportunities, geopolitical issues of the last 72 hours have again altered our world. These are challenging times for our globe, and our nation, and arguably the role of optimistic and generous educational leaders grows in its importance. The opening last week of the Royal Commission into the horrors of what took place in Bondi are another reminder that social, community, relational, and human priorities remain paramount concerns in our educational leadership work.
Thanks for your willingness to continue leading through these challenging times. To Corinna and the Branch Executive, thanks for the support both to this point, and in this moment; it’s much appreciated. Thanks also to our National Board, especially Liz Foster, our Chair, and to CEO Lisa Newland for helping manage this transition process. ACEL NSW and nationally is in excellent hands.
I’ll continue to be an active supporter of ACEL, but this season means it needs to alter its current form. I look forward to future opportunities when the time is right.