ACEL VIC: Leading Regenerative Learning
Imagine a school that helps build the capacity of young people to embrace complexity, engage with diversity, and develop compassionate, collaborative responses to real-world challenges.
This provocation will explore educational leadership as a compassionate, regenerative practice that nurtures renewal, adaptation, and innovation in schools. At a time where an epidemic of student mental health issues, teacher shortages, and burnout among school leaders converge with the broader challenges of climate change, inequity, and community polarisation, this interactive session presents a hopeful approach to transforming leadership in our schools.
In the session, we will explore the application of tools and practices from the fields of systems thinking, social-emotional learning, and social activism to the leadership of learning and wellbeing. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their leadership and explore the possibilities offered by regenerative, systemic approaches to leadership for their practice. A highlight of the session will be the practical exploration of case studies of innovation from Woodleigh School and the Woodleigh Institute.
Speaker – Dr Richard Owens
Dr. Richard Owens is the Director of the Woodleigh Institute, a global innovation lab dedicated to understanding and enhancing transformative approaches to learning and leadership. The institute has a special interest in regenerative learning and the role it can play in building the capacity of young people to contribute to the thriving of people, places, and our planet. He is also a member of the school leadership team at Woodleigh School.
Richard has over 30 years of experience in teaching, senior leadership, and innovation roles. He has previously served as a teacher, curriculum coordinator, university lecturer, Deputy Head, and Head of School, and was the founding director of an international centre for leadership and learning in Singapore. He has worked with teachers, school administrators, academics, and system leaders from Australia, Asia, North and South America, and Europe.
Richard is the Convenor of ReimaginED, a unique nomadic festival of learning in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to exploring and shaping the emerging futures of education. He is also the Regional Lead for the Center for Systems Awareness in Australia, a global, community-based organisation focused on compassionate systems change.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday 26th June 2025
Time: 5:00-6:00pm
Venue: Mentone Girls Secondary College - 175 Balcombe Rd, Mentone VIC 3194
Cost (incl. GST): ACEL members: $10 Non-ACEL members: $20
Please see the ACEL Events & Programs Terms and Conditions here