Blogs and Messages

Message from the CEO, Term 1 2026

posted 3 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Lisa Newland, CEO, Australian Council for Educational Leaders Bold leadership in action: The attitude that says "we can" The opening edition of Australian Educational Leader this year invites us into a timely conversation about the purpose and meaning of schools—and the role leadership plays in shaping that purpose. Across this edition, a clear message emerges — leadership matters not because it holds authority, but because it creates the conditions for learning, belonging, and flourishing. So what does it take to lead boldly right now? Bold leadership is sometimes misunderstood as being loud, forceful, or heroic. Yet the kind ...
0 comments

Message from the President, Term 1 2026

posted 3 days ago
1 person recommends this.
The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) stands as a community in which we find our professional home. We are a place in which we can learn, challenge one another, grow and collectively advance our profession. ACEL is more than an organisation; it is a living network of educators committed to transformative learning. As we welcome new members, we extend not just an invitation to join, but an invitation to belong and contribute to the collective wisdom that resides within our community. As leaders in education, we understand that our future is not created or designed in isolation yet enabled by the collective wisdom of communities committed to learning ...
1 comment

Message from the President, Term 1 2026

posted 4 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Liz Foster, (BEd, FACELQ) The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) stands as a community in which we find our professional home. We are a place in which we can learn, challenge one another, grow and collectively advance our profession. ACEL is more than an organisation; it is a living network of educators committed to transformative learning. As we welcome new members, we extend not just an invitation to join, but an invitation to belong and contribute to the collective wisdom that resides within our community. As leaders in education, we understand that our future is not created or designed in isolation yet enabled by the collective wisdom ...
0 comments

Message from the CEO, Term 1 2026

posted 4 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Lisa Newland, CEO, Australian Council for Educational Leaders Bold leadership in action: The attitude that says "we can" The opening edition of Australian Educational Leader this year invites us into a timely conversation about the purpose and meaning of schools—and the role leadership plays in shaping that purpose. Across this edition, a clear message emerges — leadership matters not because it holds authority, but because it creates the conditions for learning, belonging, and flourishing. So what does it take to lead boldly right now? Bold leadership is sometimes misunderstood as being loud, forceful, or heroic. Yet the kind ...
0 comments

QLD Branch News: March 2026

posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
It is hard to believe that Term One is well over halfway. Such is the rhythm of our school year. On Friday 20 March, ACELQ is hosting an early career teacher breakfast at Allan Border Oval commencing at 7.00 am. Our theme is the beauty and joy of teaching . We hear so much about the attrition rate of our early career teachers we wanted to host a function in which we could celebrate and affirm our new colleagues within the context of ACEL’s collegial, cross-sectoral community. As we all remember, the flight to professional maturity usually commences once a new teacher is placed in their first staffroom. It is here that professional practice begins ...
0 comments

SA Branch News: March 2026

posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Dear ACEL SA, I hope the year has begun positively for you. One of the many strengths of ACEL is our shared commitment to celebrating the profession and recognising the outstanding leadership that exists across our state. Each year, you have the opportunity to acknowledge colleagues who are making a significant impact by nominating them for both the ACEL SA State Awards and the ACEL National Awards. These awards shine a light on the innovation, dedication, and excellence that characterise educational leadership in South Australia. As a profession, we are sometimes hesitant to pause and celebrate the exceptional work happening around us. Yet these ...
0 comments

Using data wisely: A workshop with Professsor Alex Bowers

posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
Using data wisely: A workshop with Professsor Alex Bowers Educational organisations in Australia and elsewhere are awash with data. However, turning data into useful information which may inform policy and practice is not easy and not often done. There are also cautions about data and just because we can collect data and link it together and analyse it in ways not possible in the past, is not a reason to do so unless you are sure it makes sense and you can mitigate the unintended consequences that can arise. When My School began in January 2010 there was a lot of concern about the positive and negative impacts it might have. I remember an article ...
0 comments

NSW Branch News: March 2026

posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
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 ...
0 comments

WA Branch News: March 2026

posted 10 days ago
Be the first person to recommend this.
What Have You Dumped This Year? Reflections on Leadership, Courage and Clearing the Way Last week, a group of educational leaders rose early to join the ACEL WA executive team for a delicious breakfast overlooking the picturesque Mount Lawley golf course. It was not the food or the view that urged leaders to start the day much earlier than typical, but the opportunity to hear from our Minister for Education, The Honourable Sabine Winton, alongside system leaders Annette Morey (Executive Director, CEWA), Steve Watson (Deputy Director General – Schools, DoE) and Kris Stafford (Director Curriculum & Pedagogy, AISWA). While the coffee was hot and strong, ...
0 comments

Generative AI briefing for teachers

posted 11-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
We are delighted to share an exciting new chapter for ACEL with the announcement of our partnership with the University of Sydney—a collaboration that brings timely, high-impact opportunities for our members and subscribers. This partnership includes free Generative AI sessions for educators , alongside the upcoming AI Fluency Sprint and the micro-credentialled AI Dexterity course. Together, these offerings respond directly to the realities facing today’s leaders and educators, building confidence, capability and ethical fluency in the use of AI in education. The first session begins on Wednesday, 18 February 2026 . Secure your place now for these brief 30-minute ...
0 comments

NSW Branch News: February 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Welcome back to a new academic year. By now, most students are back to school, although some in the far western parts of the state still have a few more days before they start. For some teachers, it’s already been a few weeks since rolling out of bed into those first few professional learning days. For leaders, some have already clocked up even more days than that. Early childhood educators and many tertiary educators have already been back for quite a few weeks, too. Whatever the rhythm of the start to your year, I trust you’ve been able to find time to refresh and recharge over the summer. It’s certainly a gift to be able to do so, and yet while time to ...
0 comments

QLD Branch News: February 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
New Beginnings: The Hope of a New Year Another year is off and running. This quote always speaks to me at the start of another academic year. “...and suddenly you know … it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings”. (Meister Eckhart) In 2026, Eckhart’s sentiments are particularly prescient. They give permission to pause, focus and rethink. Schools are, by their very nature, places of new beginnings. Every new year provides opportunities for a restart with opportunity, optimism and possibility. Lingard, Hayes, Mills and Christie (2003), in their book Leading Learning , described leadership in schools as ...
0 comments

Tracing the Through-Line: Focus, Coherence and Improvement at Dayton

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Over the recent holiday break, and as I often do, I immersed myself in reading. While many were non-fiction, several were educationally focussed. One of these being ‘The Pruning Principle’ by Dr Simon Breakspear and Michael Rosenbrock 's (2024). This was a second read for me to ensure that the content was fresh for an ACELWA Book Club conversation that took place in late January. While reading the book, I found myself making connections to two other books I have read, Viviane Robinson 's (2018) ‘Reduce Change to Increase Improvement (2018) and Peter DeWitt, Ed.D. 's (2022) De-implementation: Creating the Space to Focus on What Works’ ...
0 comments

WA Branch News: February 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Start Strong & Set the Conditions for a Successful Year Ahead Hello all! It is a little late in the year to say ‘Happy New Year’ or ‘Welcome Back’ as I know many of you have been ‘back on deck’ for many weeks! That said, this is the first ACEL WA newsletter for 2026, so I will say I hope your year has started well and let you know that I am excited about a new year of possibilities and I look forward to connecting with members (new and old) this year. In my role as a school leader (Associate Principal) at Dayton Primary School, I have focused on ‘Starting Strong in 2026’ with our team, with a relentless focus on things that matter most - being warm ...
0 comments

VIC Branch News: February 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Welcome to ACEL Victoria in 2026 A warm welcome to all as another school year starts. I am always surprised by what can change over a break, and this time, sadly, was no exception. Within hours of the school break commencing, our country was witness to one of the most awful attacks of modern times on our soil. While many better thinkers and writers than I will reflect on these events, I wanted to reemphasise that our education community will operate consistently to support the safety and well-being of all our young people. Schools bear a huge responsibility to determine a culture that is based on respect for all. We are charged with ensuring, as best we can, ...
0 comments

SA Branch News: February 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Dear ACEL SA, I hope the year has begun well for you and that you found time over summer to rest and recharge. As we begin 2026, ACEL South Australia is delighted to share our first professional learning opportunities for the year. Building on the success of our inaugural ACEL SA Breakfast in 2025, we are pleased to welcome Dr Shyam Barr on Friday 13 March for a session exploring the relationship between AI, student agency, and self‑regulated learning. Dr Barr will unpack how AI can both support and challenge independent thinking, and offer practical strategies for leveraging AI to strengthen rather than replace students’ self‑regulation skills. The breakfast ...
0 comments

ACT Branch News: January 2026

posted 04-02-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Dear colleagues and friends of ACEL ACT, Welcome to the 2026 school year. As President of the ACT Branch it is a great privilege to contribute to the vision and mission of ACEL and to contribute the critical role this peak organisation plays in harnessing the collective wisdom of our profession in transforming the future and the complex challenges facing educational leaders and the young people we serve in each of our sectors. I am very grateful to the Branch Executive who are so generous with their time in organising local events and activities that serve the educational leadership demands of busy professionals in the ACT. I am heartened by the ...
0 comments

Welcome to 2026!

posted 28-01-2026
Be the first person to recommend this.
Welcome to 2026! As we begin a new year at ACEL, we do so grounded in the strengths that have always defined us: a deep commitment to educational leadership, a powerful national community, and a belief that leadership matters—at every stage and in every context. Building on this strong foundation, we are delighted to share a number of new initiatives designed to support, challenge and connect our members in fresh ways. To help launch into 2026, we are offering a free BOLD LEADER Toolkit , a practical and reflective resource to support leaders navigating complexity with confidence (access it here). We are also excited to share that ACELearn Middle Leaders ...
0 comments

WA Branch News: December 2025

posted 03-12-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
Let Your Leadership SPARKLE: Reflections on My First Year as ACEL WA Branch President As 2025 draws to a close and I complete my first year as ACEL WA Branch President, I’ve found myself looking back with equal parts gratitude, pride and deep reflection (along with a touch of weariness, if I am honest!). This year has been full of stretch moments, luminous learning, unexpected challenges, and most importantly, countless opportunities to see the brilliance of educational leaders across Western Australia. What stands out most for me is not the events, the meetings, or the milestones themselves, but the people and the connections, along with the ...
0 comments

VIC Branch News: December 2025

posted 03-12-2025
Be the first person to recommend this.
2025 was another year of global challenges. Changes in leadership around the world have often heralded inappropriate decisions regarding the purpose of education and reflection on who our ‘masters’ are or should be. At a national level, education continues to be a political football that divides states and territories, sectors and communities. To this end, the strategic decision for ACEL to be more vociferous regarding our role as professionals in this discussion has been welcomed by many at ACEL, and we are excited about the efforts to come that will enable us to play an increased role in education decisions across the country. I know every educator has ...
0 comments