Together is better. Education is a team sport. Schools and learning organisations in any context, anywhere, know that creating the enabling conditions for teams to thrive impacts positively on performance and outcomes. No matter where you sit in an education ecosystem, highly effective teams nourish our intrinsic motivation to perform at our best, and go the extra mile as we work on something that is collectively important, valued, and meaningful to all of us.
At ACEL we see this at national board level where diverse perspectives and incredible experience and expertise are brought to bear to lead an organisation with deep responsibility and thoughtful action; in our branches as presidents and executives focus on serving their communities, nuanced and in context with a great sense of professional generosity creating opportunities to learn with and from each other; and in our national team including consultants, sub- committees and editorial boards, who take personal pride and care in the way they communicate, engage, respond, and deliver in service to the profession.
This collaborative connectedness and contribution are evidenced in the efficacy of the work of these numerous teams, through highly regarded publications, conferences, professional learning opportunities and branch activities. Importantly we are strategically seeding collaborative initiatives like our new early learning leadership strategy. While ACEL has been engaged in supporting leaders in the early years for some time, recently we have been seeking ways to address an underserved area in leadership development particularly in schools. Our Inclusion and Disability Conference is a standout in our professional learning calendar. This year’s conference, Leading an Inclusive Culture through Engagement and Wellbeing, will be held in Darwin in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Education from 30 to 31 May. It is well timed to support schools and communities in their local contexts as they consider and implement the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission and lead for inclusion and equity. Please keep a look out also for ACEL’s National Conference: Reimagining Education: A Future Beyond Boundaries that will take place in Adelaide from 30 September to 2 October. Partnering with the South Australian Department of Education, the conference promises to be an exciting professional learning activity where we can collectively navigate the complexities of our world and consider the transformative role that educators play in shaping the future.
We have a wonderful selection of articles in this issue focusing on the theme of “leading effective teams.” Our lead paper by Andy Hargreaves and Cameron Jones sets the scene well. They discuss a case study of a school in Canada that was part of an innovative project designed to improve engagement and wellbeing among students. The article concludes with some relevant lessons for leaders. An interview with Mark Scott, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sydney, provides an insight into the complexities of universities today. He also reflects on the recent important work he did in his role as Chairperson of the Teacher Education Expert Panel.
A number of the papers in this issue outline practical suggestions for establishing effective teams. Daniel Groenewald shares some of his research findings regarding effective functioning with school leadership teams while Nicholas Conigrave and Josephine Palermo review some of the key literature on teams where they highlight six conditions that are deemed essential for success. Christian van Nieuwerburgh and his colleagues have written a very thoughtful piece that challenges all of us as leaders (and educators) to be more observant and to “notice” what is going on when we work with others. Both Christopher Hudson and Hugh Gundlach, regular writers for AEL, have written informative pieces. Christopher Hudson has developed a useful framework for the operation of successful professional learning communities in schools while Hugh Gundlach makes an argument for applying coaching principles in educational leadership. Our two success stories are particularly inspiring. Niki Moodie describes the core features that make up a strong team culture in her early childhood setting and Maxine Galante recounts the journey taken by staff in her previous primary school who created an innovative, authentic and responsive learning environment for children. Finally, our leadership challenge by Sally Towns underscores the importance of leaders being adaptive given all of the challenges and complexities they face in their work.
Keep an eye out for the next edition of Perspectives written by each of our 2023 New Voice Scholars. You will find an impressive contribution of thought-provoking reflections that give voice to our profession, illuminating the talent and thought leadership that resides within.
As you read this issue of AEL, nominations for ACEL National Awards will be drawing to a close. These prestigious peer-nominated national awards proudly recognise the education profession for the 39th year. Nominations are welcomed from all members of the education community, both ACEL members and non-members. This year the nomination process has been further streamlined to assist in making nominations. No doubt the Awards Committee has a significant task on their hands.