Dear ACEL Members,
I hope you had the opportunity to attend the ACEL National Conference in Adelaide this week. It was a remarkable event, sold out and filled with engaging discussions and insight. As Associate Professor, Glenn Savage noted, this is the premier educational leadership conference in Australia. A huge thank you must go to ACEL CEO, Dr Barbara Watterston, and the amazing ACEL team she leads. The work they do behind the scenes is incredible to deliver a truly outstanding event.
During the conference, Michael Murphy, a member of the ACEL SA Branch, captured and recorded interviews from the various presenters, and we look forward to sharing these highlights with you in the coming months.
Several themes emerged, but one that particularly resonated was the importance of curiosity. Martin Westwell emphasized how fostering curiosity in the classroom can positively impact students educational outcomes as evidenced in the 2022 PISA maths results.
In her William Walker Oration, Dr. Sandra Peter, Director of Sydney Executive Plus and Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School, spoke about the challenges ahead for educational leaders in what she believes will be a decade of disorientation. Her closing message was clear, to thrive in this evolving landscape, we must remain curious. She highlighted the characteristics of a curious leader:
- Asks insightful questions
- Experiments with new ideas
- Is intellectually omnivorous
- Builds meaningful relationships
- Commits to lifelong learning
As we approach Term 4 and the busy months ahead, I encourage you to embrace your curiosity. It can be a powerful tool as we navigate the challenges of educational leadership together.
Kind regards,
Martyn Anderson
ACEL SA Branch President