Another year has hurtled along almost in the blink of an eye, it seems. Hopefully you’re in the process of wrapping up the year; some might already have done so. In the midst of this flurry, it’s good to stop and reflect on what 2024 has given you.
Perhaps this has been the first year you’ve been part of ACEL, or re-engaged with ACEL through our activities and online resources. Thanks for being part of our community; we really appreciate your contribution to the profession’s leading voice. At a time when there seems plenty of naysayers about the future of education, we're glad you’re part of a community which sees possibility, opportunity, and hope. The New South Wales Executive met recently to plan our 2025 activities, and we are going into new territory – we aim to hold a number of events in regional areas in an endeavour to bring together colleagues across the state, not just in the greater Sydney area. We’ll also host a visit in February from a dear friend of ACEL’s, Professor Andy Hargreaves. Stay tuned in the new year for more details.
Perhaps this year was the first ACEL National Conference you attended, or you’ve come back after a few years’ break. The National Board recently reviewed the feedback from this year’s conference held in Adelaide and it was overwhelmingly positive, with many respondents saying they felt it one of the best they’ve ever attended! Congratulations to all who participated, and to the South Australian Branch for hosting us. 2025 gives New South Wales the opportunity to build on this wonderful experience, as we will be hosting the conference in Sydney. Stay tuned in the new year for more details.
Perhaps you celebrated with colleagues through the New South Wales ACEL Awards, one of the highlight events of 2024 for the Branch. More than 100 colleagues, family, and friends came together to honour those whose impact across early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary education is given due acknowledgement. In the crowded landscape that has become the world of “awards”, the high esteem in which ACEL Awards are held is due, in part, to the confidential and rigorous peer nomination and review processes involved; there are no others like it across the nation. A major review of awards by the National Board this year will see some minor changes for New South Wales, most significantly in an earlier call for nominations to take place around March. Start thinking now about leaders whose work is deserving of this important acknowledgement. Stay tuned in the new year for more details.
Perhaps this year brought you new opportunities, or a chance to shift gears, or a complete change of focus. Maybe your team acquired some new members, or some moved on and you spent time and energy recalibrating your work. Or maybe all those things stayed the same and you found yourself reimagining how you can do your work more sustainably by caring for yourself as well as caring for those entrusted to your care. Whatever was your experience, hopefully the summer break will be an opportunity to step back, to rest, to recharge, perhaps even refocus. Now it’s time to tune out for a little bit, as and when you can.
Finally, take the opportunity to be grateful for your colleagues, and let them know this. The New South Wales Branch Executive have again given their time and expertise above and beyond their busy professional lives. On behalf of the Branch, the largest across Australia, thank you to Sue Bryen, Amanda Conray, Dr Simon Crook, Rhonda Kaidbay, Larissa Maraga, Kirsten Macaulay, Brenda Quayle, Corinna Robertson, and Vicki Treble. Special thanks go to Greg Whitby who stepped down from the Executive last month following many years of distinguished service to the Branch.
I trust you all have a safe and refreshing break. Onwards towards 2025!
Paul Kidson
ACEL NSW Branch President