Well, February just flew by, didn’t it?! The start of the year is such a busy time, and the days seems to just pass in the blink of an eye. Here at ACEL WA, February saw us hold our first event of the year with our Innovation in Education meetup held last Thursday at Bloom UWA, and I must say - What an event! Despite the busyness of this time of year, and the parking challenges on the day, we had a fantastic turnout to listen to some absolutely amazing speakers.
During the session, and after, I had two words swilling around my head – hope and optimism. Whilst the narrative online and in the news in relation to education can, at times, be a little bit of doom and gloom, this wonderful 2 hours spent in the company of incredibly passionate educators and leaders left me feeling that the future of education truly is in the best of hands.
Lisa Longman from Bloom opened by sharing about AI capabilities and the future of education, using AI well as a tool to support learning outcomes, not to replace thinking and shifting our viewpoint from the ‘fears of AI’ to the ‘hopes for AI’. Cameron Thorn and Laura Strentz outlined their work at Young Entrepreneurs Academy WA in advocating, connecting and empowering educators to equip students with the ability to be entrepreneurial and transform ideas and opportunities into value for others. Marie Martin shifted the conversation to the early years and described SchemaPlay and how an understanding of schemes and learning through free-flow play helps students develop strong foundational understandings via appropriate and engaging learning experiences. Michelle Lloyd from Our Lady of Grace School then took us from NOW to WOW! by sharing a story of how their school has reimagined case management with a ‘children first process’ that all staff have ownership of. Myles Draper, principal of Fremantle College, rounded out the session by highlighting the importance of taking student learning outside the classroom, away from the books and screens, and ensuring students are participating in authentic, experiential learning that means they remember their school days as the ‘best experience they could possibly have’.
These were 5 diverse topics with a common thread. They all had an optimistic outlook on our ability as educators to make a positive difference to the lives of others, whatever our context and whomever our students are. Whilst we may not be able to apply something we learnt from each session to our context, if we add just a splash of optimism and a spoonful of hope to what we do, then I believe, like all these educators, we can continue to ‘be the difference’ in the lives of others.
The presentation is available here for any who are interested.
COMING SOON: Register for our ACEL WA Hot Topic Event: Next Gen. Leaders - An Evening of Conversation with Emerging Leaders
Embracing challenges and seizing opportunities on the journey from teacher to leader…
Are you an educator considering leadership, or perhaps you’re already on the journey and would love some insights from those who have recently walked the path.
Join us for a dynamic panel conversation, facilitated by MC extraordinaire, Gary Racey (Director of Operations (PK-12) at Perth College and ACEL WA Vice President), who will explore the challenges, opportunities, and real-life experiences of educators as they have stepped from the classroom into leadership roles. They’ll tackle your big questions and share the struggles, the wins, the surprises, and strategies for success.
🔹 What to expect:
✅ Honest conversations about the highs and lows of leadership
✅ Practical advice for stepping into leadership with confidence
✅ Insights on how to navigate common challenges and seize new opportunities
✅ A chance to ask YOUR burning questions!
🔹 Who you’ll hear from:
🎤 Emma Cross, Associate Lecturer, Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and Educational Studies - Curtin University
🎤 Jessica Milne, Director of Environmental Education, Emmanuel Catholic College
🎤Oliver Oeij, College Deputy Principal - Providence Christian College
🎤Phil Wass, Director - WA Space Science Education Centre at Joseph Banks Secondary College
📅 Wednesday 19th March, 5-7pm | Drinks, nibbles and collegial conversations to follow the panel discussion
📍 Dayton Primary School (290 Arthur St, Dayton) or Online via Teams
💰 Cost to Attend: Free for ACEL members, $10 for non-members
📌 Save your spot now!
💡 Got questions? Submit them in advance via email to president.wa@acel.org.au or bring them to the discussion!
Save the Date
ACEL WA Book Club – Thursday 24th April 10am-12pm: Venue TBC Book - Teach Brilliantly by James Nottingham
New ACEL WA Members
We want to extend a warm welcome to our new (or reinstated) ACEL members in WA who joined this past month - we look forward to connecting with you this year and hope to see you at an event soon.
- Bradley Hall – John Paul College
- Georgia Gratteri – John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
- Keith Nocholas – John Paul College
- Beth Alibegovia – Ocean Reef Senior High School
- Shelley Rowell - John Septimus Roe Anglican Community School
- Linda Archer – Iona Presentation College
Thank you for joining our community (or rejoining!) and we encourage you to invite your colleagues to be part of this fabulous group of passionate and dedicated educators and leaders.
Awards Nominations 2025
As you would have seen in recent communications, ACEL has opened the annual call for nominations for our prestigious peer-nominated Annual Awards and New Voice Scholarships, proudly recognising the education profession for the 40th 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, with both National and Branch award nominations being requested concurrently.
We at ACEL WA are calling for nominations for our Annual Awards (the ceremony which is a highlight of our WA event calendar!) - closing on Wednesday 26 March 2025.
Feedback has demonstrated the profound impact that receiving an award has had on many past awardees. Please consider nominating a colleague below.
NOMINATE FOR NATIONAL AWARDS
NOMINATE FOR WA BRANCH AWARDS
NOMINATE FOR NEW VOICE SCHOLARSHIP
ACEL WA Executive Team Spotlight – Jette Oskis
It’s time to introduce you to the second of our ACEL WA executive members, with our spotlight shining on Jette Oksis, a Team Leader at Catholic Education WA, who joined our ACEL WA team at the start of this year. Jette’s profile is below and she has shared her thoughts on a coaching approach for leadership.
READ A Coaching Approach for Leadership by Jette Oksis
A big thank you to Jette for sharing her thoughts with us all – it’s likely we all have been guilty of being an ‘advice monster’ at times, so this is an important reflection. You can connect with her via socials or email (jette.oksis@cewa.edu.au) if you want to discuss what she has shared.
I hope March is a magnificent month for you all and we look forward to connecting with you at our upcoming events – in particular, the Hot Topic session in a couple of weeks.
As always, I am reachable by email if you have any questions, comments or just want to connect.
Rachael Lehr
ACEL WA Branch President