COVID 19: Legal Updates for Schools
While closing the gates for most students may have addressed the health concerns of schools, students and parents, it’s important to realise that moving to online learning and keeping your school afloat does not mean legal obligations are reduced or changed although it may require a re-imagination of some.
Description
This webinar series has been created to bring you information on key legal issues confronting school leaders during these uncertain times.
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Register for all sessions or any combination of these 1 and 2 hour sessions. And remember;
ü There will be the ability to ask questions at the conclusion of each session via the online question portal.
ü As well as online attendance, all delegates will receive recordings of each of the sessions after the webinar that can be viewed again at any time or shared with other colleagues.
ü One registration will allow for multiple people from your school to attend the webinar.
Session 1
Thursday, 30 April 2020
12.00pm to 2.00pm
Workplace Health and Safety
As we progress through the turbulence caused by the pandemic, fulfilling our Work Health and Safety obligations in the workplace requires the application of established principles and practices in new and challenging circumstances. This practical and interactive webcast will examine the key WHS issues that are impacting educational workplaces during the pandemic, and explore down-to-earth strategies to address familiar obligations during these unfamiliar times.
Chair: Dr Steven Middleton, Head of Berwick Grammar School
12.00pm to 12.05pm: Opening Comments by the Chair: Supporting Students Working Remotely
Presented by Dr Steve Middleton, Head of Berwick Grammar School
12.05pm to 1.55pm: Work Health and Safety Considerations in Schools During the Pandemic: Practical Application of the Law in New and Challenging Circumstances
- Explore employer and employee duties and obligations during unconventional teaching/learning arrangements
- Working from home: risk assessment, communication, conduct and performance
- Examine mental health considerations: coping with isolation, uncertainty and anxiety
- Explore likely challenges in the workplace post-pandemic: re-transitioning to campus-based learning, physical distancing, hygiene, flexible working arrangements
Presented by Tracey Jessie, Principal, Jessie Lawyers
1.55pm to 2.00pm Final Q&A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Testimonials:
Really engaging
Fantastic, great to have someone with education experience
Logical and practical
Engaging and realistic
For Teachers:
Attend and earn 2 CPD points (QLD, WA, SA)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of CPD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining teacher registration
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
Attend and earn 2 Professional Development Hours (NSW)
Completing this conference will contribute 1 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority PD addressing 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW
Attend and earn 2 hours of PD (VIC)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of PD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining
Proficient Teacher registration in Victoria.
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
For Lawyers:
Attend and earn 2 CPD units in Substantive Law
Presenters
Tracey Jessie
In 2015 Tracey Jessie established Jessie Lawyers, a new generation law firm that provides affordable legal services with integrity, excellence and client-centered focus. Tracey has 17 years’ experience in employment law and has been a partner in national and state law firms. Before studying law Tracey was a teacher and principal within Education Queensland.
Dr Steve Middleton
Dr Steven Middleton is currently the Head of Berwick Grammar School, an emerging independent school for boys in Melbourne’s outer south east. Over the past two decades Dr Middleton has worked in a variety of leadership roles in various independent schools in both Sydney and Melbourne including The King’s School, Knox Grammar School, Carey Baptist Grammar, Brighton Grammar and Haileybury College. Dr Middleton has a passion for student growth and development, his Doctoral Thesis from The University of Melbourne focused on leadership and character education for adolescents. Steve has written and presented extensively on issues of school culture, strategic leadership, student well-being and achievement in recent years.
Cecelia Irvine-So
Cecelia is aPractice Leader and commercial lawyer specialising in privacy, regulatory compliance and education law. Cecelia is in demand not only from clients, but also from industry bodies seeking her expertise for speaking engagements, training and contributions to boards and advisory groups. As well as being editor in chief of Portner Press’ Data Privacy Report, Cecelia holds two specialist accreditations. In her role as a leader at Moores, Cecelia has represented the firm in corporate fundraising. Cecelia’s demeanour is always professional, but with the slightest edge of quirky humour which makes Cecelia an engaging advisor and speaker.
Brett Heath
Brett Heath is In-House Advocate at Carter Newell Lawyers and has specialised in commercial and insurance litigation since 1988. Having worked in-house for a specialist professional liability insurer, Brett now specialises in professional liability and large scale public liability and construction claims. Brett has acted for Architects, Engineers, Naval Architects, Valuers, Loss Adjusters, Real Estate Agents, Property Managers, Property Developers, Insurance Brokers, Travel Agents, Business Brokers, Customs Agents, Divisions of General Practice, Information Technology companies and large religious institutions in the District Court, the Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit Court, the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia. In addition, Brett provides advice to underwriters and insureds with respect to policy construction and interpretation. Brett has also prepared, attended and conducted numerous mediations before highly accredited professional mediators, has appeared as advocate in applications and trials in the Magistrates Court, District Court, Federal Court and Supreme Court and has extensive experience involving litigation in the District Court, the Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Australia. Brett is a regular and sought after speaker on continuing professional development issues, particularly with respect to risk prevention for professionals, developments in insurance law, commercial drafting techniques and mediation and litigation strategies.
Kenton Newall
Kenton has significant experience in a range of professional fields embracing his training as a qualified account and experience in management. He has had roles in various industries as Management Accountant, Operations Director and Chief Financial Officer. Through his own Consultancy business, Kenton offers Business and Management Services working closely with business owners, company directors, business managers, accountants and lawyers. Kenton has extensive experience in not-for-profit sectors and has been able to apply his business experience to assisting the development of educational and charitable organisations. In recent years, Kenton has worked in the Education and Vocational Training sectors, having been both an Executive in a Private Training Organisation and a Business Manager in an Independent College in Adelaide. His current role, as Business Relationship Manager, enables Kenton to combine his various experiences and skills to assist the leadership of Cole School Experts develop their organisation and the support offered to Business Managers and Independent Schools across Australia and New Zealand. Cole School Experts specialise in the provision of professional accounting and consulting services to the non-Government Education Sector. Cole School Experts understands the complexities of the challenges faced by schools’ leadership teams and Cole’s experienced team can provide specific support through a range of resources and services. Kenton has consistently achieved recognition and accolades from the business community for his achievements as a business leader. An instigator of innovation and efficiency, Kenton constantly seeks increased effectiveness of systems and business performance and is passionate about assisting clients achieve those improvements too. Strongly involved in strategic processes and planning, Kenton has proven to be a great asset in these areas. As a great advocate for development of people and relationships, he always strives to promote a positive and productive culture within his workplace, for his clients’ teams and with collaborating Strategic Partners. An avid Christian family man (married with 5 young children, toddler to teenager!!), a stroke-survivor, passionate about holistic health, a lover of the outdoors, a keen CrossFitter, mountain-biker and trail-runner.
Beth Ellerman
Beth Ellerman has a strong history in general management in non government schools, early childhood and tertiary institutions. Whilst her passion is Governance and People and Culture, in her current role as Director of Finance and Operations Manager for Danebank - An Anglican School for Girls, she is responsible for all the non teaching aspects of school life. Beth has served as a director on a number of school and tertiary boards, has started and closed schools and is the Vice President of the Association of School Business Administrators (NSW).
Session 2
Wednesday, 6 May 2020
12.00pm to 2.00pm
Advice for Creating a Child Safe Remote Learning Environment
The combination of remote learning and increased online activity by students is likely to create increased child safety risks. Whilst regulators are expected to announce some flexibility or accommodation in relation to curriculum learning areas, child safety and risk management obligations will not change. Parents have a duty to maintain a safe physical environment, while schools will be required to maintain a safe online environment.
Child Safety: What Changes and What Stays the Same?
- What will Term 2 look like for each state
- Understanding child safety risks
- Setting clear expectations of behavior and complying with reporting requirements
- Monitoring online activity
- Providing parents with appropriate information
Presented by Cecelia Irvine-So, Practice Leader, Moores, Accredited Specialist Commercial Law
Testimonials:
Just the right depth-accessible relevant & practical
Engaging, funny & informative
For Teachers:
Attend and earn 1 CPD points (QLD, WA, SA)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of CPD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining teacher registration
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
Attend and earn 1 Professional Development Hours (NSW)
Completing this conference will contribute 1 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority PD addressing 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW
Attend and earn 1 hours of PD (VIC)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of PD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining
Proficient Teacher registration in Victoria.
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
Session 3
Wednesday 13 May 2020
4.00pm to 5.00pm
The Employment Law Consequences of COVID-19
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, the outbreak has caused schools to consider whether the employment practices currently in place can remain or need to be re-worked. This session provides practical advice with dealing with the key issues employers are facing.
Managing the Employment Law Consequences of COVID-19
- Reducing staff numbers: standing down casual staff, terminating full-time, part-time and contract employees and redundancies.
- Leave requirements during self-isolation
- Can you force a teaching on non-teaching staff to self-quarantine if they appear unwell?
- What if a staff member refuses to come to work, or perform certain duties, due to exposure fears?
- Can you force staff to take annual leave or personal leave?
- Can you request staff to reduce their hours or salary?
- Can you restrict staff travel?
Monday, 25 May 2020
12.00pm to 2.00pm
Contracts and Financial Management
Chair: Beth Ellerman, Director of Finance and Operations, Danebank School
12.00pm to 1.00pm: Can Your School Still Enforce its Commercial Contracts?
The outbreak of COVID-19 has steadily progressed around the globe, disrupting industries and supply chains both domestically and abroad. With companies increasingly unable to comply with their contractual obligations, many schools will be questioning whether the force majeure clauses in their agreements will provide them with a safety net. This session examines how force majeure clauses may be interpreted in the context of a pandemic outbreak, and provides practical advice on what schools should be doing now.
- Identifying whether there is a force majeur clause in a contract and whether it is adequate to cover a pandemic event?
- When will a party be relieved of its obligations?
- If all else fails, can the common law doctrine of frustration come to the rescue?
- Given the closure or suspension of various courts throughout Australia, what can you do including self-help" options under PPS and other laws
- Going forward what are the key inclusions that you will now see in supply contracts and other commercial agreements
- Case law update
Presented by Brett Heath, In-House Advocate, Carter Newell
1.00pm to 2.00pm: Keeping Your School’s Financial Plates Spinning in Uncertain Times
The COVID-19 pandemic represents the biggest test for your school’s financial stability. So it is crucial that schools assess their risk and vulnerability from a financial stand point. In order to understand your risks, this presentation will examine how to;
- Dissect school business activities
- Identify and assess your school’s risk and vulnerability from a financial standpoint
- Examine risk mitigation and reducing the impact of legislation
- Credible and relevant financial reporting
- Cashflow reporting of school financials
- Increase cashflow and reduce debtors
Presented by Kenton Newall, Business Relationship Manager, Coles School Experts
Testimonials:
Practical real life experience
Excellent
Good advice+ the case studies were very informative
For Teachers:
Attend and earn 1 CPD points (QLD, WA, SA)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of CPD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining teacher registration
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.
Attend and earn 1 Professional Development Hours (NSW)
Completing this conference will contribute 1 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority PD addressing 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW
Attend and earn 1 hours of PD (VIC)
Attending this conference will contribute 1 hours of PD addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining
Proficient Teacher registration in Victoria.
7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative and organisational requirements: understand the implications of, and comply with, relevant legislative, administrative, organisational and professional requirements, policies and processes.