School Law for New and Aspiring School Leaders
Issues covered include: managing risk, problematic parents, family law, poor performance, discipline, ill and injured employees, bullying and harassment.
Description
You’re a newly appointed or aspiring school leader or you are an experienced school leader who wants to succeed in your role or mentor and support fellow leaders and colleagues at your school. As a leader it’s crucial that you and your colleagues engage with and understand the fundamental, emerging and evolving legal framework in which schools operate. Gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in a leadership role.
For Lawyers
Attend and Earn 6 CPD Units in Substantive Law
For Teachers
Completing the School Law for New and Aspiring School Leaders will contribute 6 hours of NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Registered PD addressing 6.2.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW.
Session 1
Maintaining a Legally Compliant School: Risk, Parents & Families
Chair: Beth Ellerrman, Director of Finance and Operations, Danebank
9.00am to 9.55am: Managing Risks in Schools Today
Explore the responsibilities of schools in the following areas, including your obligations and duties:
- Injuries and accidents
- Off-campus activities
- Cases of abuse
Presented by Matthew Gerathy, Partner, Makinson D’Apice
9.55am to 10.50am: Problematic Parents: How to Keep Your Cool When Tensions Rise
- Tips on how to handle the types of issues that can arise:
- Parent vs parent: How do you choose a side?
- Parent vs student: bullying or inappropriate behaviour
- Parent vs staff member: how to protect staff from abuse
- Parent vs school: when allegations are made
- What are the school's obligations? Your duty of care, child protection legislation, work, health and safety law and discrimination law
- What are your school's rights? Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901, defamation, criminal offences and AVOs
- What are the parents' rights and obligations? General law and the enrolment contract
- Guidance for dealing with problematic parents
Presented by Sonya Parsons, Partner, Thomson Geer
10.50am to 11.05am Morning Tea
11.05am to 12.00pm: Your Role and Your School’s Role in the Family Law Processes
- Understanding parenting arrangements and shared parental responsibility
- Parent and student consent: best practices for working with separated parents and divided and blended families
- Privacy issues for students
- Giving evidence in court proceedings
Presented by Anne-Marie Fensom, In-House Legal Counsel, Legal Team HR, Professional Services Legal, Child Protection, WHS, Staff Wellbeing and Injury Management, Sydney Catholic Schools
12.00pm to 12.15pm: Ask the Lawyers: Practical Q&A Break-Out Session
Take advantage of more Q&A time with our panel of legal experts and have your specific questions and concerns addressed.
Panel includes:
Anne-Marie Fensom, In-House Legal Counsel, Legal Team HR, Professional Services Legal, Child Protection, WHS, Staff Wellbeing and Injury Management, Sydney Catholic Schools
Felicity Edwards, Partner, Sparke Helmore
Session 2
Navigating Critical Workplace Law Issues in Your School
Chair: Ian Miller, Managing Partner, Hunt & Hunt
1.15pm to 2.15pm: Dealing with Poor Performers and Disciplinary Issues: the Do’s and Don’ts
Managing employee performance and conduct issues can be challenging even without complications like illness, injury or a workers’ compensation claim. Gain insights into:
- Performance and conduct management best practice
- Common issues and stumbling blocks to be aware of
- Employer and employee obligations
- Legal risks to bear in mind
Presented by Felicity Edwards, Partner, Sparke Helmore
2.15pm to 3.15pm: When Will I See You Again? A School’s Guide to Managing Ill and Injured Employees
- What are your school’s rights and obligations in relation to managing a long-term ill or injured employee?
- Navigating the big legal risks
- Need more information? Independent medical examinations
- Practical guidance
- Communicating with an employee who is away sick
- Paid leave entitlements
- Providing suitable duties
Presented by Maree Skinner, Partner and Katie Kossian, Senior Associate, Maddocks
3.15pm to 3.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm to 4.30pm: Bullying and Harassment: Maintaining a Safe School
- What is bullying and does the definition vary under different statutes?
- What is harassment and does the definition vary under different statutes?
- What can happen if a person believes they are bullied or harassed?
- How far can an aggrieved person’s claim go before there is a resolution?
- What consequences might there be if a person is bullied or harassed?
Presented by Elizabeth Devine, Principal, Solicitor and Workplace Relations Consultant, Devine Law at Work
Venue
Cliftons Sydney
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia
Directions
Nearby Public Transport:
Train Stations - Wynyard 400m OR Martin Place 500m
Bus Interchange - Clarence Street 450m
Ferry - Circular Quay 1.2km
Parking Information
Parking not included in your registration. Here are some options below.
Secure Park 20 Bond Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 1 O'Connell Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 31 Bond Street - click here for rates