Law for New and Aspiring School Leaders
You’re a newly appointed, aspiring or experienced school leader. You want to succeed in your role or mentor and support fellow leaders and colleagues at your school. How can you make the most of the opportunity while effectively managing the legal risks and pitfalls you might encounter? When you become 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.
Description
For Lawyers
Attend and earn 6 CPD points in Competency Area 4: Substantive Law
For Teachers
Attend and earn 6 PD points
Attending this conference will contribute 6 hours of Professional Learning addressing the standards as listed from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher registration in Western Australia.
4: Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
7: Engage professionally with colleagues
Session 1
Maintaining a Legally Compliant School: Risk, Parents & Families
Chair: Dr Julie Harris, Director of Teaching & Learning, Guildford Grammar School
9.00am to 9.05am Opening Comments by the Chair
9.05am to 9.50am: Overview of Key Legal Issues Principals Should Know About
- WH&S in school and on excursions
- Legal obligations for students with a disability
- Bullying in schools
- Managing difficult parents
Presented by Gina Nofal, Associate, HHG Legal Group
9.50am to 10.35am: Your Obligations to Protect Your Students and What to Do When Things Go Wrong
- Your school’s obligations under the Teacher Registration Act 2012 (WA)
- Statutory reporting obligations to the Teacher Registration Board
- Reporting and investigating misconduct under s42 of the Act
- The effect of the recent decision of Halliday on teaching staff that inadvertently lapse their registration
- Understanding the school’s obligations under the Working with Children (Criminal Record Checking) Act 2004 (WA) including
- The effect of recent decisions in WA and consideration of that Act and the term ‘child-related employment’
- Teachers and principals receiving negative and interim negative Working with Children notices
Presented by Daniel Stojanoski, Senior Associate, Slater & Gordon
10.35am to 10.50am Morning Tea
10.50am to 11.35am: The School Enrolment Contract: The Start of a Long Relationship
- A review of the basics of the enrolment contract
- Privacy and confidentiality obligations on the School
- Parental consents: what can be included at the outset
- Split families: who is responsible to pay the fees?
- The end of the road: When and how the enrolment may be terminated
Presented by Michael Jensen, Senior Associate, Lavan
11.35am to 12.20pm: What You Need to Know about the Family Court of WA and Family Breakdown
- Understanding your duty of care as an educator
- Overview of the Family Court of Western Australia and parenting legislation
- Parental responsibility: what this means given the relevant legislation
- Family violence and your school caught in the middle
- Privacy in Family Court proceedings
- Parenting, Family Court Orders and how to interpret an order
- How a school might get involved Family Court proceedings: subpoenas and preparing affidavit evidence
- Role of the Independent Children’s Lawyer
- Children’s wishes/views
- Conflict between duty of care and Court Orders
- The Family Court Headmaster’s Hotline
Presented by Paula Wilkinson, Director, Kim Wilson & Co
12.20pm to 12.30pm Final Q & A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Session 2
Critical Workplace Law Issues for Schools
Chair: Karen Prendergast, Principal, Lumen Christi College
1.15pm to 1.20 pm Opening Comments by the Chair
1.20pm to 2.15pm: Dealing with Poor Performers and Disciplinary Issues: the Dos and Don’ts
Managing employee performance and conduct issues can be challenging even without complications like illness, injury or a workers’ compensation claim. This session will provide 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 Layla Langridge, Senior Associate, Sparke Helmore
2.15pm to 3.10pm: Conducting Swift, Impartial and Effective Workplace Investigations
- When and why a workplace investigation is required
- Who should be the investigator?
- The investigation process
- Considering matters such as privilege, confidentiality and the standard of proof
- Tips and traps
Presented by Renae Harding, Partner, Jackson McDonald
3.10pm to 3.25pm Afternoon Tea
3.25pm to 4.20pm: When Will I See You Again? An Employer's Guide to Managing Ill and Injured Employees
- What are an employer'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, impact of WorkCover WA
Presented by Maria Saraceni, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
4.20pm to 4.30pm Final Q & A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Venue
Mercure Perth
Level 1, 10 Irwin St
Perth 6000
WA
Australia