Education Law Conference Auckland
In an environment where processes, statutes and policy keep you safe, catch up on the latest information and best practice procedure in this comprehensive education law programme. From understanding the school Boards’ obligations to supporting student rights and diversity, minimising risks of complaints in employment contracts, managing investigations, restraint, confiscation, and surrender, to family court orders, online harm and creating a great culture, set you and your school up for success. 233NZA38
Description
Attend and earn 7 CPD/PLD Hours
Session 1
Education Law: The Current State of Play
Chair: James Crichton, Consultant, Three60 Consult
8.45am to 8.50am Opening Comments by the Chair
BOARD AND GOVERNANCE OBLIGATIONS
8.50am to 9.40am School Board’s Obligations to Supporting Student Rights and Diversity
Presented by Ced Simpson, Governance Adviser (ASC), New Zealand School Trustees Association, Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearao
9.40am to 10.30am Developing Policies and Procedures: Workplace Culture & Bullying
- Giving past students the ability to speak about their trauma
- Best tips for creating policies, procedures and a ‘speak up culture’ in your current school environment
Presented by Zac Fargher, Senior Associate, Simpson Grierson
10.30am to 10.45am Morning Tea
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND WORKPLACE INVESTIGATIONS
10.45am to 11.35am Fixed Term Employment Agreements and Other Fraught Contractual Issues
- What is a fixed term employment agreement
- When can you offer employment on a fixed term basis
- How might you minimise the risk of a complaint
Presented by Fi McMillan, Special Counsel, Anderson Lloyd
11.35am to 12.25pm Investigations in the Education Context
- When is an investigation required?
- What is the process for an investigation?
- What are some of the practical considerations during and after the investigation process?
- What does the employment landscape look like after an investigation
Presented by Fiona McMillan, Partner, Lane Neave
12.25pm to 12.55pm Practical Discussion Session: HANDLING COMPLAINTS - WHAT COULD YOU DO?
Discuss real life case examples and scenarios coupled with real application of the law in this practical discussion-based session. Walk away with an inventory of strategies for de-escalation and a robust framework for handling common complaints.
Panellists:
Fi McMillan, Special Counsel, Anderson Lloyd
Arran Hunt, Partner, Stace Hammond
12.55pm to 1.00pm Final Q&A and Closing Comments by the Chair
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the School Board’s Obligations to Supporting Student Rights and Diversity
- Gain best tips for creating policies, procedures and a ‘speak up culture’
- Learn how to minimise risks of complaints in employment contracts
- Consider best practices for undertaking investigations
- Obtain strategies for de-escalation and complaints handling
Session 2
Student Rights, Discipline, Family Issues
Chair: Kesia Denhardt, Partner, Stace Hammond
STUDENT AND FAMILY ISSUES
1.45pm to 2.45pm Student Discipline
- Stand downs and suspensions under the Education & Training Act 2020
- Board suspension meetings: how to manage the meeting
- Restraint of a student
- Surrender and retention of student property
Presented by Gretchen Stone, Partner, Harrison Stone
2.45pm to 3.45pm The Omnipresence of Online Harm
- Recognising online harm
- Why online can feel just as or more real than reality
- The battle with online anonymity
- The benefits and pitfalls in seeking protection under the Harmful Digital Communication Act
Presented by Kesia Denhardt, Partner, Stace Hammond and Arran Hunt, Partner, Stace Hammond
3.45pm to 4.00pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm to 5.00pm Family Conflict: Navigating Parent Separation, Family Court Orders and Protection Orders
- Parental “rights” and responsibilities: dispelling the “unequal guardians” myth
- Agreements and Court Orders: some key difference and noteworthy points
- Protection Orders: a refresher and update
- Provision of information to Lawyer for Child: what will happen to the information and what should you expect?
Presented by Johan Niemand, Partner, Niemand Peebles Hoult
Learning Objectives:
- Gain best practice advice on using restraint, surrender and confiscation of property
- Develop a robust framework for handling social media and online harm
- Receive valuable knowledge on navigating Parent Separation, Family Court Orders and Protection Orders
Presenters
James Crichton
James Crichton logged his first appearance in an employment institution in 1978. His first 10 years of working life were spent in management, culminating in a period as general manager of a local authority. When he commenced legal practice, he developed an interest in working in schools, acting for teachers against schools, and for schools again teachers. He was appointed as a Commissioner or Limited Statutory Manager of a public school on four occasions. In 2004, James was appointed a temporary Member of the Employment Relations Authority and he was reappointed regularly thereafter as a permanent Member of the Authority. After 15 years of service to that institution, culminating with the last four years as Chief, he left the Authority to return to the Bar, specialising in employment law and practice, and alternative dispute resolution.
Ced Simpson
Ced Simpson is a consultant specialising in human rights-based professional practice, education and organisational strategy. He has a background in school education (teaching, curriculum development, school strategy & governance), and human rights promotion, education, campaigning and organisational development in a range of countries. He is currently a governance adviser for the New Zealand School Trustees Association, and Life Member of the Human Rights Foundation of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Zac Fargher
Zac specialises in public and regulatory law, advising public and private clients on regulatory and statutory compliance, policy development and decision making. He also represents clients in judicial review proceedings, inquiries and investigations, having appeared in the High Court in New Zealand and before several specialist hearing bodies. Zac acts for a core participant in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. In that capacity, and more broadly, Zac provides advice on preventing and responding to systemic bullying, harassment and abuse issues.
Fi McMillan
Fiona holds the position of Special Counsel at Anderson Lloyd, specialising in employment and education law. Prior to becoming a lawyer she worked as a primary school teacher in New Zealand and in the UK, and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Child Advocacy. She has also worked on several Boards. This experience puts her in a strong position to advise on employment matters and on legal issues affecting schools. Fiona is committed to working with her clients to find the best possible outcome, whether that can be achieved by constructive discussions and resolution of issues or through more formal processes.
Fiona McMillan
Fiona commenced her career with Lane Neave in 2007 and specialises in assisting employers with all employment law related advice including collective bargaining, independent external investigations and Human Rights commission matters. Fiona regularly represents employers in Mediations, Employment Relations Authority Investigation Meetings and the Employment Court. She has built strong relationships within a number of different industries including corporate, tourism, the medical and education sectors. Although Fiona is based in Auckland she works with clients in all parts of the country. Fiona regularly presents employment law seminars around New Zealand. Fiona was nominated for Young Lawyer of the Year at the 2016 Law Awards. In 2022, Fiona was named in the Doyle’s Guide New Zealand as a recommended Employment Lawyer. Fiona has also been recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a leading employment and health and safety practitioner in New Zealand.
Arran Hunt
After spending a decade designing solutions as a technical business analyst, Arran began work as a lawyer with a focus on technology and the internet. While much of his work is commercial, working with companies who focus on the delivery of technological solutions, he also has strong involvement on how technology impacts society. He has appeared numerous times for clients under the Harmful Digital Communication Act 2015, including the first civil matter under the legislation. and has spoken and written widely on the benefits and detriments of social media. With his background in technology, and a degree in science, he is often called to comments on new technology and any related legal impacts that will develop, having a greater understanding those most others in the legal profession.
Kesia Denhardt
Kesia Denhardt is a Partner at Stace Hammond. She has practised family law exclusively since 2009, and handles all types of matters, including ones involving parenting and guardianship disputes, domestic violence, relationship property and financial support, adoption, surrogacy and embryo donation, paternity issues, Family Protection Act claims, and applications under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act. Kesia has written and presented legal seminars on various family law issues and authored articles for a number of legal publications.
Gretchen Stone
Gretchen Stone specialises in employment and education law. She advises secondary principals through the Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand and with primary principals as the Honorary Solicitor for Auckland Primary Principals Association. Gretchen has extensive experience advising Principals and Board of Trustees in relation to employment and disciplinary issues, governance and management, student discipline issues, social media, and all areas of legal liability within the education sector.
Johan Niemand
Johan has practised as a lawyer since 2005, with a strong focus in family law and with a particular interest in family law practice and procedure. He regularly appears in the Family Court, District Court and High Court, and has conducted cases in the Maori Land Court, Employment Relations Authority and Court of Appeal. He also receives appointments from the Family Court to represent children in complex family disputes and has been appointed in both the Family Court and the High Court as counsel to assist the court. Johan is a member of the executive committee of the Family Law Section and is currently the President of the Waikato Bay of Plenty branch of the New Zealand Law Society.
Venue
Cliftons
Level 4/45 Queen Street
Auckland CBD
Auckland 1010
New Zealand
Parking
Parking is not included in your registration. Nearby options are:
- Downtown Carpark (4 min walk) Click here for rates
- Britomart Carpark (10 min walk) Click here for rates
Directions
CLOSEST TRAIN STATION - Britomart Station, 600m (5 min walk)
CLOSEST BUS STOP - Multiple stops on Queen St and Customs St (1 min walk)