Education Law Conference 2020 in Wellington
Issues covered include: Mental Health and Your Staff, Dealing with Competency Issues and Allegations of Bullying Staff, Breaches of the Employment Agreement, The Health and Safety at Work Act 4 years on, Insights from the New Zealand School Trustees Association, Managing Staff Misconduct on Social Media, Protection from Parents, Insights from the Teaching Council
Description
The school environment is a minefield of employment, governance and protection legal issues so it is crucial you know how to respond quickly, lawfully and effectively when they arise. Hear from leading experts in education, the New Zealand Schools Trustees Association and the Teaching Council in this information packed Conference. Gain practical insights into employment law issues and develop strategies to address school governance, manage staff behaviour and deal with difficult parents professionally.
Attend and earn 7 CPD hours
Session 1
Critical Employment Issues Affecting Schools
Chair: Kaylene Macnee, Principal, Pinehaven School
9.00am to 10.00am: Medical Incapacity Affecting School Staff: Mental Health and Your Staff
Managing employee’s anxiety, depression and other mental illness is increasingly an issue for employers, requiring care and proactive management.
- Explore the legal requirements and obligations for employers around mental health
- Focus on your obligations to provide employees’ with a safe work environment
- Understand how to manage issues when they arise: return to work and medical termination
Presented by Johanna Drayton, Partner and Jordan Boyle, Associate, Dyhrberg Drayton Employment Law
10.00am to 11.00am: Dealing with Competency Issues and Allegations of Bullying Staff
- What is bullying? Useful definitions for the school environment
- Guidance from WorkSafe
- Guidance from legislation
- Overlap with:
- Health and safety obligations
- Employment obligations
- Student care obligations
- Options for addressing the issues effectively
- Potential liabilities for Schools and Boards
Presented by Geoff Davenport, Barrister, Capital Chambers
11.00am to 11.15am Morning Tea
11.15am to 12.15pm: Breaches of the Employment Agreement: What you Need to Know
- A look at what constitutes the employment agreement
- The use of different types of agreement including a focus on fixed term agreements in the education sector
- The role of good faith in employment relationships
- What changes an employer can make, and how to go about it
- Dealing with possible breaches by an employer, employee or third party
Presented by Andrea Pazin, Senior Associate, Buddle Findlay
12.15pm to 1.15pm: The Health and Safety at Work Act 4 years on: Are our Schools Safer?
- What are the risks facing schools today?
- Who are duties owed to, and who is responsible for health and safety management in schools?
- Identifying risks and how to prioritise hazard management
- How far does a school’s duty extend? What are the obligations outside the school gates?
- Understanding and complying with obligations to consult, cooperate and coordinate with other PCBUs including the MOE, EOTC providers and contractors
Presented by Sarah Townsend, Partner, Duncan Cotterill
Session 2
School Governance, Staff Misconduct and Protection from Parents
Chair: Ross Sinclair, Principal, Hutt Valley High School
2.00pm to 2.45pm: Insights from the New Zealand School Trustees Association
A valuable insight from the New Zealand School Trustees Association on issues relating to school governance and management.
Presented by Elise Adams, Chief Executive Officer and Lorraine Kerr, President, The New Zealand School Trustees Association Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa
2.45pm to 3.30pm: Managing Staff Misconduct on Social Media
- Staff misconduct on social media: What can you do?
- Social media policies: Practical tips and example policy provisions
- Getting reluctant staff to appropriately engage in social media
- Managing online interaction between staff and parents
Presented by Sianatu Lotoaso, Senior Solicitor, Simpson Grierson
3.30pm to 3.45pm Afternoon Tea
3.45pm to 4.30pm: Protection from Parents
- Common complaints
- Strategies for de-escalation
- What if matters can’t be de-escalated: Judicial review and the importance of process
- PR considerations
- Removing parents from school grounds
Presented by James Pullar, Partner, Taylor Shaw Barristers & Solicitors
4.30pm to 5.15pm: UPDATE AND INSIGHTS FROM THE TEACHING COUNCIL
Receive a critical and timely update on matters that have been brought before the Teaching Council and take away lessons and key learnings that can be applied to your school.
Presented by Rex Smith, Manager of Professional Responsibility, Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand
Venue
InterContinental Wellington
Level 1, 2 Grey Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand
Directions
The Intercontinental is a 2 min walk from Lambton Quay which has a number of buses going to airport and suburbs. It's a 10 min walk to the nearest train station. Taxis are also available downstairs at the hotel entry.
Parking
Limited valet parking available at $20 per day. Additional parking available at Wilson Parking with $5 per half hour and $22 for early-bird.
Parking is not included in the registration fee and price is subject to change.