About the Breakfast Forum

The modern day reality of a dynamic school environment is that anything can happen at once, and often several things at that.  Reflecting this, it is becoming increasingly common for those in the school community to raise grievances; whether to teachers, the principal, or the school board.

Schools also frequently encounter ‘change fatigue’, as staff, students and parents react to developments created by regulatory requirements and staffing changes (amongst other things).  This can occasionally result in concerns about a school’s culture being ‘in crisis’, particularly following the appointment of a new principal or recent staff departures.

In this AHISA Breakfast Forum, which will include a panel discussions involving principals and boards at different stages of their careers, we will look at:

• The hot topics in schools most likely to create contention.
• How schools monitor the temperature of the school community.
• The Board’s role in ensuring a healthy ‘school culture’, and responding to grievances.
• Best practice when engaging with the school community and the media during a crisis.

Schedule

About the Presenter

Ben Tallboys is a Principal at Russell Kennedy Lawyers and specialises in Workplace Relations, Education and Safety.

Ben spends his days, nights, and, yes, weekends, advising Schools around Australia on all issues to do with staff, students, parents, boards and the media.  In any given month Ben will support as many as 100 schools, in addition to his work with peak bodies such as the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia, Independent Schools Australia, and also systems for Anglican, Catholic and Lutheran schools.

Ben works tirelessly to help schools achieve practical outcomes, and manage financial, legal and reputational risk when issues and crises emerge. When disputes cannot be avoided, Ben represents his clients in courts and tribunals.   

Ben regularly advises school boards on good governance, managing grievances and dealing with regulators.