2017 ACEL National Conference

The Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) held their annual national conference last week from 4-6th October at the International Convention Centre, Sydney.

Over 800 delegates attended the three-day event including system leaders, principals, policy makers, teachers and researchers from independent, catholic and public sectors.

Keynotes at the ACEL conference included several global thought leaders in education like Barbara Blackburn (USA) Pasi Sahlberg (FIN) and Russel Quaglia (USA). The conference line up also featured other presenters like David Marquet (USA) Tania Major (AU) and Ben Walden (UK) who shared their unique perspectives in bringing to life the conference theme of ‘Respect the Past, Lead the Present, Secure the Future’.

50 Breakout sessions presented by over 70 education professionals supported and expanded on the themes delivered in the keynotes, offering practical tips and strategies for attendees to take away and implement post-conference. The NSW State Premier Gladys Berejiklian, addressed the delegates, reiterating the Government’s commitment to open dialogue with school leaders and teachers.

The ACEL 2017 National Award Ceremony was held on the evening of 5th October, as part of the conference. Almost 120 guests attended the event to acknowledge and celebrate the leadership and commitment demonstrated by each awardee. Recipients of ACEL New Voice Scholarships from each state and territory in categories of school leadership, educational leadership research and Indigenous voice in school leadership were presented with certificates. Emeritus Professor Richard Teese received the highest honour, the ACEL Gold Medal.

CEO Aasha Murthy observes that, “ACEL’s national Educational Leadership conference provides attendees with a unique opportunity to reflect on current practice and to embrace new ways of thinking, learning from those at the forefront of change in education. At this year’s conference, delegates were again given a fantastic opportunity to develop their professional knowledge and apply this knowledge to a range of school systems and settings.”

The ACEL 2018 Conference ‘Trust Your Experience’ in Melbourne from the 3-5th of October promises to be another world-class international conference featuring global thought leaders and experts.

Click here to download the PDF for the above
Click here to access index of Media Releases