LIVE WELL, LEAD WELL

Leadership is a commitment of both personal and community resources. Research findings are clear; it’s challenging in today’s world. More than ever, we need committed leaders who can sustain themselves so they can realise their vision for positive learning communities. Live well, Lead well invites you to face leadership challenges with hope, with strategies, and to make a positive difference through self-care that nurtures positive school cultures.

With a focus on self-care, the Live Well, Lead Well booth, presented in partnership by ACEL, Tracey Ezard Pty Ltd and Defib For Life charitable organisation, will provide access for conference delegates to the Shane Warne Legacy Health Heart Machine which provides a basic health check. Andrew White from Defib for Life will also have a range of defibrillators available and will give demonstrations on how to use them. As cardio vascular disease is the biggest killer for both men and women in Australia, giving our hearts the attention they need, and access to the equipment in our schools that can save staff, students and community lives is a worthwhile pursuit.

Tracey Ezard

Tracey Ezard is known for her ‘Ferocious Warmth’ leadership approach and professional collaborative culture work. Her collaborative framework The Buzz, which creates an environment of learning, trust and innovation,  is used in school and systems throughout Australia and NZ. She is the author of three books including - ‘Ferocious Warmth - School Leaders Who Inspire and Transform’, and ‘The Buzz – Creating a Thriving and Collaborative Staff Learning Culture’. Tracey is a National Fellow of ACEL and was the 2022 recipient of the ACELVic Hedley Beare Educator of the Year award.

Barbara Watterston

Dr Barbara Watterston is CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) and has held several school and system leadership positions across Australia.  Her national report, Insights: Environmental Scan Principal Preparation Programs contributed to five major national recommendations for preparing future school leaders. Her book Step In, Step Up: Empowering women for the school leadership journey (2019) received a silver medal in the international 2020 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards.  She has a special interest in the links between leadership sustainability, wellbeing, and impact on performance to ensure learning, for all, can thrive.

Paul Kidson

Dr Paul Kidson is Acting Chair in Educational Leadership in Australian Catholic University’s La Salle Academy and a Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership. He is a principal investigator on the Australian principal occupational health, safety, and well-being survey, the longest running project on school leader wellbeing across the globe. Prior to becoming an academic, he was a school principal for more than 11 years and is currently the ACEL NSW Branch President.