Recent Past Conferences

Excellence is a quality we all strive for in our work, and this year’s conference was themed to give all staff working in boarding the chance to develop their skills and understanding of their profession.

It was such a great success - some of the comments received include "Some of the highlights for me were, of course, such pertinent and eloquent speakers (it was a joy to sit and listen to thinking and information so integral to our business and to be surrounded by one’s peers), the interactive sessions, the two very enjoyable dinners and the agenda itself. I have been to so many seminars where one sits and listens from early morning to late evening, day after day. I was therefore, delighted and refreshed to find that we had three ½ days and really only one full day. I think it gave me time to think and to consider how I could use the information in my Boarding College", "The program was just great, the venue excellent and my accommodation just perfect. I really enjoyed the Canberra experience and dinner at Parliament was very special." and "The speakers were varied, interesting and informative; the catering was delicious and the two Conference Dinners were outstanding. The highlight for me was the opportunity to meet and talk with such a diverse group of educators. Every conversation was stimulating and I have returned to Melbourne with my head full of new ideas. To use our final speaker – the conference certainly gave me clarity and control, a chance not to be sleep deprived, a positive outlook, perspective, a chance to build positive relationships, an opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses and definitely an appreciation of the good things that have happened to me."

Thanks to all who attended.

GETTING TO THE CRUX OF MANAGING AND LEADING BOARDING HOUSES

During 2009 ABSA ran a one day seminar in major boarding centres across the country, featuring the recent work of Michael Carr-Gregg - information is available from the links below.

DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE CONFERENCE BROCHURE

PROGRAM:

SATURDAY MARCH 1:

9:00am Welcome and Orientation - Who are we and What are we here for?

9:30am What Heads Want - The role of a Leader in a Boarding Community - Garth Wynne, Chairman of ABSA and Headmaster of Christ Church Grammar School, Perth.

10:30am Morning Tea

11:00am The Trials and Tribulations of Being a Leader - Pauline Turner, Head of Boarding, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney

11:45am Changing Schools - Understanding a New Culture - Madonna Hennessy, Director of Boarding Services, St Peters Lutheran College, Brisbane

12:30pm Lunch

1:30pm Working with your Managers - Tina Campbell, Head of Boarding, St Mary's Anglican Girls School, Perth

SLIDE PRESENTATION

FLYER

2:15pm The Importance of PD for your staff - Linda Evans, Principal, Fairholme College, Toowoomba

3:00pm Afternoon tea

3:30pm Developing the On-Campus Community - Chris Beechey, Director of Boarding, Ballarat Grammar

4:15pm Leading Your Staff - Darren Roylett, Head of Boarding, Prince Alfred College, Adelaide

5:00pm Free time

6:30pm Dinner at Brisbane International, Virginia

SUNDAY MARCH 2:

9:00am Managing Risk in Boarding - Lesa Fowler, Head of Boarding, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, Brisbane

9:45am Developing Student Leadership - Dan Brown, Dean of Boarding, The Southport School

10:30am Morning Tea

11:00am Where Has Boarding Come From? - Ros Lindsay, Board Member, Tasmania

11:45am What ABSA can offer you - Richard Stokes, Executive Director

12:30pm Conclusion and lunch

SATURDAY MARCH 14:

9:00am Welcome and Orientation - Who are we and What are we here for? Tell us about your leadership journey to date.

9:30am The role of a Leader in a Boarding Community - Garth Wynne

11:00am Morning Tea

11:30am Changing Schools - Understanding a New Culture and knowing what to change - Simon Shepherd

1:00pm Lunch

1:45pm Managing a Crisis - Tina Campbell and Pauline Turner

2:45pm The Importance of PD for your Staff - Sue Collister

3:45pm Afternoon tea

4:15pm Leading Your Staff - Darren Roylett

5:15pm Day concludes

6:30pm for 7pm Dinner - hotel venue

SUNDAY MARCH 16:

9:00am Managing Risk in Boarding - Lesa Fowler

10:00am Developing Student Leadership - Dan Brown

11:00am Morning Tea

11:30am Where Has Boarding Come From? - Ros Lindsay

12:00noon What ABSA can offer you - Richard Stokes/Tom Dunsmore

12:45pm Conclusion and lunch