Following on from Chanel Contos’ Teach Us Consent campaign and consent education being made mandatory in schools across Australia, schools are under the microscope when it comes to their response to allegations of harmful sexual behaviours. Demanding a nuanced understanding of culture, power dynamics, and legal frameworks, gain insight into how your school can navigate these sensitive issues with empathy, integrity, and legal clarity. 

Presenters

Ms. Lisa Flynn, Partner and National Manager of Abuse Law Department, Shine Lawyers
As Chief Legal Officer, Lisa oversees the firm’s entire legal practice. Her passion, determination, and vast expertise set the example for all of the hardworking teams across each of the compensation law services Shine Lawyers offers.Lisa Flynn has dedicated her life to the pursuit of justice on behalf of her clients. No case is too hard, and no opponent is too big to take on. Lisa has been with Shine Lawyers for more than twenty years and has shaped the firm's legacy across personal injury, class actions, and abuse claims; ensuring that all who need representation receive the best possible assistance. Her tenacity and strategic approach have solidified her reputation as a formidable advocate for those who have been wronged by powerful entities. In the field of personal injury, Lisa has consistently fought for the rights of those who have been injured due to the negligence of others. She has handled numerous cases involving workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, and public liability; securing fair compensation for her clients and making their journey to recovery less burdensome. Lisa's work in abuse claims has been particularly ground-breaking. She was among the first lawyers in the country to shine a light on the abuse suffered by survivors at the hands of the church and other organisations and she was a driving force in the establishment of the landmark Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. In July 2022, Lisa announced Shine Lawyers was spearheading arguably the most high profile abuse claim in Australian history against George Pell and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. She continues to be an unfaltering source of support and care for survivors and clients all over Australia and works with a number of community groups to advocate for change.


Mr Craig Petersen, President, NSW Secondary Principal's Council
Craig Petersen is President of the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council, the professional association representing approximately 500 principals of NSW Government Schools with secondary enrolments. Craig is the Principal of Denison College of Secondary Education, a multi-campus secondary college in the regional centre of Bathurst. He was previously Principal, Forbes High School. Under his leadership, both schools have been recipients of multiple awards, including the prestigious Director-General’s and Secretary’s Awards for School Achievement. Craig served on the Board of the NSW Education Standards Authority from 2017-19 and chaired the NESA Research and Technical Advisory Committee. Craig has delivered presentations at major conferences, including the Secondary Principals’ Council Annual Conference (Bathurst, Australia, 2014), Alberta Rural Education Symposium (Alberta, Canada, 2014), the International Confederation of Principals’ Conference (Helsinki, Finland, 2015, Capetown, South Africa, 2017 and Shanghai, China, 2019), NSW Rural & Remote Education Conference (Bathurst, Australia, 2016), Ignite the Spark Fuel the Fire: Leading Differentiation (Sydney, Australia, 2016), Rural and Remote School Excellence Journey (2018) and NSW English Teachers’ Association “Perspectives on Writing: From Theory to Practice” (2021). In 2014, Craig received both the Department of Education Educational Leadership Fellowship, and the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council’s Academy Research Fellowship to support his research into improving outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

School Law: Disability, Sports, LGBTIQ+, Sexual Misconduct and Enrolment Contracts

With a crackdown on school sporting injuries, increasing pressure to prevent student on student sexual assault, recent recommendations from the Disability Royal Commission, a changing approach to LGBTIQIA+ students and an influx of enrolment contract disputes, don’t miss your chance to get across a diverse range of legal challenges affecting Australian schools in this unique series tailor made for educators. Get the insights and strategies needed to remain vigilant in a changing education system.