Are vexatious and bullying parents disrupting your school environment? You're not alone. These challenging behaviors- characterised by persistent complaints and aggressive tactics-are becoming more prevalent, creating significant hurdles for educators and administrators. Add to your inventory of effective strategies for managing these challenging interactions and feel confident knowing the legal protections afforded to your school.

Presenters

Henry Grossek, Principal, Berwick Lodge Primary School
Kristen Lopes is a partner in the Employment and Safety Team with in excess of 25 years' handling employment litigation in the courts and tribunals. Kristen regularly provides advice to independent schools, universities, TAFES and childcare centres in the state of NSW. Kristen advises on a broad range of matters including interpretation of enterprise agreements, modern award obligations, managing staff and student conduct issues and conducting investigations into staff and student complaints. Kristen regularly acts on behalf of independent schools in proceedings before the courts and tribunals in proceedings involving unfair dismissal applications, general protection claims, discrimination, bullying complaints and underpayment claims. Examples include: responding to a student disability discrimination complaint in the AHRC; defending an independent contractor vs employee claim in the Federal Court; defending general protection claims in the FCAFC arising from dismissals; and defending unfair dismissal and stop bullying applications in the FWC. Kristen also has extensive experience speaking at CBP's internal Education Spotlight seminar series, and external conferences including: School Law conferences, co-ordinated by Television Education Network, LawSense, Legalwise and ANZELA. In May 2010 Kristen received her master of laws degree with first class honours from the University of Sydney specialising in comparative employment law. She obtained the prize in advanced employment law in 2007 and was a finalist in the 2008 McCallum Medal Presentation competition where she presented on workplace bullying. Kristen was called to the bar in Ontario Canada in 1995 and practised employment law as a partner in one of Canada's leading law firms until she relocated to Australia. She was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 2006.


Stephanie McLuckie, Senior Associate, Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers
Stephanie assists clients in the not-for-profit space, practising in the areas of education law, commercial law and employment law. She acts for many independent schools, not-for-profit organisations and charities across a broad range of matters. Stephanie is particularly experienced in advising her independent and religious school clients regarding related party transactions and compliance with the not-for-profit obligations under the State and Commonwealth Education Acts. She often assists schools with registration matters and dealing with regulators. Stephanie regularly assists with the incorporation and registration of new charities, with a focus on governance matters and meeting compliance obligations. She also has experience in large and small property transactions, transfers of land and business, licences and leasing. As an advocate for the value of higher education, Stephanie worked as a tutor in the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) program, which aims to increase access to tertiary education for disadvantaged high school students.

School Law Series: From the Right to Disconnect, Vexatious Parents, Poor Performers & More

Gain the legal information, updates & strategies you need with a series of the most important topics all tailor made for schools. Explore the breadth of the new ‘right to disconnect’ provisions and how best to balance the needs of your school with legislative requirements. Ensure you understand your duty of care obligations and have firm policies in place when it comes to student activity before and after school hours. Add to your inventory of effective strategies for managing challenging interactions with vexatious and bullying parents and much more. Make it easy & save by registering for the full series or just the sessions that interest you. Watch each session live online or as an on-demand recording.