At the heart of every school’s operation lays the difficult task of balancing finances, legal obligations, and stakeholder relationships. Benefit from practical knowledge to help you navigate the complexities of school management, from understanding new funding regulations to managing construction contracts and insurance needs. Gain the tools to proactively address financial and legal challenges, ensuring smoother operations and ensure effective decision-making. Don’t let the risks of financial missteps, compliance issues, and unresolved leadership conflicts derail your school’s commercial success.
Description
Teachers attending the entire series earn 5 Professional Development Hours (NSW, VIC) / CPD Points (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending the entire series earn 5 CPD units in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
If you register for the full series as a live online product after the date of an individual session, you will be sent the recording for the sessions that have passed. Alternatively, you can register for individual sessions by following the links below.
Enrolment and Operational Management: Safeguarding Institutional Viability
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
If your school’s enrolment and operational policies aren’t watertight, you’re leaving the door open to disputes, financial risks, and compliance failures. A misstep in enrolment decisions can lead to costly legal battles, while weak operational frameworks can undermine institutional stability. Strengthening policies and practices now helps protect against legal challenges, ensures compliance, and safeguards long-term viability. Don’t wait for a crisis - take action before small issues become major risks.
Description
Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
1.00pm to 2.00pm Enrolment and Operational Management: Safeguarding Institutional Viability
- Essential requirements with respect to the drafting of school enrolment contracts
- The preparation of school policies to govern:
- parents’ expectations in respect of the education afforded to their children, with particular emphasis upon successfully defending any “educational negligence” claims
- the school’s exposure to allegations of physical injury or psychological abuse of students, including bullying
- allegations of sexual abuse and the reporting obligations attendant upon those issues
- discrimination and racial vilification issues
- social media issues
Presented by Brett Heath, In-House Advocate, Carter Newell
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Presenters
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick GrammarDr Steven Middleton is an accomplished educational leader with close to 30 years of experience across several leading Independent Schools. Holding a Doctorate in Education from The University of Melbourne, Dr Middleton has a profound commitment to enhancing student and staff well being, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement. As Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Dr Middleton has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives that have significantly improved academic results and school culture. Dr Middleton’s leadership style is marked by strategic vision, educational innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing inclusive, supportive school environments. His extensive experience and research focus on leadership and character education make him a respected figure in the educational community. Dr Middleton has both a professional and personal interest in legal matters to pertaining to schools.
Brett Heath, In-House Advocate, Carter Newell
Brett Heath is an inhouse advocate at Carter Newell Lawyers and has specialised in commercial and insurance litigation since 1988. Having worked inhouse for a specialist professional liability insurer, and completed the Bar Practice Course, Brett now conducts professional liability, large-scale public liability, director’s and officers’ liability, construction and employment litigation. As Carter Newell’s inhouse advocate, Brett appears in all courts and tribunals for the firm’s clients. Brett is a regular speaker on continuing professional development issues, particularly with respect to risk prevention for professionals, developments in insurance and real estate law, commercial drafting techniques and mediation and litigation strategies.
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Insurance Essentials: Volunteer Coverage, Supplier Coverage and Beyond
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Are volunteers in your school covered if they’re injured? What happens if a supplier’s negligence leads to a claim? Without the right policies in place, your school could be left footing the bill. Gain clarity on what your insurance covers- and where hidden risks lie. Learn how to ensure volunteers, suppliers, and third parties are properly protected, so your school isn’t left exposed to unexpected claims and financial fallout.
Description
Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
1.00pm to 2.00pm Insurance Essentials: Volunteer Coverage, Supplier Coverage and Beyond
- Understanding insurance requirements for volunteers and their liability coverage
- Assessing supplier and contractor insurance to mitigate risks in school operations
- Exploring additional insurance needs, including cyber liability, property damage, and professional indemnity
- Identifying common coverage gaps and strategies for risk management
Presented by Clare Campbell, Principal Lawyer, DWF Australia
Presenters
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick GrammarDr Steven Middleton is an accomplished educational leader with close to 30 years of experience across several leading Independent Schools. Holding a Doctorate in Education from The University of Melbourne, Dr Middleton has a profound commitment to enhancing student and staff well being, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement. As Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Dr Middleton has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives that have significantly improved academic results and school culture. Dr Middleton’s leadership style is marked by strategic vision, educational innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing inclusive, supportive school environments. His extensive experience and research focus on leadership and character education make him a respected figure in the educational community. Dr Middleton has both a professional and personal interest in legal matters to pertaining to schools.
Clare Campbell, Principal Lawyer, DWF Australia
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Mastering School Finances: Proactive Strategies for Fees and Debtors Management
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Unpaid school fees can place a significant strain on finances, but with the right strategies, your school can manage risks, recover costs, and maintain strong relationships with its families. Unpack key tools for fee recovery, from effective enrolment terms to interest and cost provisions. Learn how to identify liable parties, communicate changes and explore recovery options. Implement a proactive, legally compliant approach to your school’s fee management.
Description
Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
1.00pm to 2.00pm Mastering School Finances: Proactive Strategies for Fees and Debtors Management
- Learn what tools are available to manage the risk of non-payment of fees (and minimise your costs of recovery)
- What can be included in the terms and conditions?
- How can schools recover interest and costs?
- What kind of provisions need to be included to recover interest and cost?
- Is there anything specific that needs to be included?
- Importance of identifying the person with liability
- How should changes to payment and other enrolment terms be communicated to parents?
- Understand how your options to recover school fees interact with a school’s obligations towards students and parents
- Explore the options for recovering school fees without going to Court, and how to minimise the costs of going to Court if there is no other option
Presented by Jeffrey Brown, Principal and Chairman, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers; Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation and Jodie Rodrigues, Associate, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Presenters
Jodie Rodrigues, Associate, Matthews Folbigg LawyersJodie joined the team at Matthews Folbigg in September 2020 as a solicitor in the Insolvency, Restructuring and Debt Recovery team. After completing her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science at Western Sydney University in 2018 and her Gradate Diploma of Legal Practice through the College of Law in 2019, she was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in July 2019. Prior to joining Matthews Folbigg, Jodie worked at a boutique law firm in the city for six years where she gained experience in a broad range of fields including commercial dispute resolution, debt recovery, insolvency, intellectual property, wills and estates litigation, and family law. Her primary area of practice was commercial litigation which helped to develop her critical commercial thinking and provided a foundational understanding of the needs of commercial clients. Jodie is thoroughly enjoying the challenge presented by her work in the insolvency and restructuring area, and is passionate about maintaining a “human-centred” approach to her work. She works to meet her clients’ needs through fostering enduring relationships, hard work and tenacity, and continuous learning so that she is poised to best serve her clients’ interests.
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Dr Steven Middleton is an accomplished educational leader with close to 30 years of experience across several leading Independent Schools. Holding a Doctorate in Education from The University of Melbourne, Dr Middleton has a profound commitment to enhancing student and staff well being, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement. As Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Dr Middleton has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives that have significantly improved academic results and school culture. Dr Middleton’s leadership style is marked by strategic vision, educational innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing inclusive, supportive school environments. His extensive experience and research focus on leadership and character education make him a respected figure in the educational community. Dr Middleton has both a professional and personal interest in legal matters to pertaining to schools.
Jeffrey Brown, Principal and Chairman, Matthews Folbigg Lawyers
Jeff is the Chairman of Matthews Folbigg Lawyers and Principal in the Insolvency, Restructuring & Debt Recovery Group. He has extensive experience in voluntary administrations, liquidations, receiverships, statutory demands for payment of debt, applications to set aside statutory demands, informal and formal corporate restructures, including those by way of Deed of Company Arrangement and personal insolvency matters, including bankruptcy. Jeff is a member of the Commercial Litigation Advisory Committee for the Law Society’s Specialist Accreditation program. Jeff is a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation, specialising in Insolvency. He is a member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) and the Commercial Law Association (CLA). Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation.
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School Funding Unlocked: New Regulations, Fundraising Strategies, and Foundation Best Practices
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Are you ready to maximise your school's funding potential? Don’t let changing regulations catch your school off guard. Learn how to harness new funding opportunities, improve fundraising strategies, and ensure your school has robust funding procurement practices that supports its long-term financial goals.
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Description
Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
1.00pm to 2.00pm School Funding Unlocked: Tax Deductibility, Fundraising Strategies and Foundations
- Exploration of the Australian Education Regulations 2023 (Cth)
- The world of DGRs in schools: what are they and how do you obtain them
- Fundraising: which entity should fundraise and how not to breach section 83C (and its equivalent in other jurisdictions)
- School foundations and their relationships with schools
- Best procurement practices in spending the school’s funds
Presented by Vera Visevic, Partner, Mills Oakley
Presenters
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick GrammarDr Steven Middleton is an accomplished educational leader with close to 30 years of experience across several leading Independent Schools. Holding a Doctorate in Education from The University of Melbourne, Dr Middleton has a profound commitment to enhancing student and staff well being, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement. As Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Dr Middleton has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives that have significantly improved academic results and school culture. Dr Middleton’s leadership style is marked by strategic vision, educational innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing inclusive, supportive school environments. His extensive experience and research focus on leadership and character education make him a respected figure in the educational community. Dr Middleton has both a professional and personal interest in legal matters to pertaining to schools.
Vera Visevic, Partner, Mills Oakley
Vera Visevic heads up the Sydney NFPs, Human Rights and Social Impact team at Mills Oakley. Acting for numerous charities, religious and not-for-profit organisations, Vera has 30 years' experience in the profession. In the not-for-profit sector, Vera focuses on constitutional reviews, mergers, governance and fundraising issues and regularly advises on ACNC and ATO endorsements. Vera is an author in "Charity Law", European Lawyer Reference (2012, 2016 and 2018). Vera sits on several Not-For-Profit boards and committees.
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Navigating Contracts in School Construction and Building Management Projects: Key Legal Clauses and Risks
Wednesday, 4 June 2025
Navigating construction contracts can be complex, especially when it comes to managing risks like project delays, contractor performance, and compliance issues. Be guided through the essential legal clauses every school needs to consider in construction and building management agreements. Understand the risks and arm yourself with strategies to minimise legal and financial exposure, ensuring your projects stay on track and within budget.
Description
Teachers attending earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
1.00pm to 2.00pm Navigating Contracts in School Construction and Building Management Projects: Key Legal Clauses and Risks
- Exploring key clauses in school construction and building management contracts, such as payment schedules, warranties, dispute resolution mechanisms, and termination rights
- Strategies to manage risks associated with delays, cost overruns, defects, and subcontractor liabilities
- Reviewing recent disputes and cases to identify common pitfalls and practical takeaways for schools
- Tips for securing favourable terms while ensuring accountability and quality outcomes
Presented by
Presenters
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick GrammarDr Steven Middleton is an accomplished educational leader with close to 30 years of experience across several leading Independent Schools. Holding a Doctorate in Education from The University of Melbourne, Dr Middleton has a profound commitment to enhancing student and staff well being, promoting academic excellence, and fostering community engagement. As Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar, Dr Middleton has been instrumental in leading strategic initiatives that have significantly improved academic results and school culture. Dr Middleton’s leadership style is marked by strategic vision, educational innovation, and a genuine commitment to developing inclusive, supportive school environments. His extensive experience and research focus on leadership and character education make him a respected figure in the educational community. Dr Middleton has both a professional and personal interest in legal matters to pertaining to schools.
Register for this session only
