When workplace issues arise, swift and informed action is essential. This session empowers school leaders to confidently navigate every stage of a workplace investigation—from determining the need for one, to selecting the right investigator, and ensuring a fair, compliant process. You’ll gain practical strategies for communicating outcomes and taking the right steps post-investigation. Tailored specifically for the school environment, this session delivers clear, actionable insights to help you handle sensitive matters with confidence and care.
Tuesday, 26 August 2025
Chair:
Dr Steven Middleton, Associate Principal, St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar
Description
For Teachers: Attend and earn 1 Professional Development Hour (NSW, VIC) / CPD Point (QLD, WA, SA)
For Lawyers: Attend and earn 1 CPD unit in Substantive Law
This program is applicable to practitioners from all States & Territories
1.00pm to 2.00pm Master the Art of Workplace Investigations in Schools
- The first decision: when is an investigation needed (or not needed)?
- Who should investigate: in-house or external?
- The investigation process: getting the basics right
- Finalising the investigation: communicating the outcome
- Now the investigation is done, what happens next?
Presented by Rochelle Airey, Special Counsel, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
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.
Rochelle Airey, Special Counsel, HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Rochelle Airey is a Special Counsel in the Workplace Relations and Safety team in the Perth office of HWL Ebsworth. Rochelle was admitted to practice in 2009 and, for the past 5 years, has worked primarily in employment law and industrial relations. Rochelle has worked for a range of clients across various sectors, including education, construction, engineering, transport, health, local government and disability services. Prior to being admitted as a lawyer, Rochelle had 18 years of experience as a secondary school teacher, working in metropolitan and regional schools. Rochelle's experience as a classroom teacher and school administrator gives her insight into the particular issues facing the education sector. Rochelle's practice focuses on advising employers about all stages of the employment relationship, including contracts of employment, policies, performance management, redundancies, termination of employment, post-employment restraints and employment litigation.
This seminar is part of a series
School Law In Focus
Empower your leadership team by attending our School Law Webinar Series, crafted specifically for school leaders navigating today’s complex legal landscape. This engaging series offers practical guidance on key legal issues affecting school operations—from student and parent rights and parenting orders, to workplace investigations and procedures for return to work after injury. Gain practical strategies for assessing risk associated with school sport and consider the reasonable steps that you need to take to keep your students and your school safe. Led by top education law experts, each session delivers actionable insights to help principals make informed decisions and stay ahead of legal changes. Flexible online access ensures you can learn on your schedule while earning professional development credits. 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.
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.
View series listing
