This session gives you the tools to meet your obligations with confidence. School sport is an essential component of the curriculum and young people’s development.  Don’t let the legal implications of injury lessen this vital part of school life.  Ensure that you and your school are fully aware of your legal obligations.  Gain practical strategies for assessing risk and consider reql-world examples of the reasonable steps that you need to take to keep your students and your school safe.

Presenters

Kristen Lopes, Partner - Employment and Safety Law, Colin Biggers & Paisley Lawyers
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.

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.