This School Law Series brings together three critical topics for school leaders and administrators. Examine psychosocial hazards in educational settings, including bullying, work-related stress and exposure to traumatic events, and the legal duties for managing these risks. Focus on creating safe online environments in light of new child safety standards and social media restrictions, offering strategies to balance compliance with student wellbeing. Hear practical guidance on supporting ill or injured staff while meeting obligations under workplace health and safety, anti-discrimination, and employment laws. Together, these sessions deliver actionable insights to help schools navigate complex legal responsibilities and foster safe, supportive communities.
Description
Teachers attending the entire series earn 2 Professional Development Hours (NSW, VIC) / CPD Points (QLD, WA, SA)
Lawyers attending the entire series earn 2 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.
Psychosocial Hazards in Schools: Understanding Risks and Legal Responsibilities
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
This session explores the growing focus on psychosocial hazards within educational settings and their implications under workplace health and safety laws.
1.00pm to 2.00pm Psychosocial Hazards in Schools: Understanding Risks and Legal Responsibilities
- What constitutes a psychosocial hazard such as bullying, work-related stress, and exposure to traumatic events
- How these risks impact staff and student wellbeing, and the legal duties schools have to identify, manage, and mitigate them
- Practical strategies for compliance, risk assessment, and creating a supportive school culture
Presented by Abbey Burns, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy
Chair:
Dr Steve Middleton, Principal and CEO, The Pittwater House School
Description
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
Presenters
Abbey Burns, Special Counsel, Russell KennedyAbbey has been practising for many years in workplace relations, employment and discrimination matters, and has been with Russell Kennedy for 13 years. Abbey’s practice includes advising clients in a broad range of industries on workplace relations, employment law and discrimination matters.
Dr Steve Middleton, Principal, Pittwater High
Dr Middleton, who will formally begin in Term 1, 2026, is a respected educational leader with close to 30 years’ experience in Australia’s top independent schools – including The King’s School and Knox Grammar. Prior to this role, Dr Middleton was Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar in Melbourne. Named one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators, Dr Middleton is a passionate advocate for the collective well-being and academic advancement of each student.
Register for this session only
Managing Ill and Injured Employees
Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Description
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 Managing Ill and Injured Employees
- Key issues such as return-to-work requirements, reasonable adjustments, workers’ compensation and managing extended absences
- Balancing operational needs with compliance under workplace health and safety, anti-discrimination and employment laws
- Strategies for effective communication, documentation and risk management to ensure fair and lawful outcomes
Presented by Kelly Ralph, Special Counsel, Russell Kennedy Pty Ltd
Chair:
Dr Steve Middleton, Principal and CEO, The Pittwater House School
Presenters
Kelly Ralph, Special Counsel, Russell KennedyKelly is an experienced employment and industrial relations practitioner with a strong understanding of commercial business drivers and objectives having worked in corporate environments before she was a lawyer. Kelly regularly presents on employment law topics for clients and at industry events. She was recognised by Doyle’s Guide in 2022 as a Rising Star in the area of Employment and WHS in Victoria.
Dr Steve Middleton, Principal, Pittwater High
Dr Middleton, who will formally begin in Term 1, 2026, is a respected educational leader with close to 30 years’ experience in Australia’s top independent schools – including The King’s School and Knox Grammar. He currently serves as Associate Principal at St Margaret’s Berwick Grammar in Melbourne, a school with a “Diamond Model” structure similar to our own – which makes him uniquely suited to lead Pittwater House’s continued growth. Named one of The Educator’s Most Influential Educators, Dr Middleton is a passionate advocate for the collective well-being and academic advancement of each student.
Register for this session only
