Navigate the complexities of school governance with greater clarity and confidence. Gain clear guidance on understanding your governance responsibilities and working effectively with your board. Take away tips and practical insights to support informed decision-making, strengthen relationships, and ensure your school meets its governance obligations with confidence. Be guided by and experienced school principal and legal expert.
Wednesday, 5 August 2026
Description
Attend and earn 1 CLD/CPD/PLD hour
Chair:
Julie Calder, Principal, Selwyn House School
Learning objective:
-
Navigate governance responsibilities and work effectively with your school board
3.30pm to 4.30pm Optimising the Performance of your School Board
Practical tips and strategies from the trenches:
- The role of the Board
- Governance/management divide
- How the Principal and Board work together
- Code of Conduct for School Board members
- Importance of policies and procedures
- What can go wrong
- Practical tips in order to avoid and address issues
Presented by Madeleine Hawkesby, Employed Barrister, Amy Keir Barrister
Presenters
Madeleine Hawkesby, Employed Barrister, Amy Keir BarristerMadeleine Hawkesby is a Barrister who specialises in Employment Law and Education Law. Before that she worked as Special Counsel at Duncan Cotterill, a national law firm. She has acted and currently acts for a number of schools and has been appointed as a Limited Statutory Manager and / or Commissioner by the Ministry of Education in 8 different schools across the South Island (covering primary, secondary and area schools). Consequently, Madeleine has significant depth and breadth of experience in the education sector. She draws on that legal knowledge and practical experience to present engaging and insightful presentations which empower school leaders.
Julie Calder, Principal, Selwyn House School
Julie Calder is an experienced teacher, leader and principal with over 25 years of experience across state and independent school settings. After 25 years of teaching at Cashmere Primary School, she was appointed the Head of the Junior School at St Margarent’s College in 2015. In 2022, she was appointed Principal of Selwyn House School, an independent girls’ school that covers pre-school to year 8. Julie is passionate about ensuring learning is built around making positive, healthy connections, which are focused on collaboration in a safe and empathetic environment. Julie is committed to continuous professional development and lifelong learning. She has a Bachelor of Education and has furthered her development as an educational career professional with a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with First Class Honours. Her continual desire to learn is evident in her personal mantra, “seek to understand.”
This seminar is part of a series
Education Law and School Governance Fundamentals Series
Build confidence in your leadership and navigate the legal realities of the principal role with clarity through this practical three-part Education Law and Governance Fundamentals series. Designed for new and aspiring principals, each focused one-hour webinar delivers essential, real-world guidance on managing difficult parent interactions while upholding student rights, addressing staff issues within an employment law framework, and working effectively with your board to meet governance obligations while achieving the best outcomes. Led by experienced principals and legal experts who advise schools and boards within their practice, this series equips you with the knowledge, language, and practical strategies you need to make sound decisions, reduce risk, and lead your school community with confidence.
Description
Attend the entire series and earn 3 CLP/CPD/PLD Hours
Legalwise Seminars Education Law Programmes are included in the Principal Development Plan list of Courses and Programmes on the Education Workforce website
View series listing
