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
Dealing with Difficult Parents and Student Rights
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Build confidence in handling some of the most challenging aspects of school leadership in this practical, real-world session designed for new school leaders, those needing a refresher and aspiring school leaders. Led by experienced principal, Julie Calder and presented by Rachael Judge, a lawyer who advises schools in her practice. Be equipped with clear strategies to manage difficult parent interactions professionally while safeguarding student rights. Gain the knowledge and language to navigate sensitive situations, reduce risk and respond with clarity and confidence in line with your legal obligations.
Description
Attend and earn 1 CLD/CPD/PLD hour
Chair:
Julie Calder, Principal, Selwyn House School
3.30pm to 4.30pm Dealing with Difficult Parents and Student Rights
- Getting the process right: what “natural justice” looks like in practice
- Where disputes are arising: trends we’re seeing in schools
- What works: practical strategies to reduce risk and resolve issues early
Presented by Rachael Judge, Partner, Simpson Grierson; Employment and Education Law Specialist
Learning objectives:
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Gain skills to manage difficult parent interactions while upholding student rights with confidence
Presenters
Julie Calder, Principal, Selwyn House SchoolJulie 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.”
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Rachael Judge, Partner, Simpson Grierson
Rachael is a Partner in Simpson Grierson’s employment law group. Rachael advises and represents clients in all aspects of employment and education law, including both contentious and non-contentious matters. Rachael works closely with independent and state schools on matters such as terms of enrolment, student disciplinary issues, student human rights claims, school policies and the Children’s Act 2014. She also advises schools in relation to their employment agreements and staff disciplinary issues. Rachael regularly attends mediations and represents clients in Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and Human Rights Review Tribunal matters.
Register for this session only
Employment Law Essentials for Managing Staff
Wednesday, 29 July 2026
Strengthen your confidence in managing staff issues and navigating employment law in the school setting in this practical, leadership-focused session designed for new school leaders, those needing a refresher and aspiring school leaders. Gain clear guidance from an experienced school principal and employment law specialist experienced in the education space, on handling common employment challenges from performance concerns to disciplinary processes. Acquire the knowledge and practical tools to make informed decisions, meet your legal obligations and lead your team with professionalism and confidence.
Learning objective:
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Confidently manage staff issues and apply key employment law obligations in the school context
Chair:
Denise Johnson, Principal, Hut Valley High School
Description
Attend and earn 1 CLD/CPD/PLD hour
3.30pm to 4.30pm Employment Law Essentials for Managing Staff
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Key legislation, the Collective Agreements, and core legal concepts
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Common employment issues: poor performance and conduct
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Case law round up
Presented by Jessica Higgins, Senior Associate, Anderson Llyod; Employment Law Specialist; Board Member Knox and Salmond College
Presenters
Jessica Higgins, Senior Associate, Anderson Lloyd
Jessica is a Senior Associate in the Anderson Lloyd Employment Team. Jessica has almost a decade of experience advising on employment law matters. Her practice covers preparing and advising on employment agreements and policies, disciplinary and performance processes, restructures and redundancies, and personal grievance claims. She has represented clients at mediation, in the Employment Relations Authority and the Employment Court. Jessica has a particular interest in education law within the employment context and regularly advises principals and school boards.
Denise Johnson, Principal, Hutt Valley High School
Denise Johnson is the principal of Hutt Valley High School, a large co-educational secondary school with a roll of 1730 students. Denise started her teaching career in Southland at Menzies College. She then taught for 3 years at various schools in London before returning to New Zealand in 1990. Denise was a Deputy Principal at Wellington Girls’ College and Wellington High School before joining the leadership team at HVHS as an Associate Principal in 2012. She co-led the school with the late Ross Sinclair for 8 years. Denise is a trustee and founding member of the Wellington Loop. She is interested in the transformative power of collaboration between educators and schools in order to build teacher capability and to develop innovative thinking and practice.
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Best Practice School Governance and Dealing with the Board
Wednesday, 5 August 2026
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.
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.”
Register for this session only
