Thursday, 10 September 2026
Family Law Toolkit for Principals and School Leaders
Separation, family violence, and other family law issues can come to school with tamariki and rangatahi. Parents, lawyers, and agencies can seek to involve teachers and principals. Equip yourself to best deal with these complex situations and gain an understanding of:
- An overview of the family law system and its different parts
- Court orders: what to look for
- What information schools need to provide, even when a parent does not have care of their child
- Practical tips for principals when dealing with separated or separating parents
Presented by Louisa Jackson, Barrister, Kate Sheppard Chambers
Description
Attend and earn 1 PLD/CPD Hour
This Session is included in the Te Mahere Whanake Tumuaki Principal Development Plan list of Courses and Programmes on the Education Workforce website.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the key aspects of the family law system relevant to schools, including how to interpret and respond to court orders affecting tamariki and rangatahi
- Apply practical strategies when dealing with separated or separating parents, information requests and family law issues that arise in the school environment
Chair
Simon Kenny, Principal, Fergusson Intermediate School
Presenters
Simon Kenny, Principal, Fergusson Intermediate School
Simon has taught in a number of schools in Wellington and was the Principal of a small contributing School (Birchville School) before winning the Principal position at Fergusson Intermediate where he has been for the past 9 years. Leading the school community has been a huge privilege and opportunity to learn and grow. Simon’s wife is also a Principal and they have a 19 year old son who went to both of their schools as a young student before escaping to college and who is now at Massey University. Simon is passionate about equitable education and empowering all of our amazing young people. He works in a high energy environment and absolutely loves his school, his team and his community.
Louisa Jackson, Barrister, Kate Sheppard Chambers
Louisa Jackson is a specialist family law barrister. She advises and represents clients in all areas of family law, with a special interest in relationship property, estate claims, incapacity issues, relocation, and matters relating to children. Louisa regularly appears in the Family Court and High Court and receives appointments as Counsel to Assist and Lawyer to Assist the Court. Prior to becoming a barrister, Louisa was an associate at a specialist family law firm in Wellington, and Crown Counsel at the Crown Law Office. She has a first-class Honours degree in Law, a bachelor’s degree in social policy, and has published articles relating to relationship property, child protection, and mental health.
