ABSA has been holding conferences for many years. See below to access many of the papers presented at previous conferences.
Excellence is a quality we all strive for in our work, and this year’s conference was themed to give all staff working in boarding the chance to develop their skills and understanding of their profession.
It was such a great success - some of the comments received include "Some of the highlights for me were, of course, such pertinent and eloquent speakers (it was a joy to sit and listen to thinking and information so integral to our business and to be surrounded by one’s peers), the interactive sessions, the two very enjoyable dinners and the agenda itself. I have been to so many seminars where one sits and listens from early morning to late evening, day after day. I was therefore, delighted and refreshed to find that we had three ½ days and really only one full day. I think it gave me time to think and to consider how I could use the information in my Boarding College", "The program was just great, the venue excellent and my accommodation just perfect. I really enjoyed the Canberra experience and dinner at Parliament was very special." and "The speakers were varied, interesting and informative; the catering was delicious and the two Conference Dinners were outstanding. The highlight for me was the opportunity to meet and talk with such a diverse group of educators. Every conversation was stimulating and I have returned to Melbourne with my head full of new ideas. To use our final speaker – the conference certainly gave me clarity and control, a chance not to be sleep deprived, a positive outlook, perspective, a chance to build positive relationships, an opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses and definitely an appreciation of the good things that have happened to me."
Thanks to all who attended.
GETTING TO THE CRUX OF MANAGING AND LEADING BOARDING HOUSES
During 2009 ABSA ran a one day seminar in major boarding centres across the country, featuring the recent work of Michael Carr-Gregg - information is available from the links below.
Download Mark McCrindle's presentation
Download Michael Carr-Gregg's keynote presentation
Download Michael Carr-Gregg's workshop presentation
Download Tim Hawkes' presentation
Download Dr Tim Sharp's presentation
Download Brad Papworth's presentation
Download Andrew Penfold's presentation
Download Simon Shepherd's presentation
Download David Pyman's presentation
9:00am Welcome and Orientation - Who are we and What are we here for?
9:30am What Heads Want - The role of a Leader in a Boarding Community - Garth Wynne, Chairman of ABSA and Headmaster of Christ Church Grammar School, Perth.
10:30am Morning Tea
11:00am The Trials and Tribulations of Being a Leader - Pauline Turner, Head of Boarding, Presbyterian Ladies' College, Sydney
11:45am Changing Schools - Understanding a New Culture - Madonna Hennessy, Director of Boarding Services, St Peters Lutheran College, Brisbane
12:30pm Lunch
1:30pm Working with your Managers - Tina Campbell, Head of Boarding, St Mary's Anglican Girls School, Perth
2:15pm The Importance of PD for your staff - Linda Evans, Principal, Fairholme College, Toowoomba
3:00pm Afternoon tea
3:30pm Developing the On-Campus Community - Chris Beechey, Director of Boarding, Ballarat Grammar
4:15pm Leading Your Staff - Darren Roylett, Head of Boarding, Prince Alfred College, Adelaide
5:00pm Free time
6:30pm Dinner at Brisbane International, Virginia
9:00am Managing Risk in Boarding - Lesa Fowler, Head of Boarding, St Margaret's Anglican Girls School, Brisbane
9:45am Developing Student Leadership - Dan Brown, Dean of Boarding, The Southport School
10:30am Morning Tea
11:00am Where Has Boarding Come From? - Ros Lindsay, Board Member, Tasmania
11:45am What ABSA can offer you - Richard Stokes, Executive Director
12:30pm Conclusion and lunch
9:00am Welcome and Orientation - Who are we and What are we here for? Tell us about your leadership journey to date.
9:30am The role of a Leader in a Boarding Community - Garth Wynne
11:00am Morning Tea
11:30am Changing Schools - Understanding a New Culture and knowing what to change - Simon Shepherd
1:00pm Lunch
1:45pm Managing a Crisis - Tina Campbell and Pauline Turner
2:45pm The Importance of PD for your Staff - Sue Collister
3:45pm Afternoon tea
4:15pm Leading Your Staff - Darren Roylett
5:15pm Day concludes
6:30pm for 7pm Dinner - hotel venue
9:00am Managing Risk in Boarding - Lesa Fowler
10:00am Developing Student Leadership - Dan Brown
11:00am Morning Tea
11:30am Where Has Boarding Come From? - Ros Lindsay
12:00noon What ABSA can offer you - Richard Stokes/Tom Dunsmore
12:45pm Conclusion and lunch