Principals Fear Being Set Up for Investigations

From time to time Principals and leaders alike can be presented with challenges or matters within education which can only be resolved with legal advice and/or representation. I was fortunate enough to be a member of SASSLA when I needed legal representation. The SASSLA team not only helped with providing me access to their legal advisors; they also made regular contact with me, providing much needed moral support and professional advice. Thanks SASSLA

Joining SASSLA has afforded me the greatest level of professional support I could possibly have hoped for. It provided me the opportunity to be heard meaningfully and with the assumption of good intent. The Association has shown great expertise in both legal and departmental processes, as well as holding clear understandings about management and site context. I will continue to appreciate their professional network and membership.

As a principal, we can find ourselves in circumstances beyond that which we expected or are prepared for. One such event occurred to me creating much concern and pressure. Fortunately, SASSLA was there ensuring a positive outcome which has seen me back doing what I love; educating our state's future.

SASSLA is the sounding board school leaders need.  It is unfortunate that principals and other leaders need this type of protection but when needed it is efficient, supportive and acted on in a timely manner.  SASSLA provides a highly confidential service through email, phone conversations or site visits.  This organisation provides independent legal advice for a group of educators who experience common issues and are open to litigation.

Whilst other associations and the Department talk about leader well-being, it has only been SASSLA who has provided the care, concern and professional guidance for me over the past two years. As leaders we often hear of others enduring stressful times and it is easy to gossip, dismiss or think it won’t happen to us and walk away. I hope no-one has to endure what I have, but if you do, you can’t afford not to belong to SASSLA.

I see my SASSLA membership as a type of insurance policy. It’s my support network to fall back on in possible times of crisis. Knowing that I have legal assistance a phone call away and financial assistance with legal costs gives me peace of mind. It’s reassuring to know that I have genuine peer support now and throughout my future career.

Without the support of SASSLA I would not have stayed connected to and be continuing in my chosen and much loved career.  It is so important that Principals have the full support and confidence of the Department.  My very public legal case highlighted the fragility of the system when support and confidence dissipates in the face of political interference, media attacks and intolerance.  SASSLA gave me support and encouragement during a very difficult time and when it seemed that no-one else would listen