2001 Executive Committee Members Plaque

In recognition of the first Executive Committee of The Legal Fund of State School Leaders Inc, established in 2001 and with a starting membership of 60 school leaders.

Their work in establishing the Legal Fund ensured that State School Leaders had legal support specifically tailored for their needs and interests.

Their commitment, dedication and ambition saw the idea of a leaders’ legal fund grow into the South Australian State School Leaders Association. Now 500 members strong in 2019, the inaugural Executive Committee was the impetus of SASSLA’s success today.

The Inaugural 2001 Executive Committee Members

Jeff Wait Principal Largs Bay Primary School	Marion Coady Deputy Principal Reynella East High School
Graeme Webster Assistant Principal Hamilton Secondary College	Les Graham Principal Blackwood Primary School
Ross Joel Deputy Principal Largs Bay Primary School	Jaci Hockley Principal Coromandel Valley Primary School
Bev Rogers Principal Fremont-Elizabeth High School	Kym Rothe Principal Reynella Primary School
Peter Mitchell Principal Reynella East High School	Geoff Rogers Principal Woodcroft Primary School
Anne Kibble Principal Craigburn Primary School	Giulietta Romeo Principal Enfield High School

Testimonials

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.

Ilia Tsoutouras, Education Director

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Ilia Tsoutouras, Education Director

I became a member of SASSLA in my first year as a Primary School Principal. The immediate and responsive support I received from Phil O'Loughlin and the entire team provided me with the skills and knowledge required to navigate some complex decision making and change management. Balancing the needs and entitlements of students and staff with the expectations of the wider community provided many challenges. SASSLA's expertise and understanding of the Department’s policies and procedures provided me with the foundation and confidence to navigate these challenges. Their unconditional support and advice was instrumental in achieving positive outcomes for our school community. I can't thank them enough and recommend membership to all leaders.

Adam Blakely, Principal

I have been a SASSLA member for 20 years and have found their assistance invaluable as a school leader and even more so now that I am moving into a new role as an Education Director. It has been reassuring to know that I have access to expert advice in stressful times and someone to talk to who gives an impartial voice on leadership issues. The service I received from Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers was brilliant. They are highly experienced in Departmental policies and procedures and assisted me during a very vulnerable time. I am glad I made the switch 20 years ago!

Deb O'Neill, Education Director

I have been a SASSLA member for over 15 years and worked in both country and metropolitan schools. I have always appreciated SASSLA’s strong advocacy work on behalf of all leaders. I am fortunate to have experienced the compassion, support, and expert advice of SASSLA’s Chief Executive, Phil O’Loughlin, in partnership with the legal support of Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers, during a challenging professional time. I highly recommend SASSLA to education leaders.

Matt Saunders, Principal

SASSLA has been a necessary and valued support, especially during a period of extreme work based trauma. I have found Mardi Barry’s assistance to be prompt, approachable and most understanding and the advice from Amber Sprague at TGB Lawyers enabled me to negotiate leave and workers compensation to ensure an eventual return to good health.

I have been impressed by the professionalism of Phil O’Loughlin and Leanne James who enable the voices of rural leaders to be heard and valued. Their tireless work in seriously rethinking the role, workload and issues of principals will make an enormous difference for future leaders.

Lesley Okholm, Principal

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.

Lynne-Maree Hastings, Principal

As a principal, you can often feel under siege when battling vexatious complaints, whether it be responding to Ministerials, mediating conflict in the workplace or managing underperforming staff. I received very little support from other sources and only ever felt like SASSLA appreciated the effort I was making to provide children with a quality education which they deserve.SASSLA understands the pressures and the unique conditions that school leaders experience daily. Without SASSLA’s support and guidance, I am not sure how I would have made it through these complex situations. The work SASSLA does is invaluable, and I encourage school leaders to join and be protected and supported by SASSLA.

Catherine Cox-Walliss, former Principal

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.

Betty Elsworthy, Preschool Director

Being a member of SASSLA provides me with support and care as a Preschool Director. The representation of early childhood education within the Association is a priority as is the challenges associated with this leadership role. SASSLA has been instrumental in working with other Associations to discuss Directors’ workload and the Enterprise Agreement around the 24 hour face to face teaching time. My issues and concerns are always addressed promptly and in particular Phil O’Loughlin has always ensured my wellbeing is of the utmost importance. I would recommend membership to all Preschool Directors as the personalised representation and recognition of our work is a key focus.

Nicole Otto, Preschool Director

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

Sue Burtenshaw, Principal

My SASSLA membership is an essential, professional investment in a service and resource I could not go without. Knowing I can make a call to SASSLA enables immediate communication to take place in a confidential and reassuring context when faced with unforeseen challenges. They actively listen with clarity and provide recommendations of action during conversations. All matters are dealt with great sensitivity and care.

Dina Zunis, Principal
Primary Principal of the Year 2021

The Inaugural 2001 Executive Committee Members

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