LSA President’s message May 2026

Hi everyone! I trust that you have had an awesome start to the new term I am happy to report that the LSA’s membership has grown to 401 memberships in 2026 compared to 371 in 2025. Of the 401 memberships there are 11 student/retired members – so there are 390 school members.

LSA Annual State Conference 2026

Jennifer Venhuizen and Justine Hanks utilised a broad range of skills and contacts to create a conference program like no other. Jen’s organisation skills, ability to timetable presenters to rooms in a new venue and determination with the actual program were amazing. Justine’s ability to think of an invite engaging & informative speakers along with handling of the logistics (venue liaison & catering) was top class.

They were supported well by Treasurer, Judy MacDonald (who organised all of the payment, accommodation and donations on behalf of speakers) along with Deputy President, Teresa O’Dwyer who looked after the scholarships for rural and regional members.

With the conference organisers…

Behind the scenes Malynda Price and our PTC office secretariat were assisting all of our conference organisers and helping out with registration for both days of the conference.

Thanks to all of our committee members who presented workshops/sessions at this year’s conference: Lauren Goodsell, Genya Sugowdz, Justine Hanks, Lisa Smith, Rachel Taylor, Teresa O’Dwyer, Priscilla Issa, Pamela Rahmi, Evette Jaajaa, Diega LaGrassa, Nick Fernandez, Ros Murton, Natasha Isbel and Natalie Tan. I would also like to thank our other committee members for assisting over the two days of conference: Judy MacDonald, Brian Elliott, Hannah Hudson and Tony Stone. Jen’s practicum teacher, Josh, also provided roving mic and tech support over the two days!

Further, this year we had Amber Mah, one of our talented members, offer to present to the conference! Amber was a natural and provided lots of good strategies to the membership. We also had another member, David Martin, return to present on his specialty area. If you are a member who would like to present on a particular area or have suggestions on a presentation please contact us for consideration.

As always, everyone looked forward to Life member, Wayne Gleeson’s update on Criminal Law. Wayne never disappoints! Another amazing Life Member, Kate Kempthorne also spoke to conference about the long-awaited new syllabus!

Lauren Goodsell	Jennifer Venhuizen with Matt Killingsworth	Teresa O’Dwyer with Hugh de Kresta

Many conference participants have contacted the LSA about NESA accreditation and certificates for the conference. Justine has come up with these standards matched to the conference for you to use. You can keep your conference program, receipt, lanyard and the standards either in e-Tams or in your own file in the event that you get audited. If you would also like a certificate, please contact our office at lsa.admin@ptc.nsw.edu.au and let us know which day/s you attended and one of the team will send you a conference participation certificate.

Standards:

Standard 2 – Know the Content and how to teach it.

2.1.2 – Apply knowledge of the content and teaching strategies of the teaching area to develop engaging teaching activities

2.5.2 – Apply knowledge and understanding of effective teaching strategies to support students’ literacy and numeracy achievement

Standard 3 – Plan for and implement effective teaching and learning

3.3.2 Select and use relevant teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking

3.4.2 Select and/or create and use a range of resources, including ICT, to engage students in their learning.

Standard 6 – Engage in professional learning

6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.

6.4.2 Undertake professional learning programs designed to address identified student learning needs.

Standard 7 – Engage professionally with colleagues, parents/carers and the community

7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

Genya Sugowdz	Wayne Gleeson	Presenting Natasha Isbel with her IELA award

Life member, Brian Elliott, said it was our best conference ever and I hope that you enjoyed it, the new venue and got a lot out of our conference speakers. The next Legal Briefs will have some follow up articles from conference.

Priscilla Issa	Evette Jaajaa with Professor Catherine Renshaw	Justine Hanks with Dr Vincent Hurley

Upcoming events

Registrations for the New Syllabus Workshop have closed. Registrations are open for the lecture days.

LSA Examinations

Our much sought after LSA exams, which are provided to you as part of your LSA membership, will be out later this term.

I will be on leave from June 21^st to July 21^st taking a vacation to Spain and Italy. Jennifer Venhuizen will step into the chair of LSA President for that month. Jen can be contacted either through the president’s email or the office email.

Have a great term ahead!

Keith Thomas

LSA President.