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Guardian gathers leaders together for annual conference event
Freya Lucas
Sep 28, 2023
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Leaders from across the Guardian network gathered in Melbourne at the start of this month for a two day conference event known as Inspire.Aspire.2023.
The annual conference event sees The Centre Manager plus one guest from each centre attend, along with members of the Network Team, Quality & Curriculum team and the People & Culture team.
The top two finalists from each award category will also be invited to the Aspires Awards night - an annual Awards event which recognises and celebrates high achievers from across the network.
Following an official welcome from Guardian CEO Warren Bright delegates were broken into teams, competing against each other to create the best guacamole, an exercise which Guardian said showcased the importance of sharing a vision to create a premium experience for families.
Mr Bright asked delegates to consider what they aspired to be, and to reflect on the qualities of an inspirational leader. He highlighted the difference between doing a job well and “aspiring to inspire,” noting that a leader who is able to inspire their team will also be able to impact thousands of children’s lives.
Inspire: to fill someone with confidence and desire to do somethingAspire: to want something very much or hope to achieve something or be successful
A core theme that emerged was that leaders who show kindness foster a positive and productive work environment.Through kindness, ordinary people can be inspirational leaders.
On day two of the conference, attention was turned to high-quality teaching practice. Delegates were asked by the Quality Leadership Council to consider the provocation “What if our image of child and team were the same?”
Guest speaker Rachael Robertson gave an inspiring keynote ‘Leading on the Edge’, covering leadership insights from her year-long experience in Antarctica.
Guardian Coopers Plains presented a session which shared their cultural inclusivity journey, including training in Cultural Insights and the Koori Curriculum, and embedding these in their daily practice.
The Conference also featured the highly anticipated Aspires Awards, a showcase of talent and passion from across the network.
The 2023 Aspires Centre Team of the Year Award went to Kinfolk Albury in NSW (North region) and Truganina in VIC (South region).
"For the second year running, our Conference was a vibrant hub for knowledge exchange, where educators can learn about the newest trends, methodologies, and technologies in early education,” a Guardian representative said.
“(These events) provide opportunities to connect with other people in the network, fostering collaborative relationships and a sense of community. Additionally, exposure to a diverse range of ideas and perspectives will no doubt spark innovation, inspire creative solutions, and encourage continual growth and development in a field that truly makes a positive impact on thousands of lives each day.”
Learn more about Guardian Childcare & Education here.
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