Reflecting Hope Together
Welcome to 2026!
Thank you for the warm welcome I have received, and for the invitations to visit our Lutheran Schools and early learning centres around Australia. It is my hope to visit all our schools over the next 18 months.
I am also very grateful for the support of the LEA Team, BLEA and Regional Directors as I transition into the role of Executive Director.
Working in the new Church House in Frome St, Adelaide is proving to be a great opportunity to engage with other agencies of the LCA to explore ways of us working together more closely in partnership into the future.
Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the survey for our symposium being held in March. This is a chance for LEA and our regions to come together, step back, and look ahead together. It’s about listening well, sharing what we’re seeing on the ground, and learning from one another as we think about the future of Lutheran education.
It’s an opportunity to ask good questions, strengthen relationships, and imagine what’s possible when we work collaboratively and with hope.
Keep this day and the people involved in it in your prayers.
Read on to hear about hope and balconies, and how the two might be more critical to your mission as a Lutheran educator than you might think.
Jodie Hoff
Executive Director
Welcome, new principals!
Term 1 is now underway in all Lutheran schools across the country. We're joined by over a dozen principals who are starting this year in new roles.
As we seek to reflect hope together throughout the coming year, LEA would like to acknowledge the invaluable work of all Lutheran school principals, new and returning, and those who are stepping into the role as acting or interim principals. We know it can be both rewarding and challenging, but always important. Thank you for your service and all that you give to your school communities.
Growing as Leaders - free online learning now available
The second online module in the Growing as Leaders series is now live and available on the ALC iLearn platform. These free, self‑paced modules can be accessed at any time and contribute to your ongoing accreditation hours. Module 2, Growing Oneself, focuses on the first of the Growing Deep capabilities, exploring our capacity to build self‑awareness, deepen faith, and learn and adapt. The module includes eight standalone lessons supported by resources, readings, and guest speakers who are current leaders in Lutheran schools. This module, along with Series 1, The Lutheran Lens, are available now on iLearn. Find out more about this module, here.
ICSEI Dialogic 2026 -
Focus on early childhood education
The International Congress for School Effectiveness and Improvement (ICSEI) has launched the first 2026 Dialogic publication, Early Childhood Education and Care: Exploring the Potential for Promoting Children’s Lifelong Learning, Well‑Being, and Sense of Belonging. You can read more and access the publication here.
Leading Lutheran Identity Workshops
The Leading Lutheran Identity workshops, run by LEA and each region, are designed to give current and aspiring Lutheran education leaders the opportunity to reflect on the 'Lutheran-ness' of their learning community and explore how each of us contributes to the unique ethos of Lutheran schools and services.
Storytelling Reimagined: The Way of the Lutherans
What began as a vision to capture our history has evolved into a landmark initiative. This year, LESNW is officially launching an eight-day, 150 km pilgrimage, a project that transforms our heritage into a living, breathing resource for personal and professional formation. Read more.
ENGAGE: a new program
ENGAGE is a new professional learning program of 3 x 60-minute workshops, currently being developed for non-teaching and non-ministry staff employed in Lutheran education. In 2026, ENGAGE is being trialled with Regional Office staff and some Early Years centres and schools. Expressions of interest for participating in these trials will be shared during term 2.
Free to Flourish update
It has been exciting to see the uptake of Free to Flourish after ACLE7 in more Lutheran education communities with increased orders of cards and posters. If you haven’t yet done so, please complete the survey sent from your Regional Office to help shape this work for 2026. Our Free to Flourish website provides access to digital cards, videos, graphics, icons and the song.
Keep sharing your Free to Flourish stories of engagement with colleagues and Regional Office leaders.
Christian Studies curriculum project
The Christian Studies Curriculum Design and Writing Group continues to shape a refreshed and future-focused Christian Studies curriculum. As shared in eNews in December 2025, we have scheduled a number of intensive writing blocks in 2026. In February, the Design and Writing Group will work in New Zealand for the first intensive writing block to ensure the most effective use of our collective time, travel and financial resources. This provides opportunity for national and regional leaders, and our New Zealand based international consultant Andrea Muller, to dedicate focussed time to the development of the curriculum.
Weekly updates are being shared via the LEA Facebook page and through Regional Office communications during term 1.
Connect feedback for teachers, principals
and content facilitators
In response to requests by Principals and Connect facilitators, a new feedback loop is being strongly encouraged from February 2026.
Connect ePortfolios
Thank you for accommodating your staff to attend Connect and submit their ePortfolios, as they work towards their Accreditation as a teacher (At). Please know that due to several factors (larger numbers of submissions, office closure, markers on leave), we currently have a significant backlog of Connect ePortfolios being assessed. We ask for your patience and anticipate responses will be timely by the start of term 2.
2026 International Confederation of Principals
Conference Invitation
We are delighted to invite you to represent Lutheran Education Australia as part of a special delegation at the upcoming International Confederation of Principals Convention 2026, taking place in September in New Zealand.
Introduction to Ministry in Lutheran Education:
3-day workshop
This workshop is a requirement for ministry staff in your school who have not attended previously, and as they work towards their Accreditation for Ministry (Am) in Lutheran Education.
For more information on Accreditation for Ministry (Am), visit Accreditation for ministry under 'Staff'. EOIs for this workshop are being received until Friday 20 February. Please note that this workshop may not be offered again until 2028.
Good Shepherd College, Hamilton VIC
Seeking an experienced, visionary and passionate educational leader to guide the next exciting chapter in the College’s story. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a flourishing P–12 school and inspire a vibrant Christian learning community. Find out more below.
- Principal – Good Shepherd College (P–12) Job in Hamilton VIC
- Teachers On Net - Job Vacancy: Principal | Good Shepherd College
St John’s Lutheran Primary School, Portland VIC
St John’s Lutheran Primary School is seeking an outstanding educator and visionary leader to serve as Principal starting in Semester 2, 2026. Located on a beautiful 10-acre site in the historic coastal town of Portland, Victoria, our school provides an inspiring, Christ-centered education for approximately 123 students from Foundation to Year 6. Find out more below.
You are receiving LEA eNews because you are a leader in Lutheran Education in Australia or you have signed up to receive it. To unsubscribe, click here. To change your email address, click here. To sign up to other Lutheran Church of Australia eNews, click here.
139 Frome Street Adelaide SA 5000
08 8267 7318
lea@lutheran.edu.au
www.lutheran.edu.au