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25 June 2026 | Dainfern College, Johannesburg

“When relationships come first, boundaries become acts of care rather than control.” This sentiment beautifully captured the essence of the 2026 SAALED Annual Seminar, where South African educators gathered to explore how meaningful relationships and clear expectations work together to create learning environments in which both students and teachers can flourish.

Held on 25 June 2026 at Dainfern College, Johannesburg, the annual seminar once again fulfilled SAALED’s commitment to providing high-quality professional development that addresses relevant and contemporary topics for teachers and educational leaders across all contexts of South African education. The day offered delegates the opportunity to engage with leading voices in education, reflect on current practice and leave equipped with practical strategies to strengthen teaching and learning.

This year’s theme, “Boundaries with Heart,” invited educators to reconsider the role of boundaries, not as barriers, but as opportunities to build trust, belonging and meaningful relationships. Throughout the day, a common thread emerged: effective education is rooted in authentic human connection. As Professor Jonathan Jansen so powerfully described it, this is a “pedagogy of love”, an approach that recognises that care, respect, and high expectations are inseparable from meaningful learning.

Our recent webinar with Kolean Padayachi offered a powerful and practical exploration of burnout within the educational context. The session unpacked how prolonged stress, emotional labour, and blurred boundaries can gradually impact both wellbeing and professional effectiveness.

Kolean helped participants identify what burnout can look like in everyday school life and highlighted why achieving balance is often more complex than it appears. Importantly, she shared practical, evidence-based strategies to support educators in recognising unhelpful patterns early and taking steps toward healthier, more sustainable ways of working.

The webinar left participants with actionable tools to strengthen boundaries, restore balance, and prioritise long-term wellbeing—both personally and professionally.

The first webinar of 2026 was an astonishing success! We were thrilled to welcome over 100 participants who joined us for this exciting and engaging mathematics session.

A special thank you to the three team members from Cedarwood Preparatory School for hosting such a captivating and well-presented webinar. Your enthusiasm and dedication truly made the session memorable.

Congratulations to our prize winners:

• 3rd Prize: Venessa Pitt – Carlswald House Preparatory School
• 2nd Prize: Laurienne Calvert – Redhill
• 1st Prize: Hannah Said

Thank you, ladies, for your outstanding answers and active participation — well done!

Once again, thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this webinar such a fantastic start to the year. We look forward to many more successful sessions ahead!

Our annual get-together was a truly memorable occasion and was enjoyed by all. Board members took part in a sip-and-paint team-building experience, providing a refreshing opportunity to step into the shoes of our learners. The session was filled with laughter, shared ideas, moments of self-doubt, and reassurance-seeking from the artist — experiences that strongly reflect what our children often feel in the classroom. This hands-on experience offered a powerful reminder of who we are as an organisation: we recognise that everyone learns differently, and we proudly celebrate the diversity of both the learning journey and the outcomes achieved.