HALT Reimagined: How NSW Schools Are Recognising Excellence Through the HALT Talent Pipeline

In this episode of Professional Learnings for Leaders in Education, host Drew Janetzki speaks with Krystal Bevin, Coordinator of the HALT Talent Pipeline at the NSW Department of Education. Together, they explore how the Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation process has been completely redesigned, making recognition more accessible, achievable, and aligned to real classroom practice.

Krystal unpacks how the new HALT model removes barriers, reduces workload, and strengthens school culture by recognising teachers who demonstrate expert practice every day. She highlights the dramatic surge in applications across NSW, the role of the HALT Hub, and the practical ways principals can support and celebrate excellence in their staff.

This episode is essential listening for principals wanting to grow capability, lift professional identity, and embed a culture of instructional leadership in their school.

In This Episode:
• How the HALT accreditation process has changed
• What’s driving the surge in applications across NSW
• The role of the HALT Hub and statewide community of practice
• How principals can identify, support, and mentor potential HALTs
• How HALT aligns with the School Excellence Framework and school improvement
• Practical steps for getting started in 2025 and 2026. Links for Listeners:
HALT Accreditation (NESA):
https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/teacher-accreditation/halt-accreditation

HALT Hub (NSW DoE):
https://edu.nsw.link/haltcop

Department of Education – HALT Information:
https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/human-resources/learning/highly-accomplished-and-lead-teachers

Email the HALT Team:
HALTaccreditation@det.nsw.edu.au

About our guest Krystal Bevin

Krystal Bevin is an experienced and strategic educational leader with 25 years in the NSW Department of Education, currently serving as the Coordinator of the HALT Talent Pipeline. In this statewide role she leads a framework of high-level support, advice, and contextualised resources for teachers and leaders working towards Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher accreditation. Her work focuses on strengthening teacher quality, system leadership, and professional learning in ways that are practical for schools to integrate and embed within existing processes and practices.

Krystal’s leadership spans a wide range of contexts, including remote Aboriginal communities, Central schools, and selective settings. As Principal of West Wallsend High School for the past five years, her focus on high expectations, strong support, and a deep sense of belonging has contributed to significant whole-school improvement. The school has received multiple state and national accolades, including the NSW Secretary’s Award for an Outstanding School Initiative and recognition as one of The Educator’s Top 50 Innovative Schools.

Krystal is committed to ensuring that school leaders have access to relevant supports that work in real school settings. She is deeply committed to equitable access to professional learning and career-growth opportunities, and to

Links and References:

To view our Professional Learning Offerings, visit:
https://www.nswppa.org.au/professional-learning

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