A LOCAL principal will have the opportunity to expand her leadership skills after she was one of a select few chosen for a prestigious scholarship.
Harrisdale Primary School principal Karen Duncan was one of just three in Australia to receive a 2019 Principals Scholarship, giving her the chance to travel to the Harvard Graduate School of Education to participate in a program designed to build the skills of educational leaders.
Ms Duncan said she felt “incredibly fortunate and privileged” to be recognised in this way.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“I believe in continuous, lifelong learning and I genuinely get excited hearing about the wonderful things going on in education so to be included in a group of worldwide educators meeting to discuss and learn about current research and practice, at such an esteemed university, is definitely a career highlight,” she said.
“The opportunity to meet, discuss, workshop, listen to and read about current research and practice with a group of international principals and the professors from Harvard University will be a remarkable experience.
“I feel honoured to be leading a wonderful school, Harrisdale Primary School, and the support from my team and the local community has been overwhelming.”
Department of Education director general Lisa Rodgers said Ms Duncan was an impressive leader and deserving of the accolade.
“Karen’s leadership, focus on education research and her commitment to keeping students at the heart of everything she does has seen Harrisdale Primary School skyrocket in popularity in the past four years since it opened,” she said.
“She has had a real impact on the learning and opportunities for local kids.”