THREE principals from the Armadale region have been selected to study at prestigious Harvard University in June to learn from some of the world’s best educators as part of a $631,700 two-year program.
The foundation principal of the Harrisdale Secondary College, which is set to open next year, Leila Bothams, Challis Community Primary School Principal Lee Musumeci and Piara Waters Primary School Principal Cheryl Parkin will join 17 other principals from WA public schools for a six-day intensive course in Boston.
They will then undertake a further yearlong online learning and mentoring program with education experts.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWEducation Minister Peter Collier said Harvard was chosen because of its international reputation for excellence in school leadership development.
“The Harvard experience offers a rare opportunity for Western Australian principals to explore leadership in partnership directly with their counterparts from around the world,” Mr Collier said.
“The modern principal not only needs to be an exceptional leader, but an entrepreneur with the vision to drive new ideas.”
Mr Collier said the principals had been chosen because they had made outstanding contributions to public education.
They would provide expertise in future reform and innovation across all public schools, including their own after completing the course.
The total cost of the two-year fellowship program, with another 20 principals to be selected in 2017, is $631,700 with the Federal Government contributing 75 per cent of the cost and the State Government 25 per cent.
Ms Bothams was the principal of Rossmoyne Senior High School from 2006 to 2015 before establishing the new secondary school in Harrisdale.
“I believe in the value of developing teacher leaders who provide strong curriculum and instructional leadership,” she said.
Ms Musumeci has been the principal at Challis for the past 11 years and has a relentless passion to improve the “life outcomes of children” in the community.
Ms Parkin was the foundation principal of Piara Waters Primary School since it opened in 2012 and has developed a school-wide professional learning community.
.