During the April term break 18 teachers in the South East, along with their principals, participated in a 2-day program entitled ‘Leading from Within’.
The program acknowledges the importance of identifying, supporting and developing a diverse range of leaders working in three of our Catholic schools in the South East.
The target group for this program were teachers who have positions of responsibility in addition to a classroom teaching program as well as other high performing classroom teachers aspiring to or being encouraged to undertake leadership roles within their individual school settings. The program provided an opportunity for individuals to self-reflect about their leadership capabilities, and to make a contribution to the shared direction of their school and the broader Catholic Education system.
The program involved four distinct phases utilising acknowledged approaches and modalities to leadership development. These included self-reflection; peer collaboration; coaching; direct application to a participant’s work through action research; mentoring and access to expert knowledge, evidence and quality research.
“I would like to acknowledge the support of the three Principals, David Mezinec, Amanda Parslow and Maureen Hanrahan who have worked closely with Catholic Education South Australia and The Brown Collective to ensure the success of this program and their commitment to the continued development of leaders in the South East,” said Phil Holmes, Senior Education Adviser.
“In all aspects of life the need for outstanding leadership is immutable. The evidence is equally compelling that in high performing schools, school sectors and systems we have wonderful leaders-talented passionate individuals who hold at the heart of their work a deep sense of moral purpose. Do these outstanding educational leaders emerge by osmosis or chance? Some do but the vast majority don’t. They develop and continue to refine their practices through coaching, mentoring, undertaking action research, undertaking different leadership roles and engaging in professional learning opportunities. Such leaders strive to be the best leaders they can be and have a shared commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people”.
Dr Stephen Brown- ‘The Brown Collective’
Grace Jobson is a Year 11 student at Thomas More College. Her poem – Passed and Past – has been recognised as part of the Anzac Centenary Reflections Competition. Read it here:
