Current and aspiring leaders in Catholic schools from St Joseph’s Port Lincoln, Samaritan College Whyalla, St Barbara’s Roxby Downs and St Mark’s Port Pirie are participating in a program called Strengthening a team of leaders. The program has been specifically designed to equip leadership teams with skills and knowledge founded on up-to-the minute research, and helping them identify new pathways to overcome identified challenges.
Queensland Education Leadership Institute are collaborating with Catholic Education SA and Catholic school leaders in the Port Pirie Diocese, South Australia to create and deliver this customised leaders’ program. Dr Stephen Brown, CEO of Queensland Education Leadership Institute, and program consultant and facilitator, says, “In all aspects of life the need for outstanding leadership is immutable. The evidence is clear that in high performing schools we have wonderful leaders-talented, passionate individuals who hold at the heart of their work a deep sense of moral purpose-the desire to make a difference in the lives of young people”, he said..
The program will provide an opportunity for individuals to self-reflect about their own leadership capabilities and to make a significant contribution to the shared direction of their current school,” he said.
The six-month program is structured into four multi-modal phases, and the first face-to-face workshop ran from 23 to 24 April at Caritas College, Port Augusta. Participants are now progressing projects to support leadership initiatives at their respective schools, supported by peer coaches. Participants will again convene as a group in October to present their project progress and discuss next steps.
Nichii Mardon, Principal, Caritas College, says, “A highly competent principal is a must for any school, but they cannot lead alone. Outstanding principals realise this and nurture leadership in others.”
“I believe most firmly that leadership in all its forms in schools has a direct influence on student learning, teaching practice and school culture. It therefore makes great sense to prioritise the development of individual and collective teacher leadership.”
“The practical nature of this program is very supportive of our rural context, and the fact it is connecting our teams with internationally acclaimed experts, including Dr Brown, Professor Emeritus Patrick Duignan and Dr Kerri McKenna, ensures direct benefits for our school community”, she said.
School leaders may be eligible to use the program as credit towards a university Masters degree.
Four Catholic schools across South Australia have been awarded $6.34 million in grants for capital works to improve learning spaces, increase opportunities for disadvantaged students and cater for more diverse learning needs.
The State Government grants — $6.34 million for Catholic schools and $6.38 million for independent schools — are for building projects to commence over the next year.
Introduced in 2018 to ensure all students have access to a first-class education, the latest funding under the scheme has been approved for four projects at Catholic schools and 103 smaller projects at independent schools.
