Principal bound for Harvard University

A Karratha principal will have the chance to hone her leadership skills at Harvard University next year after being selected as part of a prestigious Department of Education principal leadership program.

Baynton West Primary School principal Lisa Ledger has been chosen as one of 20 independent public school leaders for the Public School Principals’ Fellowship Program, now in its second year.

She will spend a week at Harvard in May studying an intensive course at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, Massachussets before completing an online course through the university.

Ms Ledger said getting into this round of the program had been a goal of hers and she was “absolutely thrilled”.

“It’s all about studying the world’s best educators and I see a lot of benefits for me, professionally and personally,” she said.

“I also see a great benefit for my school, staff, students, and the Karratha Education Network so I’m very excited.

“I feel very humbled and honoured to be selected.”

Minister for Education Peter Collier said the 20 principals were chosen for their proven leadership abilities, which would be further developed through the program with the aim of benefiting the wider WA public education sector. “They, along with 20 principals currently in the program, will form a pool of highly skilled leaders who can be called on by the Department of Education for a range of roles, including acting as mentors to other principals and contributing to school leadership development programs,” he said.

Principals who complete the fellowship program will join last year’s 20 participants as Independent Public School Fellows and take on projects to reform parts of their own schools or the wider public education system.

The Public School Principals’ Fellowship Program has been funded by $631,700 over two years by the Federal and State Governments.