MILLICENT North Primary School principal Graham Slarks is one of three South East school leaders who will embark on an educational journey to Sydney in January next year.
Mr Slarks is enrolled in an internationally recognised course that Harvard University has been running globally for a number of years, with the program offered for the first time in Australia.
Through case studies, faculty-led sessions and facilitated discussion groups, The Principals’ Centre in Australia: Leadership for School Excellence program provides educators with an opportunity to become more effective school leaders.
Participants will develop a personalised leadership plan to help extend learning at their high schools.
“The program is based on contemporary research and best practice and delivered by some of the world’s best professionals in teaching and educational leadership,” Mr Slarks said.
“It will focus on areas of critical importance such as instructional leadership, school culture, leadership development, strategy and family and community engagement.
“Over the last five years, Millicent North has seen continual growth in the academic achievements of students.
“The challenge is to maintain this growth and I’m confident that attending this program will provide me with further skills and knowledge to support that journey.”
Mr Slarks said the Education Department was proactive in upskilling school staff to ensure South Australia continued to deliver a curriculum at a global standard.
“For me, this is an outstanding opportunity to hear from world class leaders in the field of education, as well as having time with other principals to further develop our skills as leaders within our sites.”
The leadership program includes a range of school leaders and principals from government, independent and Catholic schools in Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
Penola Primary School principal Anna Copping and Mount Gambier High School principal Chris Edmunds will join Mr Slarks for the four-day program.
“This will enable us to hear firsthand the issues they are facing and learning from them how they are preparing their students for life-long learning and the changes in the workforce they will experience,” Mr Slarks said.
“The program will be developing our leadership and effective teaching skills so we are better equipped to improve our students’ learning outcomes.
“As a life-long learner, I am passionate about being the best I can.
“I am looking forward to this course to further advance my unique leadership style to improve outcomes across student and staff.”
