Three of Australia's best and brightest principals have been given the opportunity to undertake a professional education program at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education (Harvard) through the Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship, the Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship and the Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship.
Recognised for their outstanding work in educating the nation's young minds, the principals will undertake a program at Harvard specifically designed to strengthen their educational leadership skills.
- Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship – Daniel Rattigan - Finigan School of Distance Education, NSW
- Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship - Melanie Macmillan - Blairmount Public School, NSW
- Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship - Sean Butler - Prestons High School, VIC
The scholarships provide principals with travel, accommodation and tuition costs in the United States' city of Boston.
Scholarship recipient, Daniel Rattigan from Finigan School of Distance Education in NSW, was thrilled to be selected and is excited to share the message of the important role distance education plays in the lives of students across the country.
"I am deeply grateful for the Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship as an opportunity to further connect with research and the experiences of other principals. I look forward to applying my learning to enhance the learning community of Finigan School of Distance Education and the broader public education community," Mr Rattigan said.
Melanie Macmillan, Relieving Principal of Blairmount Public School hopes the opportunity to study at Harvard will inspire her students to reach their goals.
"I hope my students and the wider school community see their principal having an opportunity to study at Harvard and feel inspired to believe their opportunities are limitless," Ms Macmillan said.
Sean Butler from Prestons High School said the scholarship would allow for connection with a range of school leaders and collaboration to make classrooms the best possible places for students and teachers.
"This opportunity will allow me to work on and refine my own leadership practice, and to make a more powerful impact as a school leader within a strong and vibrant public school system," Mr Butler said.
Teachers Mutual Bank's Chief Marketing Officer Nichole Banks expressed her delight in offering Daniel the opportunity to extend his leadership skills at Harvard.
"This year marks the 10th Anniversary of the Teachers Mutual Bank Principal Scholarship. We strongly believe the educational benefits of attending a prestigious university such as Harvard will have a lasting impact not only on the principal but on their students, school and their community," Ms Banks said.
NSW Education Department Acting Secretary Murat Dizdar said it was fantastic to see the achievements of two NSW school leaders rewarded with a Principal Scholarship.
"Daniel Rattigan and Melanie Macmillan are wonderful ambassadors for NSW public education and are exemplars of the extraordinary work that happens in our schools every day," Mr Dizdar said.
Ricky Campbell-Allen from the Harvard Club of Australia is thrilled to see public school principals like Daniel, Melanie and Sean deserve access to the best professional learning in the world.
"Principals have one of the most important jobs in the world – leading teams of teachers to improve the learning and wellbeing outcomes of all Australian kids,"
"A scholarship for a principal is not an investment in an individual but rather an investment in a school and, over time, a community," Ms Campbell-Allen said.
"Principals lead the front line of our public education system, and we are delighted to be able to support the professional development of some of the best," said Paul Somers, PEF's Chief Operating Officer.
"Daniel, Melanie and Sean have proven outstanding leaders, and we are delighted to see them having access to this incredible opportunity at Harvard."
Each Principal Scholarship is valued at approximately $14,000 and includes program tuition for the Harvard Graduate School of Education program, Achieving Excellence: Leadership Development for Principals.
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