Fellowships will be awarded to five innovative principals and assistant principals from Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools.
The fellowships are being delivered by the Menzies Foundation together with a multi-sector collaboration group, including the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER).
Following a successful pilot fellowship program, a research report into the year of the program revealed that school leaders require more support to lead in the complexity of the school system.
Each two-year fellowship is worth $150,000 and includes: creating and leading an in-school collective efficacy research project; participation in a leadership development program co-designed by education leadership expert, Laureate Professor John Hattie; travel grants to undertake study trips and attend a small number of professional development workshops; and a Menzies Alumni membership.
Menzies Foundation chief executive officer Liz Gillies said it was exciting to be embarking on the next stage of the Menzies School Leader Fellowship program after a successful pilot.
“Already this game-changing program is providing unique insights into the systemic change needed to lift our education system to a higher level – a level that all students deserve, and one that can be achieved with the right kind of leadership,” Gillies said.
The current fellows will finish in 2021, including James Taylor, assistant principal, Richmond High School, Georgia Heffernan, Deputy Principal, Catholic Ladies College, Eltham, Karen Snibson, Principal, Phoenix P-12 Community College, Sebastopol and Chris Short, Principal, Berwick Chase Primary School.
Taylor added that he has strengthened his leadership skills as a result of being a Menzies fellow.
“I strongly encourage my principal class peers to apply for this year’s program as the changes you will begin to make in your leadership approach will most certainly benefit your students, your school and the education system more broadly,” Taylor said.
Applications close March 14. Shortlisted applicants will be notified in April and interviewed in May. The fellowship program will begin in June.