About Next Generation Principal This Australian Primary Principals Association principal preparation initiative is aimed at developing leaders for the challenges of school principalship into the future. The changing education landscape is characterised by increasing accountability, changing technology, cultural shifts, curriculum demands and school- based decision making. Without exception, the next generation of principals needs the contemporary knowledge, skills and training (competencies) to lead and manage our schools with confidence, commitment and authenticity. This program draws on the practical experiences of current primary school principals and aims to develop the individual s capacity to lead primary schools and school communities. Targeted at meeting the needs of aspiring principals who are currently in senior leadership positions within their school and those new to the principal position, the APPA School Leadership Program: Next Generation Principal is aimed at developing the specific knowledge and key competencies required for successful primary school principalship. The program reflects the framework of the Principal Standard and allows the Next Generation Principal to undertake learning through the action research model within their school context. The program is undertaken with the guidance and support of experienced primary principals, colleagues in the program and the support of principals associations. As well as focusing upon the daily management and leadership tasks of school principals it aims to meet registration requirements for professional learning or further qualification. Program Overview This school leadership program is designed to build the skills and experience of the Next Generation Principal through: input of, and support from, experienced practising principals and fellow Next Generation Principals; interactions with colleagues, via an online learning platform; collaboration with Peer Learning Group (pre-, during and post- course); inspiration from leaders beyond the education field; ongoing learning (self- directed and building on previous experiences); expectations of commitment and engagement in the program; and, provision of feedback through peer assessment and mentor conversations.
Learning Outcomes The Next Generation Principal will: develop a deeper understanding of their leadership qualities, skills and knowledge; complete a leadership profile and professional learning plan through self- analysis; participate in a two- day Residential Course; demonstrate ability to implement a strategy for leading learning and innovation; conduct a landscape survey for curriculum and innovation; develop skills and strategies for dealing with daily events and inflictions; and, demonstrate understanding of key school functions through a shadowing experience based on the AITSL Principal Standard. Entry process Current school leaders (assistant or deputy principal level or beginning principal) complete the attached Expression of Interest form. This form asks applicants to outline their reasons for wishing to participate in the APPA School Leaders Program: Next Generation Principal. Each applicant needs the endorsement of his or her current principal or, if in a principal position, from the system director (or similar). In the case of, for example, an Independent K 12 school, the primary principal / head would receive the endorsement of the person to whom he or she is responsible. Due to the limited places in the program, a committee, comprising State and Territory Principals Association representatives and an APPA nominee, would select suitable participants i.e. the Next Generation Principal. Program Components: Part A 360 Reflection Tool (AITSL) The Next Generation Principal completes this activity before the Residential Course. Enrolment will be coordinated through a central agency. The agency will provide the data and feedback with a summary sheet. The Next Generation Principal completes a reflection exercise as part of the Tool. Leadership Profile Self- Assessment Tool (AITSL) The Next Generation Principal records evidence or experiences that demonstrate achievements for each Principal Standard. It is expected that there will be a range of experiences and achievements, and that some aspects will be stronger than others. The aim of the Tool is to identify those areas for additional learning or strengthening. Professional Learning Plan The Next Generation Principal then completes a Professional Learning Plan while at the Residential in collaboration with the peer group and workshop leader.
Program Components: Part B Next Generation Principal: Inspiring Leaders Residential Course (Canberra 6 8 July 2016) This two- day residential course will provide the Next Generation Principal with the opportunity to listen to, and interact with, a number of inspiring leaders located at the various National Institutions across Canberra; receive feedback on leadership reflections; participate in school leadership scenarios and learning modules; develop collaboration groups and colleague support networks; identify goals for the Shadowing Module; and, develop a personal learning plan based on the Principal Standard that will give direction to the Action Research Project. Invited and attending speakers include Quentin Bryce, Dr Mathew Trinca (Director, National Museum of Australia), Dr Brendan Nelson (Director, Australian War Memorial) and Professor Brian Schmidt (incoming Vice- Chancellor, ANU). Pam Ryan, former principal and Director of Schools NSW and Hong Kong (English Schools), will facilitate the Leading Learning Module and Action Research workshops in collaboration with experienced principals. Inspiring Leaders Modules and Workshops The Challenges of Leadership Module This module is about developing skills and strategies to deal with and manage the many tasks, events and inflections (unexpected events) that occur in any school day. The Next Generation Principal explores options and identifies a strategy to implement on return to school. The Next Generation Principal then records events and develops data to illustrate the success of the particular strategy. Leading Learning Module This module will provide the Next Generation Principal with a framework that sets out the key aspects of leading and managing curriculum. Through a landscape and land- scoping review, strengths and areas for improvement are identified. As part of this module, the Next Generation Principal also reviews school structures that support innovation and records observations on a given framework. These two reviews are then shared with the Peer Learning Group for feedback, discussion and reflective questioning. Shadowing Module The Next Generation Principal undertakes a Shadowing Module that sets out five key areas of school leadership and decision- making based on the Principal Standard. In accessing experienced principals, identified by the local principal association, the Next Generation Principal identifies two areas upon which to focus. This module works on a show watch mentor cycle. During each visit, the experienced principal discusses and shows how particular tasks are addressed. The opportunity to ask questions, clarify aspects and reflect upon the visit is an important part of this module. A reciprocal visit, where the experienced principal spends time watching the Next Generation Principal work through the selected activities and tasks, is used to build a strong mentoring / coaching process that consolidates learning.
Action Research Project The Action Research Project is developed out of the professional learning plan and profile. In this project, the Next Generation Principal identifies an area for further learning and implements an Action Research Project built around the Principal Standard. The Next Generation Principal documents the project and provides evidence to support claims or outcomes. Each project is shared with the Peer Learning Group with each member offering reflective comments and feedback on the project. Program Components: Part C Presentation of Learning In the Presentation of Learning stage the Next Generation Principal: presents the outcomes of the Action Research Project at a local principal association event; completes a self- reflection summary of learning; and, details the achievements of the Shadowing Module. (Note: The Next Generation Principal who completes the program and assessments may be eligible to apply for a qualification that will provide recognised prior learning (RPL) for a post graduate qualification.) Assessment Over the course, the Next Generation Principal completes and shares the following with their Peer Learning Group and Residential Course facilitator: 1. 360 Reflection Tool: Managed and coordinated through an outside agency. 2. Leadership Profile Self- assessment: Focuses on the Principal Standard. 3. Professional Learning Plan: Profile reflection indicating strengths and areas for learning. 4. Challenges of Leadership: Reflections and journal record of events and reflections on success or outcomes of employing strategies to deal with and manage inflections. 5. Leading Learning: Completion of curriculum and innovation landscape and land- scoping review. Self- analysis and feedback from Peer Learning Group. 6. Shadowing: Complete two experiences from the five elements of the Principal Standard. 7. Action Research Project: Complete project and share with Peer Learning Group. Provide feedback to fellow group members on action research outcomes. Presentation at a local principals association gathering.
Timeline 1 December 2015 Expressions of Interest open 22 February 2016 Expressions of Interest close 2 March 2016 Applicants informed of acceptance into program 31 March 2016 Successful applicants to confirm participation Term 2, 2016 Next Generation Principal completes 360 Reflection Tool (AITSL) and Principal Standard Profile Self- assessment Tool 6 8 July 2016 Next Generation Principal: Inspiring Leaders Residential Course July 2016 June 2017 Learning Modules and Action Research Project Term 3, 2017 Presentation of Action Research Projects, completion of Journal Reflections and Evaluation Cost The cost for the program is $2500. This covers: Next Generation Principal: Inspiring Leaders Residential Course* (see attached program) 360 Reflection Tool and Feedback (approx $400 but can be deducted if previously completed) Facilitator Support and Online Learning Platform Shadowing Package Administration and communication Learning Modules Workbook *Course fees do not cover travel and accommodation The participant may source funds by personal contribution, school professional learning funds or employer sponsored grant. Payments may be made by negotiated instalments. Payment is made once acceptance to the program has been confirmed. For further details, contact: APPA National Office Email: natoffice@appa.asn.au Telephone: 0466 655 468 (Dennis Yarrington) or 0408 971 874 (Michael Nuttall) The APPA School Leadership Program: Next Generation Principal is proudly supported by: