Three Australian principals have been given the opportunity to undertake a professional education program at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education (Harvard). The recognition of the best and brightest within the education sector is made possible through the Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship, the Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship and the Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship.
Recipients of the 2023 Principal Scholarships are:
- Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship – Sean Butler – Preston High School, VIC
- 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
The principals will travel to Boston to undertake the specifically designed Harvard program that focuses on strengthening leadership skills. The scholarships provide principals with travel, accommodation and tuition costs.
For scholarship recipient Sean Butler from Preston High School, 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.
Daniel Rattigan from Finigan School of Distance Education in NSW, is also thrilled to be selected and looks forward to sharing 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. “Distance education schools provide an opportunity for students to learn at a time and place that meets their circumstances. It has been a collective effort to redefine distance education and ensure our students are connected and engaged with the process of learning.”
As Relieving Principal of Blairmount Public School, Melanie Macmillan 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.
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.
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.
“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 David Riordan, Public Education Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer.
“Daniel, Melanie and Sean have proven outstanding leaders, and we are delighted to see them having access to this incredible opportunity at Harvard.”
