Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust scholarships an opportunity for aspiring high school principals
Six aspiring high school principals are reaping the benefits of a generous gift of $100,000 from the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust, allowing them to work towards a Masters of Secondary School Leadership (MSSL).
The course is the only one of its kind in New Zealand and participants must be nominated by their secondary school in order to be considered for a place.
This course is normally in the domain of higher decile secondary schools who can fund this course for their own aspiring principals—however the Trust’s gift opens a world of possibility for the six scholarship recipients who all come from lower decile secondary schools in South Auckland that would have been unable to finance this opportunity for their aspiring leaders.
Students on the course are finding that not only does their participation in the MSSL benefit their own personal growth and experience, but it has wider implications for their schools as well.
Maria Coyne is one of the six student and although she is only midway through her second paper, she says she has already noticed several changes in her work practice.
“Through the professional readings, I have explored several modifications in my leadership practices, including explicitly working to listen more than talk,” she said.
She has found that her study is also benefitting the school where she works; she told us, “I can model a professional growth journey to my colleagues and motivate them to also take on challenges like this. And I have found I am able to share my knowledge in support of our Principal’s vision for the school.
“I would like to thank the Joyce Fisher Trust for the support that this year’s scholarship has provided for me.”
The course, run in close partnership between the Faculty of Education and the School of Business and Government, allows the students—who must already be in middle or senior management positions—to develop the tools they will need to solve the various types of issues they are likely to face as a high school manager, such as educational leadership, strategic planning, and legal and governance issues.
General Manager of Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust, Geoff Burgess said “The Trust is delighted to be a part of this partnership and is proud to be supporting the careers of these six ambitious students. School leadership can make a huge difference to student progress and the future of our young people”.
Designed so that students can continue to work while they study, they also complete a work placement in a local school that is not their own usual workplace and are mentored throughout by more experienced senior staff. By the end of the course participants should be in a better position to take on roles such as Deputy Principal.