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 University, specifically designed to strengthen their educational leadership skills.

Teachers Mutual Bank, the Harvard Club of Australia and the Public Education Foundation are proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Principal Scholarships:

  • Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship – Ann Turner-Calleri – Edgars Creek Primary School, VIC
  • Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship – Anne Davis – Riverwood Public School, NSW
  • Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship – Paul Roger – Corrimal High School, NSW

The scholarships provide principals with travel, accommodation and tuition costs in the United States’ city of Boston.

Scholarship recipient, Ann Turner-Calleri from Edgars Creek Primary School in Victoria, said she was honoured to be selected and is excited to collectively enrich our public education system.

“Teaching has been my passion yet I see many young people who have the skills and temperament for teaching overlook this profession. The opportunity to assist in raising the profile of teaching, educators and the value of working with students is my goal. We need to highlight the innate joy teaching can provide despite its challenges,” Ms Turner-Calleri said.

Anne Davis, Principal of Riverwood Public School in New South Wales recognises the critical role of learning from Principals globally and then applying this knowledge in local communities.

“This opportunity will help me to refine and sharpen my leadership practices and values through learning with and from other principals from around the world. It will deepen my understandings about supporting and harnessing the community to focus on teaching, learning and wellbeing, to bring about improved outcomes for students, staff, families and community partners,” Ms Davis said.

Paul Roger from Corrimal High School, also in New South Wales, said the scholarship would reinforce his commitment to ensuring his school leadership team will focus on providing the best education for their students through engaging and effective professional learning.

“As my school continues to evolve, it is important to look for ways to improve my capacity as a leader and cater for the specific needs of our students and community. I also believe this is an opportunity for me to advocate to all school leaders to look for ways to improve outside of what is mandated. I’ll continue encouraging educators to look for positive ways to sustain our leadership in an everchanging educational environment,” Mr Roger said.

Teachers Mutual Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer Nichole Banks expressed her delight in offering Ann the opportunity to extend her leadership skills at Harvard and bolster the profile and importance of educators.

“Ann’s leadership skills were put to the test after opening a new school in 2021 during the COVID pandemic in a new suburb north of Melbourne. Edgars Creek Primary School’s results have gone from strength to strength since opening, which is a testament to Ann and her staff’s dedication to creating a thriving school within their community” Ms Banks said.

“The impact Ann has already had on her team, school and community will be increased exponentially, as we have seen from many years of investing in the scholarship.”

The Secretary of the NSW Department of Education Murat Dizdar said he was delighted two NSW principals have been recognised for their outstanding achievements with 2024 Principal Scholarships.

“I’m extremely proud Anne Davis and Paul Roger are being recognised for the wonderful work they do every day as principals in NSW public schools. Anne and Paul lead with high expectations and a relentless belief that every student can grow when it comes to learning and wellbeing. They both shine as champions for all school leaders through their ongoing commitment to improving educational outcomes, embracing community and backing their staff. Leaders in public education like Anne and Paul do not take lightly the responsibility for transforming lives through learning and I applaud their dedication to excellence in education,” Mr Dizdar said.

Ricky Campbell-Allen from the Harvard Club of Australia is thrilled to see public school principals like Ann, Anne and Paul deserve access to the best professional learning in the world.

“The Harvard Club of Australia wants to elevate, celebrate and support Australian public school principals, our true future builders – who lead teams of teachers to improve the learning and well-being outcomes of all Australian kids in every part of Australia. We believe 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.

“The role of principals is absolutely critical to maintaining the excellent quality of our public school system in Australia. They are highly skilled, not just in teaching and learning but also in community engagement, and of course leadership. We at the Public Education Foundation are so proud to see outstanding leaders like Ann, Anne and Paul gain access to this incredible professional development opportunity which we know will have a positive impact on the wellbeing, the learning outcomes and addressing the diverse needs of the students in their schools,” said David Riordan the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Education Foundation.

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.

For more information please contact:  Paul Somers, Public Education Foundation

Tel: 02 7814 2806

Harvard Club of Australia: Since its founding in 1961, the Harvard Club of Australia (HCA) has dedicated itself to the mission of furthering exchange between Australia and Harvard. HCA aims to promote fellowship among alumni of Harvard University in Australia and make a difference as a Harvard community in Australia. See more details at www.hcaustralia.clubs.harvard.edu.

Teachers Mutual Bank is dedicated to helping Australian education sector employees and their families secure their financial futures. In 1966 a group of passionate teachers with a shared vision of giving those alongside them better financial options came together to form a credit union. More than 50 years on, that passion is stronger than ever. We’re still supporting teachers, their families, and the education community with superior banking products and member service.

We’re more than just a bank, we’re a market leader in member advocacy in the Australian banking sector, and committed to strong standards of corporate responsibility through community investment and ethical business.

Teachers Mutual Bank is one division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited, alongside Health Professionals Bank, Firefighters Mutual Bank, UniBank, and Hiver Bank. Collectively, Teachers Mutual Bank Limited has more than 230,000 members and over $10 billion in assets. See more details at www.tmbank.com.au.

Public Education Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing life-changing scholarships to students and educators in public education, and enhancing the value and reputation of public education. See more details at www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au.