The Public Education Foundation’s Principal’s scholarships provide opportunities for Principals of government primary and secondary schools to undertake a short professional education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in the USA. The Scholarship provides a successful applicant with the opportunity to ‘reflect, refocus and recharge’ through a professional education program tailor-made for school Principals.

There are three scholarships available:

  • The Harvard Club of Australia Principal’s Scholarship
  • The Public Education Foundation Principal’s Scholarship
  • The Teachers Mutual Bank Principal’s Scholarship

We are grateful to our generous sponsors for supporting these scholarships; the Harvard Club of Australia and Teachers Mutual Bank.

COURSES OFFERED AS PART OF THIS SCHOLARSHIP

In previous years, Principal’s scholarship recipients have undertaken one of two courses which were offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education – Principals Center (GSE-Harvard).   These were:

  • Improving Schools – The Art of Leadership
  • Leadership – An Evolving Vision

Due to COVID-19 GSE-Harvard will not be offering residential programs until 2022.  Successful applicants for the Principals Scholarship will be advised of the available courses and dates once they are known.

**Applicants should be aware that the overseas travel component of this scholarship will not be supported until travel is deemed to be safe.  **

Each Scholarship is valued at approximately $14,000 and includes:

  • All tuition fees for a short residential program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education;
  • Travel insurance;
  • Return airfares ex-your nearest capital city and
  • Accommodation for the duration of the course

Each successful participant is responsible for covering their own living expenses and airport transfers.

Recipients who choose to extend their travel at either (or both) ends of the course will be responsible for booking their own travel, travel insurance and accommodation.  They will then be reimbursed the equivalent of return airfare to Boston and accommodation and travel insurance for the course period only.

Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the Teacher_and_Principal_T_and_Cs

Basic Eligibility

To be eligible for a Principal’s Scholarship you must:

  • Be a current Principal in a government primary or secondary school in Australia;
  • Be a mid-career Principal. Eligible applicants will have served as a Principal in a government primary or secondary school in Australia for between three and ten years;
  • Be committed to continue as a Principal in the government school system for at least another five years;
  • Be available to share your learnings and act as an Ambassador for the Public Education Foundation and the Teacher’s Mutual Bank (if applicable) on return.

Previous applicants are welcome to re-apply.

Selection Criteria

  • Evidence of significant ability as a school leader, commitment to the values of public education and capacity for leadership into the future;
  • Evidence of a candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education;
  • Evidence of understanding of ways in which learnings from the course can be shared with colleagues via social media and professional networks;
  • Other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s suitability for a scholarship.

Selection Process

A selection panel will review all Scholarship applications according to the criteria set out in the Application Form. The selection panel will include a representative of the Public Education Foundation, the Harvard Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and a serving public school Principal. After considering all applications, the selection panel will make recommendations to the Board of the Public Education Foundation for approval.

Please note: The Selection Panel may invite a number of applicants for interview before making its final decision.

How do I apply for the Scholarship?

Principals should apply online via  https://pef.fluidreview.com

The process will require you to:

  • Complete a short application form including the following information:
    • Your contact details
    • Years as a Government School Principal (strictly between 3 and 10 years)
  • Information about your school including:
    • Total enrolment
    • Student attendance rate
    • % Indigenous students
    • % EALD students
    • % students with special needs
    • Outline of additional school funding
  • Complete a series of short-answer questions (maximum 250 words) about:
    • Your school
    • Challenges you have faced as a school leader
    • How you would share your learning with your colleagues and community;
  • Upload a reference from the education sector, for example your supervisor or area director. (Maximum 400 words)
  • Upload a reference from a community referee, for example your local Member of Parliament, local PCYC Director or Rotary Club President; (Maximum 400 words)
  • Upload a copy of your CV, complete with your educational qualifications, your employment and teaching history and information about any extra-curricular activities you have undertaken as part of your schooling duties or your community roles. This should be two pages MAXIMUM.

Understand that the scholarship is very much focused on public education impact in the community (students, parents, teachers, other principals, broader community).  Please write your application with this broad audience in mind and avoid acronyms.

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Once you have finalised your application and all elements are complete (including references as required) you can submit it for review.

Applications must be submitted by 11.59pm on Tuesday 9 February 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Call the Public Education Foundation on 02 7814 2806 or email us at

info@publiceducationfoundation.org.au.

We also encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the Foundation and the work that we do – www.publiceducationfoundation.org.au

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