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Partnerships in Catholic Educational Leadership is an
active partnership of practising teachers from Catholic primary and secondary schools, academics from the tertiary sector and personnel from the Catholic Schools Office.
The programme has as its focus:
- leadership development
- a research framework
- working in teams and
- practical applications of technology
- functioning within authentic workplace contexts.
Leadership development focus
The programme combines the training, planning and evaluation aspects of a centrally coordinated and managed project with the accepted value of building on local school based expertise and research interests.
Participants have the opportunity to develop their leadership potential within meaningful contexts which are embedded within their core work and practice
Leadership is multifaceted and the approach taken in this programme accommodates this diversity through the adoption of a negotiated project approach. Each project will take place over a short period of time, will be
research based and will allow for the development and demonstration of leadership skills.
Partnerships in Catholic Educational Leadership seeks to encourage leadership development within a research framework which involves: negotiated leadership goal setting
- participation in a coordinated leadership development programme
- demonstrated skill enhancement and development in leadership
- the active engagement of participants in a research project.
Expected outcomes of the program
The approach values the expertise of each of the partners and recognises that leadership is multi dimensional and non linear. As a result of participating on the programme it is expected that participants will
achieve the following broad outcomes:
Leadership development:
Each course participant will demonstrate clearly enhanced leadership skills, knowledge and understanding .
Research brief:
Each course participant will be part of a team of 6 –9 people who will research an issue in contemporary education consistent with the diocesan strategic plan: Shaping Our Future.
Who is eligible?
The programme is available to all teachers working within Primary and Secondary schools within the Broken Bay diocese who meet the programme criteria. It is expected that there will be 20 places on the 2000 programme
Participation on the programme is on the basis of recommendation assuming that the criteria for entry are met:
Anticipated career progression for which well developed leadership, skills, knowledge and understanding will be required
- Personal and professional life reflects a Catholic understanding of the world, the human person and history.
- A commitment to their Catholic faith.
- Appreciation of leadership as a Ministry of service within the parish, the community or ones place of work.
- Highly developed classroom teaching skills.
- Has initiative and has already demonstrated leadership potential within the educational setting in which they work, the community or parish.
- Longer term leadership intentions in the context of the classroom, the school or other educational, religious or cultural contexts.
- Comfortable in the use of technology and if not very experienced in its applications, then a willingness to learn more.
NB There is no minimum teaching experience requirement for nomination onto this programme
Who nominates?
Nomination is by your current School Principal or other personnel within the diocese who have detailed knowledge of your leadership potential.
Access to the programme will be on the basis of the nomination made and a statement of intent from the nominee. Programs will be provided
What is involved for participants?
Ownership of one’s own leadership development through active participation in a learning team which uses a project approach and addresses an educational issue of professional interest and value. Teams will be
supported through an extensive seminar and workshop series as well as through the Project Officer who will be able to work with groups collaboratively.
In brief, the programme will be as follows:
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Getting started
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Developing ideas
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Refining context
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Negotiating area of action
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Accessing expertise
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Negotiating the content
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Identifying leadership outcomes
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Defining research methods
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Data collection and ethics
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Developing communication strategy
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Sharing the outcomes
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Learning log
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Documenting outcomes
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Presentation of findings
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Demonstrated leadership
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Expected commitment from participants
Once accepted onto the programme, it is expected that there will be a commitment made by the participants for the programme’s duration, unless there are any particularly extenuating
circumstances. The following is expected as a programme minimum.
- Attendance and participation in all leadership seminars
- Attendance and participation in all twilight sessions
- Active member of the research team
- Participates in the electronic messaging systems in place for the project
- Keeps a learning log for the duration of the programme
NB Some sessions are scheduled for a Saturday and others for the evening
What support will I get?
Participants will need to have the programme and its approach, clearly explained to the broader community.
Support will be provided in the form of up to six release days for each participant initially through the school’s project team as well as support for an extensive community
communication initiative. In addition, a Project Officer will be appointed for the duration of the initiative.
Are there any benefits for me?
Yes, many. You will benefit significantly from your participation on the programme in a number of ways.
- Support in your leadership development and learning
- Contributing to system priorities through the research project
- Skill enhancement from working in teams and collaborative approaches.
- Building up a network of support using electronic messaging systems
- Improved knowledge and expertise in the use of technology
- Advanced standing at the ACU for those who undertake additional study requirements
- Opportunity to be part of an emergent design process which is embedded within the workplace
Accreditation
Accreditation provides recognition for the rigour, systematic training and research base of the Partnerships in Catholic Educational Leadership programme.
Accreditation is optional. There may be additional requirements required of those participants who seek advanced standing or accreditation from a tertiary institution. Each tertiary
institution determines its own accreditation policies and procedures.
The Role of the Catholic Schools Office
An essential component of the project is the active involvement and support of the Catholic Schools Office. This includes:
- provision of release time for participants
- coordination of electronic support for project teams
- coordination and delivery of leadership seminars
- dissemination of the outcomes of the projects
- liaison with the tertiary sector for accreditation
Commitment from schools
Participants selected for inclusion on the programme will need the support of the School Principal and will need to agree to the following requirements of being involved in the project:
- release of the participant to attend seminar sessions
- provision of non-teaching research time
- commitment to share results
- attending review and presentation sessions
- producing reports/materials summarising project
These may also be additional requirements required of those participants who seek advanced standing or accreditation from a tertiary institution.
Leadership seminars
The focus will be determined by participants but will have as their focus the acquisition of effective knowledge, skills and training relevant to leadership in schools. The content may well include elements of:
- leadership issues within a Catholic school
- conflict resolution
- project management including budgeting
- methodology of project research
- ethics
- drafting a refined plan with tasks and targets
- using research tools for interpreting results
- working together as a team and sharing experiences
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