Leading 21st Century Schools: Why schools leaders?
Principals are the key to significant change and improvement in their schools. Through focused and influential leadership principals establish the conditions for highly effective teaching and learning across schools and for the improvement of student learning outcomes. They provide a clear vision and direction for their schools.
Principals, who understand the importance of embedding studies of Asia into school programs and are committed to building the capacity of teachers to deliver high quality programs to students, are critical to the successful implementation of programs designed to engage students with Asia.
Highly successful principals oversee and lead processes for change using the strengths, knowledge and skills of key staff, through their ability to motivate staff to take on new challenges and through the effective distribution of leadership across their schools. Principals generate the conditions for collective ownership and responsibility for implementation and monitoring of programs embedding the studies of Asia.
Peak principals associations identify this project as being of national importance.
    
Leading Principals/Educators quotes
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'I am looking forward to implementing, embedding and institutionalising the Studies of Asia and Australia as the means to consolidating a rich and vibrant learning environment in my school that acknowledges Australia's vast multicultural diversity. It is no less than a strategic imperative for educational, economic and social improvement for all global citizens.
Tracy Hammill, Principal, Lalor North Primary School, VIctoria
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'Our place in space; where do we fit and more importantly where do our students fit in an as yet undefined future? The answer is for all of us to LOOK NORTH! We need to reconceptualise our future by developing a deep understanding of Australia as an Asian neighbor or indeed an Asian country. It is our responsibility to shape that new intelligence.
Sheree Vertigan, Principal, Reece High School, Tasmania
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'My involvement in this project has been professionally rewarding. Working with principals from across sectors has enabled me to develop a framework of what it means for students to be 'Asia literate'. The development of intercultural understanding and acceptance of difference in our students is vitally important. The high resources available through this project will benefit students, staff and the wider community.'
Colin Bird, Principal, International Grammar School
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'For too long in Australia we have been culturally, historically and educationally 'Euro-centric' in our view of the world. The 21st Century is a much more global community, for our younger generations whose access to the rest of the world on a daily basis extends well beyond geographical boundaries.
The need to become more immersed in Asia goes way beyond seeking the expansion of Asian Languages in our schools. It needs the development of cultural literacy for all students.'
Chris Presland, Principal Liaison Officer, Australian Principals Association Professional Development Council
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The Leading 21st Century Schools: Engage with Asia Project '...is a breakthrough for studies of Asia in Australia because the support and leadership of principals for embedding studies of Asia in the school plan legitimises and formalises the work of teachers who actively incorporate Asia into their classroom teaching and learning.'
Julie O'Keeffe, President, Asia Education Teachers' Association.
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The work of the Australian Principals' Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC) through its national Leaders Lead project has provided a useful lens through which to view the building of leadership capacity in schools.
The propositions set out in the L5 Frame can be used as a framework for helping to define the strategic leadership required to ensure that schools engage their students with Asia.
The table below illustrates the way in which the L5 Frame may relate to the strategic leadership necessary for implementation of studies of Asia in schools and leadership networks.
L5 Frame propositions
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Leadership practice
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Leadership starts from within
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- Principals understand the importance of engaging their students with Asia
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| Leadership is about influencing others
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- School principals work collaboratively with colleagues, key staff and school communities to ensure collective understanding of the importance of engaging their students with Asia
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| Leadership develops a rich learning environment |
- School leaders build capacity with staff to develop a whole school approach to Asia-focused program development, implementation and evaluation
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| Leadership builds professionalism and management capability
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- School leaders establish systems, structures and processes to integrate engagement with Asia into the school
- School leaders establish and sustain professional learning networks for themselves and their staff
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| Leadership inspires leadership actions and aspirations in others
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- School leaders encourage and facilitate opportunities for colleagues and staff to take and show leadership in the implementation of the National Statement
- School leaders ensure that significant achievements and events are recognised and celebrated
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The Future of Studies of Asia and Australia in Australian Schools: An Evaluative Investigation (PDF 1 MB), John Owen, Ian Ling, Pamela Andrew and Margaret Ling, 2006.
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