Aussie Principals headed to Harvard

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).

The principals will undertake a program at Harvard specifically designed to strengthen their educational leadership skills.

2023 Principal Scholarships recipients are:

• Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship - Daniel Rattigan - Finigan School of Distance Education, NSW
• Harvard Club of Australia Principals Scholarship - Melanie Macmillan - Blairmount Public School, NSW
• Public Education Foundation Principals Scholarship - Sean Butler - Prestons High School, Vic  

Scholarship recipient, Daniel Rattigan from Finigan School of Distance Education in NSW, was thrilled to be selected and is excited to share the message of the important role distance education plays in the lives of students across the country.

“I am deeply grateful for the Teachers Mutual Bank Principals Scholarship as an opportunity to further connect with research and the experiences of other principals. I look forward to applying my learning to enhance the learning community of Finigan School of Distance Education and the broader public education community,” Mr Rattigan said.

Melanie Macmillan, Relieving Principal of Blairmount Public School hopes the opportunity to study at Harvard will inspire her students to reach their goals.

“I hope my students and the wider school community see their principal having an opportunity to study at Harvard and feel inspired to believe their opportunities are limitless,” Ms Macmillan said.

Sean Butler from Prestons High School said the scholarship would allow for connection with a range of school leaders and collaboration to make classrooms the best possible places for students and teachers.

“This opportunity will allow me to work on and refine my own leadership practice, and to make a more powerful impact as a school leader within a strong and vibrant public school system,” Mr Butler said.

Teachers Mutual Bank, the Harvard Club of Australia and the Public Education Foundation run the scholarship program.

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. The scholarships provide principals with travel, accommodation and tuition costs in Boston.