Two public school principals in the NSW education system are on their way to the US Harvard University after securing prestigious scholarships.
Prairiewood High School principal Belinda Giudice and Bathurst’s Denison College of Secondary Education’s Kelso High Campus, Michael Sloan have been named as two of the three national recipients of Harvard Principals Scholarships.
According to Ms Giudice (pictured), she was very excited but at the same time humbled by the award.
“I am the first in my family to complete year 12 and attend university, so to be selected to travel overseas to the world’s most prestigious university for on-campus learning is truly exciting,” Ms Giudice said.
“It reaffirms my first-hand experience of the power and purpose of education to transform one’s life trajectory.
Mr Sloan, who has led the reputational turnaround of Kelso campus, said it was an honour to receive the award.
“As a lifelong learner, it is an amazing opportunity to learn from and with international colleagues to improve my knowledge and practice,” Mr Sloan said.
“The prospect of visiting Boston and attending the program at Harvard is very exciting.”
Secretary of the Department of Education, Georgina Harrisson said it was great to see NSW principals from the city and country represented.
“We are extremely proud that two of the three scholarship winners are from NSW public schools,” Ms Harrisson said.
“The fact one is from Sydney and the other regional NSW not only highlights the quality of our school leaders across the State but shows that location is no barrier to success in a teaching career.”
The principals will now undertake a professional education program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education which is specifically designed to strengthen the skills of educational leaders.
