The AIS Leadership Centre

Flagship Program 2017 – 2018a rigorous, holistic program for experienced senior leaders in schools

The AIS Leadership Centre Flagship Program is a rigorous, holistic program for experienced senior leaders in schools. A year-long program, it begins in December each year. Applications are encouraged from eligible candidates in schools across all sectors within Australia and beyond.

Dr Nicole Archard, Loreto College, SA

The AIS Flagship Program is a wonderful opportunity to make new connections and learn from other people’s experiences, as well as reflect on theoretical understandings of leadership. In particular, the school visits and Principal shadowing experiences have been enlightening

with regard to understanding different models of Principal leadership and school structures. This program has enabled me to reflect on my own practice in many positive as well as challenging ways.

Alan Jones, Christ Church Grammar School, WA

The AIS Flagship Program is the best professional learning opportunity I have had the privilege of participating in. Challenging and engaging, yet

highly collaborative and supportive, the Program ticks all the boxes for high-end educational leadership.

Elizabeth Brooks, St Vincents College, NSW

The Flagship Program has enabled depth and breadth of learning through the experience of sharing the journey with colleagues from varying

educative contexts within an absolute climate of trust. The professional rigour of the program enabled me to seek refinement through dialogue with the high quality academic research and current practice of expert voices. The opportunity to facilitate a project in my own school context challenged me to transfer theory into practice, requiring a willingness to take risks to improve core purpose. I feel confident that my continued growth as a leader will build the capacity of myself and colleagues to influence learning success for our students and their future.

Fiona Johnston, Australian International School, Singapore

The Flagship Program has provided a wonderful opportunity to meet and learn alongside fellow aspiring educational leaders. Involvement in the program enabled me to take time for reflection, ask myself some of the challenging questions that

leaders need to ask and combine my practical experience with theoretical knowledge. The opportunity to shadow an experienced Principal, to develop the confidence to lead a school through change and to learn new skills has been invaluable. It has been an enriching and rewarding leadership journey.

Tim Hildebrandt, St Peter’s Catholic College, NSW

The Flagship Program was undoubtedly the most valuable professional learning experience I have ever been engaged in. There was a solid academic base evidenced through a selection of well curated academic readings and an expectation of rigour in the written tasks. The learning experiences

were varied and each very powerful. I interacted with international experts in educational leadership. I spent quality time with my Professional Companion. I visited schools and engaged in shadowing experiences and most significantly, had the opportunity to learn with a strong team of dedicated educational professionals who were passionate about their own journey through leadership. My learnings from the Flagship Program have served me well so far and will continue to do so for many years to come. I highly recommend this program to any aspirational school leader.

Sean Corcoran, Redlands, NSW

The Flagship Program was the best professional learning in which I have participated over the course of my career. Underpinned by extensive theoretical research and practical experience, it allowed me to broaden and deepen my understanding of educational leadership, while

also further develop my own personal values and vision as an educator. We were able to learn from leading academics in the educational leadership field and to shadow current leaders. In addition, the opportunity to be supported by a Professional Companion was priceless. Working and reflecting collaboratively with the other participants was enriching and has allowed me to develop a strong network which will be a valuable support for me in the future. Rigorous, reflective and enriching, the Flagship Program is a must for anyone who wants to further explore educational leadership opportunities.

What do participants say?

Belinda Vertriest, Billanook College, VIC

Involvement in the Flagship Program has been a gift in my professional leadership journey. Contemporary research on leadership profiles and practices

was explored through rigorous academic reading, writing and the exceptional quality of speakers throughout the program. Of most value to me has been the opportunity to share and learn collegially with others in similar roles.Our leadership challenges, fears, joys and dreams were discussed in a collaborative relational context. The Flagship Program has reinvigorated my passion for leading the learning in my school and has unlocked self-knowledge that will undoubtedly remain with me.

“Contemporary school administrators play a daunting array of roles. They must be educational visionaries and change agents, instructional leaders, curriculum and assessment experts, budget analysts, facility managers, special program administrators and community builders ... Principals also need a sophisticated understanding of organisations and organisational change. Further, as approaches to funding schools change, Principals are expected to make sound resource allocations that are likely to improve achievement for students.” Darling-Hammond, LaPointe, Meyerson & Orr, 2007

WHY ENROL?• Posi�on yourself for principalship• Gain hands-on experience in leading school-wide change• Enhance your ability to lead confidently and with autonomy• Be stretched by a rigorous program that blends theory and prac�ce• Develop the knowledge and skills needed for successful senior leadership• Bring new energy and insight to your role and career• Gain 25 per cent of a Master of Educa�onal Leadership degree or possible ar�cula�on towards a higher research degree

WHY INVEST?• Your school will gain new insights from key research and prac��oner wisdom that can be shared with the school community• The capacity of senior leaders and the school will be enhanced and sustained• A priority area of school life can be addressed through the professional project component

WHO ENROLS?• Experienced senior leaders who want to deepen their knowledge and re-energise their prac�ce• Deputy Principals• Heads of Campus• Heads of Junior School• Heads of Middle School• Heads of Senior School• Those considering principalship within a year or two of being credible applicants

AIS Leadership CentreFlagship Program

“The most valuable personal and professional development I have ever undertaken.”Terrie Jones, St Michael’s Grammar School, VIC

What is The Flagship Program all about?

Deb Magill, Roseville College, NSW

The AIS Flagship Program is a leadership course like no other. It is a program built on a sound research base and with a clear

expectation of rigour. It offers solid content as well as guided reflection on current practice and the challenge of personal reflection of one self. Two distinguishable factors I truly appreciated were the personalised learning through a 360 Degree review process and the privileged opportunity for Professional Companionship; the learning from both of these experiences was then contextualised through the professional project. I am encouraged by the ongoing nature of trusted connections made through the program with peers, experienced school leaders and Professional Companions. If those in senior leadership positions are thinking about Principalship, I highly recommend The AIS Flagship Program.

About the AIS Leadership CentreOur purpose is to develop confident, competent and visionary educational leaders who will improve the learning and personal growth of students, staff and school communities. Our programs, processes and services to schools are soundly underpinned by contemporary theory, delivered by top-level presenters, and focus equally on practitioner and academic perspectives.

The time frameThe 2017 – 2018 Flagship Program begins on Sunday, 10th December 2017 and ends in mid-October 2018.

Full attendance at all program days is required.

Features of The Flagship Program• Built on a commitment to clearly articulated values and vision, and

an understanding of leadership as an inner and outer journey

• Critiqued and endorsed by key stakeholders and our Academic Reference Group of leading international scholars

• Leading practitioners and scholars as presenters and facilitators

• University credit towards a Master of Educational Leadership degree, or possible contribution towards a higher research degree

• Addresses both the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and the Australian Professional Standard for Principals. This Standard applies to current and emerging Principals and executive team members

• Rigorous evaluation – formative, summative and longitudinal

The format• Ten face-to-face course days and three days of focused school visits

• Online meetings

• Ongoing journalling

• Pre-reading tasks

• Ten hours of Professional Companioning

• Regular feedback on the progress of the Professional Project

• Summative presentation of the outcomes of the Professional Project

• Final reflective paper

The venuesThe Flagship Program face-to-face days will be held at either the AIS Conference Centre or at the The SHORE School. (see detailed program on page 6).

AIS Conference Centre SHORE Level 12, 99 York Street Blue Street SYDNEY NSW NORTH SYDNEY NSW

(easily accessible from (easily accessible from Town Hall or Wynyard stations) North Sydney station)

Accommodation for the residential component is at the North Sydney Harbourview Hotel, 17 Blue Street, North Sydney.

David Smith, Calrossy Anglican School, NSW

The Flagship Program is the most significant and valuable experience I have undertaken as an educator and school leader.

The combination of contemporary leadership theory, best practice and practical experience in the year-long program was formative and inspiring. I greatly benefited from access to world leaders in education, the opportunities to reflect, feedback from peers and undertaking a professional project in my school context. Most valuable were the experiences in shadowing a Principal, undertaking a 360 evaluation of my own practice and working with a Professional Companion for the year. Participation in The Flagship Program equipped me with the confidence and awareness required to take on the role of school leadership.

The four content areasContextual leadershipThe program supports participants to connect not only with their local context, but also with national, global and educational contexts

Instructional leadershipHow to lead learning in all the diversity necessary for holistic student achievement and enhanced quality of teaching

Relational leadershipThis is a pivotal area of contemporary leadership which includes communication skills, building effective professional relationships, working in teams and with a board

Organisational leadershipIncluded in this area are strategy and direction; understanding culture; leading change and innovation; legal and accountability matters; and resource management

The four core elements• An emphasis on the person of the leader, ‘understanding

self’, including completion and debriefing of The Leadership Circle Profile, an internationally recognised 360° survey

• Professional Companioning – a paired process, conducted by former Principals who have been trained as coaches. It addresses both the ‘self’ of the leader and the context of their work

• Peer learning – the group learns with, through and from each member of the cohort

• A professional project – leadership of a school-wide change initiative which each participant identifies, implements and evaluates within their own school, supported by an in-school mentor

“Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power.”

Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

“The Flagship Program has been the most amazing opportunity to learn about current theory of leadership in school and reflect and focus on oneself. The course has been delivered with such care and intent that it has been a very safe place to explore personal strengths and challenges. It really has been an honour to have been a participant of this course. I highly recommend this to anyone in leadership positions in a school.”

VALUES and

VISION

Garry Case, Emanuel School, NSW

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Dates Mode Program EventTerm 4, 2017

Sunday – Monday10th – 11th December

Program Days 1 and 2 SHORE, Blue Street, North Sydney Please note: RESIDENTIAL on the evening of 11th December at North Sydney Harbourview Hotel

Term 1, 2018

Early February Completion of The Leadership Circle™ 360O profile

One day to be completed by Friday 9th March

School visit day 1

Tuesday 13th March 9:00am – 10:30am

Online meeting 1

Term 1, non-term time

Tuesday – Thursday17th – 19th April

Program Days 3, 4 and 5AIS Conference Centre(includes one-to-one Professional Companioning)

Term 2, 2018

One-to-one Professional Companioning

One day during Term 2 School visit day 2

One-to-one Professional Companioning

Monday 4th June 11:00am – 12:30pm

Online meeting 2

Term 2, non-term time

Wednesday – Friday18th – 20th July

Program Days 6, 7 and 8AIS Conference Centre

One-to-one Professional Companioning (face to face)

Term 3, 2018

One day during Term 3 School visit day 3

One-to-one Professional Companioning

Tuesday 14th August9:00am – 10:30am

Online meeting 3

Thursday and Friday30th August – 31st August

Program Days 9 and 10AIS Conference Centre

One-to-one Professional Companioning (face to face)

Second week of October 2018

One-to-one Professional Companioning

Monday 15th October Completion of final paper

360o

Phillip Heath, Head of Barker College, Sydney, NSW

The AIS Flagship Program combines deep scholarship and research with outstanding practical experiences of reflective leadership in real settings. Participants in the Program bring their extensive personal attributes to learn collaboratively and respectfully from others. The professional shadowing experiences offer insights into the layers of leadership that are required to inspire the culture of a thriving school. The calibre of participants in the Flagship Program fills me with hope for the future of leadership in independent schools.

Megan Krimmer, Headmistress, Abbotsleigh, NSW

The AIS Flagship Program is impressive in its research based and scholarly approach to leading a school in the 21st century Australian context. The readings, thinking and resulting discussions are rich and lead to quite profound insight. The program is equally impressive in the practical arena. Those undertaking the Flagship Program have opportunities to learn from a variety of Principals and to shadow an experienced Principal. I have found that participants have developed a deep knowledge of strategic, macro and micro thinking and have understood as much about what the role of headship truly entails. The Flagship Program certainly provides an excellent preparation for an aspiring Principal.

Tim Bowden, Principal, Inaburra School, NSW

Two of our senior staff have participated in the AIS Flagship Program. Both have shared with me that the experience broadened and deepened their understanding of themselves, of educational leadership in general and of independent school leadership in particular. My observation is that their capacity and their confidence has increased through their experiences in the program. I think that the scope and rigour of the course are pitched appropriately, being both demanding and accessible for staff in senior positions.

What do Principals say?

“The AIS Leadership Centre has demonstrated that it offers world-class programs for the support of school leaders. It sets a high benchmark for other organisations that seek to do this well.”

Professor Brian Caldwell

Professor Louise Stoll (UK)

Professor Brian Caldwell (Australia)

Professor James Spillane (USA)

Professor Andy Hargreaves (USA)

Professor Karen Seashore Louis (USA)

“Whatever one’s style, every leader, to be effective, must have and work on improving his or her moral purpose. Moral purpose is about both ends and means. Authentic leaders, in other words, display character, and character is the defining characteristic of authentic leadership.” Fullan 2001

Application processThe Flagship Program is open to experienced senior leaders from across and beyond Australia, and from all education sectors. Places are limited and competition for these places is keen, so potential participants are encouraged to apply early. Applicants need the endorsement of their Principal and, in consultation with their Principal, will identify a senior leader within their school who will act as an in-school mentor for the duration of the program. (The in-school mentor may be the Principal.)

The Flagship Program is a rigorous and high-quality course, appropriate to the calibre of those who gain a place. The application form is available from the AIS Leadership Centre website:

www.aisnsw.edu.au/flagshipapplication

For more information please contact Anita Tam at adminLC@aisnsw.edu.au

Applications close on Friday, 1st September 2017.

The AIS Leadership CentreAcademic Reference GroupThis is an advisory body of renowned national and international scholars, from educational leadership and related fields, who act as critical friends to the AIS Leadership Centre Flagship Program.

CostExperienced senior leaders from any education sector within and beyond Australia are invited to apply. AISNSW recognises AIS membership of schools in other states and territories. The AIS member discounted rate applies to these schools.

Cost for participants from: GST inclusiveAIS Member Schools (in any state/territory) $9,350Applications from any other school will be considered. Please contact Jennifer Davies at jdavies@aisnsw.edu.au to discuss.

The program fee is inclusive of all course materials, one night’s accommodation for the residential component, and the program dinner on 10th December 2017. Participants will be responsible for bookings and costs associated with flights, ground travel and additional accommodation if required.Participants and their schools might consider sharing the cost of the program.

ScholarshipsPartial scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of sponsors for which the AIS Leadership Centre is grateful. A scholarship application form is available at:

www.aisnsw.edu.au/flagshipscholarship

NGS Super – five $3,000 scholarships for participants who are members, or eligible for membership, of NGS Super.

NGS Super Steiner Education Australia – two $3,000 scholarships for participants from Steiner Schools across Australia.

NAB Education – five $3,000 scholarships. Successful applicants will demonstrate awareness of NAB educational initiatives.

Aon – three $3,000 scholarships for participants from schools who are clients of Aon Insurance.

QBE – two $3,000 scholarships for participants from schools who are clients of QBE Insurance.

Integroe Partners – two $3,000 scholarships for participants from rural or regional schools.

Nexia – two $3,000 scholarships for participants from schools in rural locations.

Independent Schools Tasmania – one $5,000 scholarship for a participant from Tasmanian independent schools.

Karen Seashore Louis – one $5,000 scholarship to a participant from a school in South East Asia, Papua New Guinea or Western Australia

AIS ACT – two $3,000 scholarships for participants from ACT independent schools.

The AIS Leadership Centre is proudly sponsored by:

Successful completion of The Flagship Program converts to approximately two units of university credit towards a Master of Educational Leadership degree, or possible articulation towards a higher research degree, at a number of leading Australian universities.

Message from the Dean

In these times of ambiguity, complexity and increasing velocity of change, senior leaders and emerging Principals need more support than ever. In the education and the corporate sectors, leadership is now seen as both an inner journey of change and growing self-awareness and an outer journey of acquiring knowledge and skills. The Flagship Program incorporates extensive material for the outer journey – sound research, practical strategies, knowledge and skill development – and also multiple opportunities to equip oneself for the inner journey of reflection, resilience, creativity and wisdom.

Jennifer DaviesDean, AIS Leadership Centre The Association of Independent Schools of NSW

Completing The AIS Leadership Centre Flagship Program will contribute 65 hours of NESA registered professional learning addressing 6.1.4, 6.3.4, 7.2.4 and 7.4.4 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Lead Teacher Accreditation in NSW.