Principal set for Harvard study tour

Margaret River Primary School principal Aaron Thomas will go back to school in May, joining a group of 20 principals on a two-week study trip to Harvard University in the US.

Mr Thomas and other independent public school principals from around WA will visit Harvard’s Graduate School of Education for talks with experts on organisation design and education reform.

Mr Thomas said he looked forward to visiting the US and hearing “exciting ideas from people around the world”.

“I can’t wait,” he said.

The principal said he and his peers would get to discuss ideas with experts face-to-face rather than sit in lectures.

Education Minister Peter Collier said the principals would complete an online course after attending Harvard and carry out short-term projects to reform parts of their schools.

“They, along with 20 principals currently in the program, will form a pool of highly skilled leaders who can be called on by the Department of Education for a range of roles, including acting as mentors to other principals and contributing to school leadership development programs,” he said.

Mr Collier said each principal who completed the program would become an Independent Public School fellow.