Centre Mission Statement

The Purpose and Role of the Centre

The link between quality educational leadership and quality schooling is well documented in the research both in Australia and Internationally. In recent times this fact has been emphasised in the Commonwealth government Report, "Teachers for the 21st Century Making a Difference" (1999) which states that strong leadership was a significant factor in successful innovation and the resultant impact upon student learning outcomes. In NSW the Report of the Review of Teacher Education: "Quality matters, Revitalising Teacher: Critical Times, Critical Choices" (2000) states "Good educational leaders affect for the better the pedagogy of teachers and the quality of student learning"p84.

The effective practice of educational leadership whilst acknowledging the significant role of the principal recognises that educational leadership is a role shared by many in the school community.

Because of the nature of schools and schooling the educational leadership role is complex, challenging and constantly changing. The demands of the role, not always appreciated by the general community, requires particular personal and professional characteristics to be fulfilled effectively.

Government employers, professional associations and tertiary institutions are increasingly acknowledging the importance of the role and the need for quality training, professional development and support.

The establishment of a Centre for Educational leadership recognises the inherent importance of education leadership and the importance of an entity providing a link between employers, professional associations, universities and Government. The Centre for Educational Leadership will achieve this aim through

• Encouraging best practice
• Collaborating with other similar Centres nationally and internationally
• Encouraging the visitation of high profile scholars in educational leadership
• Encouraging research to further the practice of educational leadership
• Facilitating the exchange of educational leaders
• Arranging for courses of study, conferences, research activities and workshops (it is not envisaged that the Centre will provide formal courses of study that lead to the award of a qualification)
• Publishing materials to promote educational leadership
• Liaising with other organisations systems of education, professional groups and Government
• Obtaining access and making representations in regard to educational leadership
• Assisting in the brokerage of activities
• Assisting in the marketing of educational leadership activities
• Collecting and storing information relating to educational leadership activities
• Developing frameworks for excellence in school leadership

Although the Centre will have an obvious (and necessary) regional and organisational nexus with the University of Wollongong of which it will, in a legal sense, form part, its principle purpose and focus will be that of a national and international advocate to promote to government, industry and to the community at large, on behalf of its constituent stakeholder, the inherent value and importance of educational leadership for the ultimate benefit of all Australians.