Principal for a Day and ACER unite to lead the way in business-education partnerships

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release Monday 14 August 2006 Principal for a Day and Australian Council for Educational Research unite to lead the way in business-education partnerships The Principal for a Day event on 17 August will be the first from its new home at the prestigious Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). The program, a pioneer in growing lasting relationships between government schools, business and the wider community will involve 85 “Principals for a Day”, including ACER’s Chief Executive, Professor Geoff Masters. “The Principal for a Day program provides an ideal fit with ACER’s goal to expand on the work it already does in support of school leadership” Geoff Masters said today. “Research points to the importance of strong leadership in schools, especially in disadvantaged schools, and the Principal for a Day program tackles this issue head on.” “The program assists in building relationships between government schools and leadership in other parts of the community, including the corporate world. Principal for a Day raises awareness of what modern government schools are all about.” Professor Masters is joined by “repeat” participants such as Treasurer John Brumby, VicHealth’s Rob Moodie and Telstra’s Andrea Grant together with first-timers Education Minister Lynne Kosky, Albert Goller, Managing Director of Siemens Australia, Sandie de Wolf, CEO of Berry Street Victoria and Emergency Services Commissioner, Bruce Esplin. The program was started by the Victorian Government in 2001 and has since involved almost 800 Australian leaders from all walks of life. 93% of “Principals for a Day” maintain on-going relationships with the schools, according to an independent evaluation sponsored by corporate supporter mecu Limited and conducted by Deakin University. Minister for Education, Lynne Kosky, said the program gives Victorian leaders a unique insight into Government schools and the opportunity to engage in a genuine exchange of information and ideas. “Community and business people with all kinds of leadership experiences will engage with principals, students and the whole community as they gain an insight into the wonderful work being done in our schools,” Ms. Kosky said. The program is funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training and sponsored by education credit union mecu Limited. For a full list of participating schools and Principals for a Day, visit www.principalforaday.com.au ****************ENDS*************