Eleanor Davis School Leadership Program

Program origins

The Eleanor Davis School Leadership Program celebrates the life and work of Eleanor Davis who died in 1991 after earning widespread admiration and affection during a career in education which spanned more than thirty years.

Eleanor Davis was a highly respected school educator. She was a role model and an inspiring and challenging friend, remembered for her own achievements and also for the encouragement she offered to women teachers to seek promotion, especially to the Principal Class.

Eleanor’s contribution to education, to the development of future leaders, particularly women, her strong advocacy and the positive principles she lived by underpin this program which started as a two week pilot shadowing project in 1992.

Who can participate?

The program is open to female leading teachers and assistant principals aspiring to a principal position.

What will I learn?

The Eleanor Davis School Leadership Program is a leadership development, mentoring and shadowing program designed for women with high potential for future school principalship.

The program aims to:

• provide participants with first-hand experience of day-to-day school leadership;
• incorporate a focus on student outcomes and collaborative learning, including reflection and feedback; and
• provide an emphasis on individual and collective responsibility at all levels of the system: school, network, region, and the centre.

How is the program structured?

The program is delivered over five months and includes:

• matching with a suitable mentor;
• preparatory reading, research and reflection;
• three major leadership and learning seminars, including a residential induction program;
• a 360-degree assessment and focused reflection;
• two placements in the mentor principal’s school for a total of eight days for intense observation, interaction and shadowing; and
• development and implementation of a school-based project and an individual leadership development plan.

What assistance is provided?

The cost of the program is covered. This includes program materials, accommodation for the residential workshop and meals for all workshops. Eight CRT days will be provided to cover the shadowing component of this program.

Travel costs are not covered.

What is expected of me?

Participants are expected to:

• attend three seminars in Melbourne, held at Induction, Mid-Program and End Program;
• conduct pre-program research, reading and reflective exercises;
• undertake a school-based action learning project with the support of their mentor;
• complete a reflective learning journal;
• develop an individual leadership development plan; and
• give a presentation on their learning and the impact of the program to a group of peers and mentors.

How do I become involved?

Principals who wish to be considered for selection as a mentor should make their interest and relevant experience known to their regional office contact.

Applicants must complete the Expression of Interest Form which is to be supported by their principal, or Senior Education Officer for principal applicants.

For further information about this program please download the Detailed Program Information booklet (PDF - 260Kb)

Expressions of Interest for the 2010 program will open at the end of Term 3.

Key Dates 2009

Provider: Silent Partners

The program is delivered over five months and includes:

• matching with a suitable mentor -  February/March
• preparatory reading, research and reflection - March-April
• three major leadership and learning seminars including a residential induction program
• Induction program workshop - Friday 22 & Saturday 23 May
• Mid program workshop - Friday 24 July
• End program workshop - Friday 11 September
• iLead 360° Survey assessment and focused reflection - February/March
• two placements in the mentor principal’s school for a total of eight days for intense observation, interaction and shadowing in Terms 2 & 3, development and implementation of a school-based project and an individual leadership development plan.

Who do I contact for further information?

For other information about the program, please contact the School Leadership Unit or your Regional Office.

Application under Equal Opportunity Act 1995: Exemption No A298 of 2006