TWO Katherine educators are showing their commitment to their students by heading back to the classroom as part of a year-long professional development program.
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Katherine South Primary School principal Daniel Murtas and Casurina Street Primary School principal John Cleary are two of the 10 Territorians taking part in the Executive Development for Educational Leaders program.
The seven-phase program is being delivered by Charles Darwin University and the Queensland Education Leadership Institute, and Mr Murtas said he jumped at the opportunity to participate.
“I wanted to take part in the course to be able to have an impact on educational reform in the NT,” he said.
“The program will enhance my leadership style and enable me to continue making a positive impact on education at Katherine South Primary School and in the NT.”
As part of the program, the pair will be required to undertake individual research projects and Mr Cleary said his would involve investigating how schools create priorities and direction.
The program includes a benchmarking tour of schools in China but both principals praised the standard of education in Katherine, stating they believed regular attendance was the critical.
“Students in Katherine have access to an excellent education system,” Mr Murtas explained.
“Regular attendance and intervention is the key to ensuring students are capable of meeting year level standards, and this needs to happen from when students commence school.”
“Movement between schools in the region can also provide difficulty for students in building continuity and consistency in their schooling,” Mr Cleary added.
“A big challenge facing our students is also the changing world around them and an ability to predict and develop the competencies and skills that employers throughout Australia and Asia are going to be looking for by the time they leave school.”
