Congratulations to the 48 aspiring and current school leaders who recently completed the first cohort of our Rural and Remote Leadership Development Program (RnRLDP).

The RnRLDP enhances leadership development through the delivery of rural and remote-centric learning opportunities.

Throughout the 9-month program, participants engaged in online seminars and short, periodic webinars run by expert facilitators from the School Leadership Institute and our academic partners Emeritus Professor John Halsey and Dr Cam Brooks.

Graduates received additional support from 24 experienced mentors, who were required to spend time with each leader in an on-school residential, an experience all involved found invaluable.

Participants said the RnRLDP helped them improve their confidence as leaders and greatly enhanced their capacity to lead with influence and impact. This was reflected in the leadership submissions they were required to complete, which included a school-based inquiry project and personalised digital story.

The participants collectively spoke of a growing confidence in their ability to draw on and enact the program’s leadership mindsets of being student-centred, curious, collaborative, courageous and growth-oriented.

The RnRLDP has been developed with experts in rural and remote education and is tailored specifically to meet the needs of schools in rural and remote communities.

Of the 54 first cohort participants, 38 were from primary schools, 10 from secondary schools, 4 from school settings and 2 from non-school settings.

The program explores the key concepts of contextual leadership, pedagogical expertise and cultural humility.

Cohort 2 of the RnRLDP has now commenced, with 67 participants involved.