NEW LEADERS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL NETWORKS

New Regional Network Leaders will provide schools with on-the-ground leadership and support to help deliver the Brumby Government’s education reform agenda.

Education Minister Bronwyn Pike said today the first 55 of 70 Regional Network Leaders (RNLs) appointed this week will each lead and manage a network of Victorian Government schools and improve the quality of the education system and overall performance of all students.

“Strong leadership is a major contributor to excellence in schools and the Regional Network Leaders initiative is part of our comprehensive focus on building leadership in our education system to benefit students,” Ms Pike said.

“Our recently launched Education Blueprint recognises that better leadership throughout schools, better support for parents to involve them in their child’s learning and a restructure of school networks state-wide will be the drivers for future excellence in education in Victoria.

“The Brumby Government is committed to lifting up all schools to a standard of excellence, so that every child has every opportunity to succeed.

“Our new Regional Network leaders will join regional leadership teams to support schools to rollout this Government’s improvement agenda and continue our commitment to education.”

The first 55 RNLs to be appointed across the state were selected from an outstanding field of educators after an extensive application and interview process and begin in term four.

They will be responsible for implementing strategic plans for school networks and professional learning strategies to boost school results and student performance.

Ms Pike said the Regional Network Leaders built on the Blueprint reforms of stronger interventions and more intensive monitoring in under-performing schools and building a culture of strong leadership and professional learning.

Other Blueprint reforms to strengthen school leadership include the recently announced plan to establish a $10 million Institute of Educational Leadership to develop current and aspiring school leaders and the plan to legislate to allow executive contracts for school principals.

The remaining 15 unfilled RNL positions across the nine education regions will be advertised on Wednesday, 17 September.