The Women in School Leadership (WISL) pilot program was a blended model of onshore and offshore professional learning for a select group of female principals in Victoria and India. This program supported principals to explore and discuss the theme of Leading schools for social change, with a particular focus on the Framework for Improving Student Outcomes (FISO) dimension: Health and Wellbeing.
The pilot program saw six Victorian and six Indian principals engaged in reciprocal immersion experiences in Delhi and Victoria during 2019 and 2020. The program was developed as part of Victoria's India Strategy: Our Shared Future and was one of three school education initiatives enhancing engagement between Victorian and Indian schools. The WISL pilot program provided a subsidy for female principals of Victorian government schools to stimulate their curiosity, understanding and interest in engaging more deeply with India.
Prior to the pandemic the program involved:
- formal professional learning
- interactions with leaders in business, community and education sectors
- an in-school component with a partner principal, including a homestay.
This program was developed in partnership with the Asia Education Foundation and the Australia India Institute at the University of Melbourne and adapted as an online program in 2020.
Program dates
Australian participants travelled to India: 14 - 24 September 2019
Indian participants travel to Australia: No longer possible due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
Replacement monthly webinar and coaching seires: Late August to December 2020.
Participating principals
Participating principals for the 2019 Women in School Leadership pilot program:
- Lisa Branch - Victoria Road Primary School
- Chris Bozikas - Roxburgh Rise Primary School
- Eva McMaster - Doncaster Secondary College
- Natasha Mudie - Murrayville Community College
- Trudie Nagle - Bairnsdale Primary School
- Danielle Stella - Taylors Hill Primary School
This group represents DET’s four major regions and are a mix of urban, regional and rural schools, which will showcase the breadth of experience Victoria’s educators have to share.
Contact us for more information
If you have any questions regarding the WISL pilot program, please email wisl@edumail.vic.gov.au
