Leadership Short Course
Harvard Graduate School of Education – Principals’ Center
A small number of scholarship opportunities are available to mid-career principals currently
employed by the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development (DECD).
Scholarships are offered by the Public Education Foundation (PEF) and sponsors include the
Harvard Club of Australia, the Teachers Mutual Bank and the PEF. Successful applicants will
receive sponsorship valued at $14 000. This includes course fees, travel and accommodation.
Selection process
1. First stage: Submit your full application with cover letter to DECD. Your cover letter must
express your interest in a scholarship and explain in no more than 250 words how you
will apply learning from your nominated leadership course to your work in DECD.
2. Second stage: DECD will submit eligible applications to the Public Education Foundation
(PEF) selection process, for consideration by the PEF selection panel.
Applications are due to DECD on Monday 22 February 2016 at 5.00pm
1. Please complete, scan, attach and send your application with cover letter via email to:
decd.scholarships@sa.gov.au
2. If email is not possible, please send the original, signed application to:
Attention: Michelle ANTUNES
SAIEL Scholarship Programs, Workforce Development, DECD
Courier R11/58 or
GPO Box 1152, ADELAIDE SA 5001
Please note: incomplete or incorrectly completed applications may not be considered.
Successful applicants will be advised of the outcome of the selection processes in early 2016.
Further information
Please direct queries in the first instance to:
Telephone: 8463 7556
Email: decd.scholarships@sa.gov.au
Checklist
Carefully check and ensure you meet the prerequisites for scholarships and course
Complete full application form with cover letter
Attach your CV
Have your Education Director endorse your application
Advise your Education Director and other referees that they may be contacted
Make and keep a copy of this application for your records
Who can apply?
To be eligible for a Harvard Club of Australia Education scholarship, you must:
 be a current principal in a government primary or secondary school (assistant principals, deputy
principals and pre-school directors are not in scope for these leadership courses);
 be a mid-career principal. Ideally applicants will have served as a principal in a government primary or
secondary school in Australia for between three and ten years;
 be committed to continue as principal in the government school system for at least another five years;
 be available to share your learnings and act as an Ambassador for the Public Education Foundation, SA
Department for Education and Child Development and the Teachers Mutual Bank (if applicable) on
return.
Previous applicants are welcome to reapply.
Please note that scholarship recipients are responsible for obtaining the consent of their employer prior to
accepting this award and prior to travel as appropriate.
What does the scholarship provide?
Each scholarship is valued at approximately $14 000 and includes:
 all tuition fees for one of two Harvard Graduate School of Education programs, either Improving
Schools: The Art of Leadership or Leadership: an Evolving Vision;
 return airfares;
 accommodation for the duration of the course.
What courses are on offer as part of this scholarship opportunity?
There are two courses offered by the Harvard Graduate School of Education – Principals’ Center which this
scholarship opportunity can fund. You need to choose which of these two programs is most relevant to
your needs and interests. You will only be funded to attend one program. The choice is:
 Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership
More information: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/program/improving-schools-art-leadership
Suitable for 1-5 years of leadership experience
Course dates: 26 June 2016 – 2 July 2016
 Leadership: an Evolving Vision
More information: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/program/leadership-evolving-vision
Suitable for 3+ years of leadership experience
Course dates: 10 July 2016 – 16 July 2016
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What are the selection criteria?
The selection panel will consider the following selection criteria:
 evidence of significant ability as a school leader, commitment to public education and capacity for
leadership into the future;
 evidence of a candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and
education;
 other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s suitability for
a Harvard Club of Australia Education Scholarship.
Who selects the scholarship recipients?
A selection panel will review all scholarship applications according to the criteria set out in the application
form. The selection panel will include a representative of the Public Education Foundation, the Harvard
Club of Australia, Teachers Mutual Bank and a serving public school principal. After considering all
applications, the selection panel will make recommendations to the Board of the Public Education
Foundation for approval.
Please note that the selection panel may invite a number of applicants for interview before making its final
decision.
What are the terms and conditions of the scholarships?
It is a condition of the scholarship that funds provided are used for purposes consistent with the intent of
the scholarship. Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the terms and
conditions available online here.
How do I apply for this scholarship opportunity?
Principals should apply using the application form beginning on the next page.
The application form requires you to:
 complete a short answer questionnaire;
 provide references from two referees. Your first referee must be from the education sector, for
example your supervisor or area director. The second referee is a ‘community referee’, for example
your local Member of Parliament, local PCYC director or Rotary Club President;
 provide a copy of your CV, complete with your educational qualifications, your employment and
teaching history and information about any extra-curricular activities you have undertaken as part of
your schooling duties.
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1. Applicant details
Title
First name
Surname
Preferred name
Employee ID number
Home address
Post code
Home telephone
Department email
Mobile
@schools.sa.edu.au
Alternate email
(Optional) Do you identify as
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Yes
No
Would you like your application to be considered for all scholarships that provide sponsorship for this
same Harvard leadership short course?
Yes
No
2. Current employment
The Public Education Foundation has advised that this opportunity is only open to Principals.
Assistant Principals, Deputy Principals and Pre-School Directors are not eligible to apply at this time.
Employment status with DECD
Contract employment
Permanent full-time
Contract length
Permanent part-time
Contract end date
Number of years as a public school principal
Current position
Current site
Site number
Site address
Post code
Site telephone
Total enrolment
Student attendance rate
% of indigenous students
% LBOTE students
% of students with special needs
Please outline any additional school funding, on top of your base grant, received through government
or philanthropic funds, including P&C fundraising (you may add an additional page if required).
I confirm that I have attached a copy of my Curriculum Vitae to this application which
includes: educational qualifications, employment and teaching history and information
about any extra-curricular activities undertaken as part of schooling duties.
Yes
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3. Short answer questionnaire
You may add additional pages if required, but please write no more than 250 words for each answer.
a) Please describe your school, programs and educational values, and provide a brief description of
your school’s student body and faculty; include anything unique or special about your school.
b) Discuss your most significant challenge and its impact on your role as a school leader.
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c)
Please describe an achievement at your school that you are particularly proud of. Outline how you
set about achieving this and how you measured your success, giving specific reference to student
learning outcomes.
d) On your return from Harvard, how do you propose to share your learnings with other
educators?
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e) There are two courses on offer as part of this scholarship opportunity. You will need to choose one:
1) Improving Schools: The Art of Leadership
More information: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/program/improving-schools-artleadership
Suitable for 1-5 years of leadership experience
Course dates: 26 June 2016 – 2 July 2016
2) Leadership: an Evolving Vision
More information: http://www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/program/leadership-evolving-vision
Suitable for 3+ years of leadership experience
Course dates: 10 July 2016 – 16 July 2016


Which one of the two courses do you think will be the most relevant to you?
What do you hope to gain from this course?
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4. Referee 1: Education Sector Referee
Title
First name
Surname
Preferred name
Position
Organisation
Address
Post code
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Referees should refer to the following selection criteria when completing their statement:
 evidence of candidate’s significant ability as a school leader, commitment to public education and
capacity for leadership into the future;
 evidence of candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education;
 any other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s
suitability for a Harvard Club of Australia Education Scholarship.
Referee’s statement (max 250 words):
Education Referee Signature
Date
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5. Referee 2: Community Referee
Title
First name
Surname
Preferred name
Position
Organisation
Address
Post code
Telephone
Mobile
Email
Referees should refer to the following selection criteria when completing their statement:
 evidence of candidate’s significant ability as a school leader, commitment to public education and
capacity for leadership into the future;
 evidence of candidate’s enthusiasm for furthering their own professional development and education;
 any other personal qualities and personal circumstances that would enhance the candidate’s
suitability for a Harvard Club of Australia Education Scholarship.
Referee’s statement (max 250 words):
Community Referee Signature
Date
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6. Education Director endorsement
Your Education Director must endorse this section of your application.
They have the option to add comments below.
Please note that you may also nominate your Education Director as your Education Sector Referee.
Education Director’s comments - optional (max 200 words):
This section must be completed by the Education Director.
Education Director name
Education Director signature
Education Director contact number
Education Director DECD email address @schools.sa.edu.au
Date
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7. Applicant agreement
I have read and agree to the scholarship terms and conditions
Yes
I give permission to the Public Education Foundation to collect, use, and disclose my
personal information in this application form for the purpose of assessment and
administration of the scholarship
Yes
If successful in my application, I give permission to the Public Education Foundation to
publicise my name, school, photograph, and scholarship award on the website of the
Public Education Foundation, via email, print and electronic media
Yes
I understand that during the scholarship selection process my personal information will
be shared with selection panel members and may be shared with other parties in order
to comply with our obligations of care
Yes
If you would like to be added to the Public Education Foundation’s list to receive further
information about other scholarship opportunities please check here
Yes
I certify that the information I have provided on this application form is accurate, up-todate and complete. In applying, I acknowledge that personal information about me will be
used in the interests of the proper and prudent management of this scholarship
opportunity, including my name appearing in media releases.
Yes
Applicant name
Applicant signature
Date
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