Education Week 2008
A love of learning, NSW Public Schools – leading the way

Education Week is held each year in public schools across the state where you can join in a wide range of local and regional activities and events showcasing the quality and diversity of education across NSW - from informative workshops and sample lessons to school expos, community projects, demonstrations and award presentations.

Check out the latest photos from Education Week 2008 held from 26 May to 1 June.

Many themed days are held during Education Week including Principal for a Day, Director-General for a Day and Public Education Day.

Principal for a Day is a community partnership program which provides business and community leaders the opportunity to experience first-hand a government school. The program has been operating in NSW since 2004 and is part of a global program, with sister programs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Auckland.

Through the program, business and community leaders experience a range of activities including in-depth leadership discussions with school principals, taking classes with students and talking to parents and staff. The type of activity is negotiated with the principal.

Principals for a Day and their host principals are invited to attend a forum with senior departmental officers to share experiences, exchange observations and discuss ideas. In 2008, Dr Keith Suter, Wesley Mission, was the forum facilitator.

More information is available from the Professional Learning and Leadership Development website.

Director-General for a Day provides opportunities for secondary students to learn about the challenges and satisfactions of working in senior management in the Department and allows students to find out how educational policy relates to schools. 

In 2008, there were one hundred Expressions of Interest for Director-General for a Day from students in Years 9, 10 and 11 representing all educational regions. Two candidates (one male and one female) became Director-General for a Day and other students took on positions such as Deputy Director-General (Schools) for a Day, General Manager for a Day or Director for a Day. In regions, students became Regional Directors or School Education Directors for a Day.

Learning to be a leader through student leadership programs is a great way for students to have more fun, feel more connected and to find ways to contribute their ideas and skills.

Public Education Day celebrates the values, traditions and achievements of public education in Australia and is usually held on the Thursday of Education Week.

The day recognises the learning successes of all students and the commitment of teachers, staff and parents to the public education system in Australia.

Watch this space for Education Week 2009 updates!