26 May 2009

Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth will today experience first-hand what it's like to run Rooty Hill Public School during Education Week's Principal for a Day program.

Minister Firth said the program gives community and business leaders a chance to 'shadow' a NSW public school principal and provides a valuable behind-the-scenes view of the rewards and challenges of school life.

"This is a terrific opportunity and I am particularly excited to gain a greater understanding of the daily challenges of a hard-working school principal," Ms Firth said.

"In my time as Education Minister I have visited many schools, but have never acted in the place of the school principal.

"This will give me a chance to speak to the staff and students of Rooty Hill Public School about what they think is important about public education and training," she said.

As well as meeting parents, liaising with staff and leading classes, Minister Firth will participate in the many and varied tasks her real life counterpart handles every workday.

Rooty Hill Public School Principal, Jackie Malecki said the school was thrilled to welcome Minister Firth to the school for the afternoon.

This is a terrific opportunity for the Minister to witness first-hand the daily life of Rooty Hill Public School," Ms Malecki said.

"The Minister will sit in on a staff meeting, meet with parents and join students in classrooms.

"I know our school will be very pleased to meet with the Minister," she said

State-wide, more than 50 NSW public schools will host a Principal for a Day in 2009, with participants including:

  • Professor Mary O'Kane, NSW Chief Scientist
  • Philip Cronin, General Manager Intel Australia and New Zealand
  • Tracey Fellows, Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft Australia
  • Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director, NSW Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer, Carnival Australia
  • Tony Thirlwell, Chief Executive Officer, Heart Foundation
  • Gillian Calvert, Commissioner for Children and Young People

Principal for a Day, which began in New York more than 10 years ago, now operates internationally.

In Australia, the program runs in partnership with the Australian Council for Educational Research and has helped hundreds of schools around the country develop relationships that last long after the event day.