Fostering passion for leadership
“Attending the World Edulead Conference is something I have wanted to do for a long time and with the scholarship, I can’t find a reason not to go — it’s forcing me to be brave”
AHorsham College assistant principal will travel to Singapore this year for the World Edulead Conference after winning a scholarship.
Meg Woolford received a $5000 scholarship from the Victorian Association of State Secondary Principals, VASSP.
Ms Woolford said VASSP was a group of government school principals and assistant principals who worked collaboratively to foster professional development and comradery.
“The scholarship was open to all members and was given to one person,” she said.
“I had to explain what I wanted to do, what the opportunity would provide me and how I would share that with others in VASSP and the region.
“I was blown away and overwhelmed to find out I had been awarded the scholarship.
“As assistant principal in a regional school, I felt pretty small fry and was not expecting it at all.”
Ms Woolford said the conference was a ‘fantastic’ opportunity.
“Attending the World Edulead Conference is something I have wanted to do for a long time and with the scholarship, I can’t find a reason not to go — it’s forcing me to be brave,” she said.
Ms Woolford said she was passionate about expanding the capability of teachers to become leaders.
She said the conference would help foster that passion.
“We have a shortage of principals across the state and I wouldn’t be where I am
without the coaching and mentoring I received from our principal Rob Pyers,” she said.
“I want to help build expertise from within and allow others to have the same opportunities as I have had.
“Also, the chance to hear from people doing research into best practise of teaching and leading is great. Being up-to-date is really important.”
The conference will run across four days in April.
“Conveniently, it is scheduled during our school holidays, so I can turn it into a holiday as well,” Ms Woolford.
“I have been supported by Rob Pyers, VASSP and the principal team here, so I also want to thank them for helping me take this opportunity.”