By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
FOR one day four grade six students from St Mary’s Primary School weren’t themselves – instead they were the principal of the school.
A big job reserved normally for one was spread around the students and their principal, Greg White, from the first bell to the last.
Lunch was had in the staff room with fellow colleagues along with a special welcome morning tea.
The students then hit the playground for yard duty among answering the phone and attending meetings.
Mr White said the students, who were in professional attire, even gave him advice.
“They got to shadow me for the day and we received some excellent feedback from them.
“One student said it was one of the best things they’d done all year,” Mr White said.
This is the second time the school has got on board with the national initiative and Mr White said it won’t be the last.
“Just to be absorbed into what leaders do around the school on a daily basis was very exciting, the day gives me a chance to listen to their student voice and that’s something we should do more often,” he said.
The students got to read a picture book to a classroom of younger students and answer their questions about the book a part of ‘story time with the principal’ which is something Mr White does three times per term with parents and students.
“We walked around the school and discussed any safety hazards we could identify and held a meeting to discuss what it means to be a leader,” he said.
Grade five and six students were all welcome to apply to become the principal for the day and Mr White said there were so many good entries he couldn’t pick just one student.
“They had to write a persuasive text on why they should be picked.
“I read them all and the quality was so good I choose four,” he said.
Three hundred students and 176 schools across Australia participated in the Principals Australia Institute’s Principal for a Day program.
The institute sent a package of goodies to the four students which they opened at the morning assembly.
“They were presented at the flag-raising assembly with certificates, badges and a cap from the Principals Australia Institute.
“I think the whole day was a highlight for them, it was an opportunity they were given and something they will treasure forever,” Mr White said.
