Wenona Welcomes AHISA Heads
On Monday 8 April, Wenona welcomed Heads and teachers from 26 different schools, spanning Western Australia to Hamilton, New Zealand. The tour was part of a pre-conference program for the AHISA leading, learning and caring conference, “Vision in Volatility”.
AHISA (Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia) focuses on ensuring that the roles of school Heads and Principals move and keep apace with the ever-changing educational landscape. As schools evolve, so to do governance and community expectations, making modern Headships demanding and rigorous roles.
Ms Nicole Timbrell, Deputy Principal (Professional Practice and Culture), and Ms Noosha Jalili, Dean of Staff, led a tour of the Senior campus, showcasing some of the School’s facilities such as the swimming pool, Independent Theatre and library. The tours are a chance for peers to learn about what is happening in similar schools in the region, from building facilities to pedagogy, which participants can then look to embed in their own schools. It’s an opportunity to network, discuss ideas, and see how other leading schools tackle similar challenges in current day education and whole school leadership.
“Wenona often has requests from schools around Australia to visit so they can learn about key aspects of our approach to girls’ education. These visits form an important aspect of our purpose, in sharing what we do with the broader educational community. They are a two-way learning process, as we also gain valuable insights into how other schools tackle the myriad of opportunities and challenges facing elite educational establishments,” said Ms Jalili. When asked if there were any particular aspects to Wenona that other Heads are most interested in, she added, “We have many special aspects that set us apart, however, one aspect which many peers are interested in is our Renaissance women’s approach, which underpins our framework and is aligned with providing a holistic education for our students. An education where our students are engaged and have dabbled in all facets of what is on offer so that they graduate knowing who they are, the world around them and understanding the role they play in their community.”