Almost 200 school leaders participated in the School Leadership Institute's Regional, Rural and Remote Leadership Program (RRRLP) during Term 2, with the SLI team visiting schools in the Albury, Northern Tablelands and Central West regions.

The tailored program supports school leaders to strengthen their leadership capability through practical, evidence-informed strategies, professional dialogue, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from other schools.

SLI Executive Director Joanne Jarvis and Principals Karen Maraga and Corinna Robinson led the learning at different sessions, drawing on the Institute’s extensive resources for aspiring and current leaders.

At Billabong High School in Culcairn, 55 leaders from 24 schools began their involvement in the program with a session on collaborative culture. Participants explored strategies to foster collaboration, build trust, and create conditions for effective teamwork within their schools.

“I loved the collaboration and connections with staff across other schools. Networking is so valuable,” one participant said.

Participants from 7 schools engaged in sessions on Feedback Culture at Glen Innes High School, with 86 per cent reporting a significant increase in their knowledge of how to create the conditions for an effective feedback culture.

Wrapping up the RRRLP in the Central West

School leaders from Dubbo, Orange and Cowra who have been part of the RRRLP since 2025 finished their time in the program last week, with 27 participants engaging in learning about Feedback Culture. Participants said they valued the practical strategies shared throughout the day, with one leader describing the learning as "immensely helpful in supporting middle leaders and people like me who are in relieving higher duties positions."

SLI Principal Karen Maraga said it was inspiring to see the commitment and dedication of educators in regional and rural schools, many of whom had travelled long distances to take part in the program.

“Our leaders are from a diverse range of schools, some of them in small or isolated contexts. But what unites them is they all want the absolute best for every single student in their schools,” she said.