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UWS Vice-Chancellor becomes 'Principal for a Day'

Date: 18/05/2005

When students at Fairfield High School walk into their classrooms today, they may notice a new kid on the block, or a new principal to be more precise. University of Western Sydney Vice-Chancellor, Professor Janice Reid, is set to become the school's 'Principal for a Day'.

Professor Reid is one of 50 community and business leaders who are taking part in this innovative program, being run throughout public schools in the Sydney Metropolitan area on Wednesday 18 May.

Principal for a Day is a community partnership, which gives business and community leaders a chance to experience first-hand the day-to-day issues facing government primary and secondary schools, and give them an opportunity to meet with students, staff and the wider school community.

It's the second year Principal for a Day has run in New South Wales. It's a global initiative that has achieved great success, with sister programs also running in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Auckland.

Professor Reid's school, Fairfield High, is located in Sydney's south-west.

Fairfield High School is a veritable cultural melting pot, with no less than 62 nationalities and some 78 different languages among its 1200-strong student population.

Because 96 per cent of its students are from non-English speaking backgrounds, it has an Intensive English Centre attached to its teaching facilities. This Centre plays a vital role in teaching English to young children, many of whom have come to Australia as refugees.

Professor Reid will spend the morning learning more about her new school.

At 9am she has a meeting with the Student Representative Council and a discussion with the School's Principal, Mr Bob Dunne.

Working with Mr Dunne, she will visit the Intensive English Centre, stop into classrooms, be interviewed by students, tour the music room and art areas, mingle and talk with students during the recess break, and meet with school management and staff discuss current school issues.

Professor Reid says she is looking forward to taking up her new role as Principal for a Day.

"I am very pleased to have been asked to take part in this program. I think it's an important initiative that is having great success in forging links between schools and the wider community," she says.

"The program's been found to encourage more mentoring, development programs and stronger relationships between public schools and community groups and organisations.

"I started my career as a high school science teacher, but it has been a while since I've been in the classroom. However, I'm told the school is incredibly welcoming, and I'm very much looking forward to meeting some inspiring teachers and students."

WHEN:Wednesday 18 May 2005
WHERE:Fairfield High School, The Horsley Drive, Fairfield
TIME:9.00am to 1pm

Ends

Contact:
Media Services Manager
Amanda Whibley
a.whibley@uws.edu.au
02 9678 7084, 0418 438 399

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