Transforming educational outcomes for the better was one of the key reasons James Kozlowski was chosen for a prestigious global program.
The principal of Endeavour Sports High School was one of four school leaders selected for this year’s Public Education Foundation’s Harvard Scholarship.
He will undertake a leadership program designed for school principals at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, in June.
The foundation, along with Teachers Mutual Bank and the Harvard Club of Australia, is sending recipients to the US to participate in the professional education program that is tailor‐made for principals.
Mr Kozlowski says is he proud to share his school’s success with the world.
“To be rewarded with this scholarship, doing a job I love, is not just recognition of my work but an acknowledgement of the achievements and success of my school,” he said.
“Endeavour has achieved its largest student population in a decade despite dramatically raising academic criteria for enrolment.
“The school has grown by 23 per cent since 2014, with years 7-10 increasing by 41 per cent and year 7 and 8 by 50 per cent.
“The demand for places is much greater than the supply.”
The school also achieved its best-ever NAPLAN results in 2017.
“Our extension class program, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) program and our high expectations policy ensure that academic success is our number one priority,” Mr Kozlowski said.
“We have also employed a HSC mentor who has a doctorate in raising student achievement, and have a maths partnership with the University of Technology.
“Our targeted sports program has grown in terms of the number of sports we offer and the number of athletes in each sport.
“From 2017 the University of Sydney has been delivering a sports science program to all of our athletes, and we have partnerships with Sydney FC, the Sydney Swans, Cricket NSW, Netball NSW, Basketball NSW, Baseball NSW, Shire Elite Cheerleading and Hockey NSW.”
But he says a principal’s role is never easy.
“With it comes an enormous responsibility to serve our community,” he said.
“Cultural change and raising whole school achievement is always challenging, but even I have been surprised by the extent of the change and the success we have achieved in such a short period of time.
“I am pleased for my incredible staff and students that community perception of Endeavour has become so positive.”
The Harvard program offers school leaders the opportunity to reflect on their practices and focus on future direction.
“You never stop learning as a leader,” Mr Kozlowski said.
“I will be learning alongside some of the very best school leaders in the world, at one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
“I want to ensure that Endeavour is at the forefront of employing the best strategies to continue our success. I know that my Harvard experience will be Endeavour’s as well.”
