Leadership and learning go hand in hand

The intentional development of those called to be leaders is of deep significance to the future of the Lutheran education system. The link between school leadership and student outcomes is well established. In terms of school-based factors, leadership is second only to classroom instruction in its influence on student learning. A system which concerns itself with student outcomes will therefore also concern itself with developing leaders. In a Lutheran context, these leaders hold the uniquely Lutheran approach to education in their hands.

Lutheran Education Australia partners with the Graduate School of Business at Queensland University of Technology and ALC to provide a Leadership Development Program (LDP) for aspiring leaders in Lutheran schools and Early Childhood Services.

As part of this program, Dr Merryn Ruwoldt and Rev James Winderlich recently led a number of workshops for emerging leaders in both Victoria and Queensland. Deep conversations about the way in which Lutheran theology informs practice in Lutheran schools was a feature of both workshops. During the sessions, Merryn and James provided contextual provocations which assisted participants to engage with theological concepts in meaningful ways. This in turn helped participants grow their understanding of themselves as leaders in a Lutheran context.