Dara School, Australia’s first school dedicated exclusively to gifted education, has announced a new leadership model, adding to a growing trend across Australian schools.
From Term 4 this year, Ms Tania Allen and Dr Emma Goodall will take up the joint role of co-principals, after a nationwide recruitment search. Ms Allen, who has been a teacher with Dara since its inception and has been serving as Interim Principal for most of this year, is deeply respected within the community, bringing leadership experience and nuanced knowledge of Dara’s specialised educational context. Dr Goodall is a nationally recognised leader in inclusive and gifted education, bringing extensive experience in teaching, research and system leadership.
“There is growing research and recognition of the benefits of co-principal leadership, including greater collaboration, long-term sustainability, and a shared vision, and Dara has never been afraid to blaze a trail in education,” the Dara School Board said in a statement. “We had many high-quality candidates from all over Australia, and it’s a credit to Ms Allen and Dr Goodall that they were identified as outstanding leaders for Dara’s future.”
In recent research, observers such as Dr Deborah Netolicky and Emeritus Professor Patrick Duignan have called for educational leadership that demonstrates intuition, adaptive responsiveness, and continuous learning. In New Zealand, Dr Marion Court has researched the impact of shared leadership models for strengthening women’s careers in education, and changing the gendered discourses of team leadership.
Other schools already championing the co-principal model include Star of the Sea School and Suneden Specialist School (both in Adelaide, South Australia), Logan Park High School (New Zealand), and Gunbalanya School (West Arnhem Land).
“The choice to establish an innovative leadership structure reflects Dara’s commitment to pioneering educational practices for gifted learners,” said Ms Allen. “It is a privilege to embark on this shared leadership role with Emma as we look to the future. With an incredible team of educators and a passionate community, we are well positioned to provide the very best opportunities for our students now and in the years ahead.”
“I am really excited to be working alongside Tania to support Dara’s gifted students to achieve their potential. To be able to work in a truly child-centred environment with such caring and dedicated staff is an honour. I am looking forward to getting to know the community as we move forward together,” said Dr Goodall.
Since its establishment in 2017, Dara has grown from a small cohort housed at Ascot Park Primary to a R-12 school with its own school building, including a new high school extension at the Gordon Terrace site in Morphettville. Families from interstate and internationally have relocated to Adelaide so their children can attend Dara, which ranked first among South Australian primary schools for Year 5 average NAPLAN results last year.
“The Dara community has worked collectively to create a strong foundation for gifted education in South Australia,” the Board said. “We are confident that Ms Allen and Dr Goodall will continue to build on that foundation. We are excited for the school’s very bright future.”
