Leading Catholic Schools into the Future: Some challenges and dilemmas for resolution

This study investigated what it was like to be a lay Catholic principal in contemporary Australia, with a view to identifying potential barriers to both maintaining and attracting quality school leaders. Qualitative in-depth case studies of six principals in a rural setting were the focus of the research. The research identified four key challenges and dilemmas facing such school leaders. They include: struggles surrounding the purposes of Catholic schools today; the realities of the changing role of principals; tensions surrounding the principal-priest relationship; and a lack of professional preparation and on-going development for their leadership role. While it is problematic to generalise widely from studies such as this, the broad tenor of the identified challenges and dilemmas does resonate with, and build on, research findings reported elsewhere. Each of them presents as matters requiring careful consideration by Catholic systems and schools. They take on particular significance as one considers those factors identified in this research that might act as barriers to potential principal aspirants both now and infuture years.