'I'm the principal' : principal learning, action, influence and identity / Stephen Dinham, Kerry Elliott, Louisa Rennie, Helen Stokes.

Part A. The principalship and the project -- 1. The role and importance of the school principal -- 2. Qualities, capabilities and actions of successful principals -- 3. Principal preparation, selection and development -- 4. Purpose and nature of the 'I'm the principal' project -- 5. The principals: Who are they? -- Part B. 'I'm the principal: Project findings -- 6. Leading teachers and learning -- 7. Developing self and others -- 8. Leading improvement, innovation and change -- 9. Leading the management of the school -- 10. Engaging and working with the community -- 11. Professional identity of the principal -- Part C. Overall findings and implication of the 'I'm the principal' project -- 12. Overarching findings of the project -- 13 . Implications for the principalship: Preparation, selection, workload, support and development.

"While an immensely rewarding role, the work of a school principal can be a lonely one, made up of brief encounters and regular interruptions, steep in responsibilities and accountabilities and free from accolades. Research shows that principals often feel there is nothing that really prepares them for assuming full and ongoing responsibility for a school. The I’m the Principal project utilised the Australian Professional Standard for Principals as a framework to consider key aspects and contributors to principal learning, action, influence and identity through interviews with 50 practising principals drawn from the various sectors and levels of Australian school education."--Publisher's website.