Bridget Hughes
Bridget Hughes is a descendant of the Butchulla people of the Woonduna Clan from Fraser Island, and has been actively involved with the Townsville Indigenous community as a teacher and parent.
Bridget graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree.
Bridget was awarded a Roberta Sykes Scholarship to undertake an MPhil in Educational Leadership and School Improvement at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. She graduated in 2014.
Bridget explained, “The scholarship allows me to come to Cambridge. Without the scholarship I would not have come. My only option would have been to borrow the money and place my family in financial debt which would have constantly played on my mind and in turn affected my ability to focus solely on my course.”
Bridget’s aim is to become a leader in the field of education, and with the knowledge and confidence provided by the Cambridge Master’s program is keen to make a valuable contribution in the development of explicit programs designed to improve Indigenous students’ success in education.
As Bridget explained, “My interest in leadership and school improvement stems from a number of sources – my formal education, my current employment, and my belief that the work of those in schools can ‘close the gap’ for all Indigenous students.”
Bridget worked as a Research Assistant for the Stronger Smarter Learning Communities – Central and Far North Queensland project. This research project was directed at leaders and schools working together to help improve Indigenous student outcomes. From her experience in a variety of schools, Bridget has witnessed and experienced the tensions involved in responding to stakeholder needs of students, parents and communities while meeting increasing levels of accountability. She has seen how the individual philosophy and values of the Head Teacher or Principal largely influences the teaching of students, the relations between staff and the school and community, and how the school responds to stakeholder needs.
The Master’s will deepen Bridget’s knowledge and understanding of educational leadership and school improvement and will assist her in managing the various stakeholder groups that educational leaders must negotiate with on a daily basis. Bridget’s focus is on bringing back the knowledge and skills she learns from Cambridge and applying them to local education in Townsville to support students’ academic, social and personal development, and to improve practices, education and participation within the Indigenous community.
Bridget graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Education (Honours) degree.
Bridget was awarded a Roberta Sykes Scholarship to undertake an MPhil in Educational Leadership and School Improvement at Clare Hall, University of Cambridge. She graduated in 2014.
Bridget explained, “The scholarship allows me to come to Cambridge. Without the scholarship I would not have come. My only option would have been to borrow the money and place my family in financial debt which would have constantly played on my mind and in turn affected my ability to focus solely on my course.”
Bridget’s aim is to become a leader in the field of education, and with the knowledge and confidence provided by the Cambridge Master’s program is keen to make a valuable contribution in the development of explicit programs designed to improve Indigenous students’ success in education.
As Bridget explained, “My interest in leadership and school improvement stems from a number of sources – my formal education, my current employment, and my belief that the work of those in schools can ‘close the gap’ for all Indigenous students.”
Bridget worked as a Research Assistant for the Stronger Smarter Learning Communities – Central and Far North Queensland project. This research project was directed at leaders and schools working together to help improve Indigenous student outcomes. From her experience in a variety of schools, Bridget has witnessed and experienced the tensions involved in responding to stakeholder needs of students, parents and communities while meeting increasing levels of accountability. She has seen how the individual philosophy and values of the Head Teacher or Principal largely influences the teaching of students, the relations between staff and the school and community, and how the school responds to stakeholder needs.
The Master’s will deepen Bridget’s knowledge and understanding of educational leadership and school improvement and will assist her in managing the various stakeholder groups that educational leaders must negotiate with on a daily basis. Bridget’s focus is on bringing back the knowledge and skills she learns from Cambridge and applying them to local education in Townsville to support students’ academic, social and personal development, and to improve practices, education and participation within the Indigenous community.
