Belinda Giudice, Prairiewood High School principal, wins Harvard scholarship

Belinda Giudice was the first person in her family to finish year 12, and now she’s going to be the first to attend Harvard.

A southwest Sydney school principal is heading to Harvard next year after winning a $15,000 scholarship.

Belinda Giudice has been principal at Prairiewood High School for the past four years, and was the first person in her family to attend university, and finish school.

She said the scholarship reaffirms her belief in how much education can transform a life.

“I see myself as a role-model to the community in which I work as I am an example that you can start from simple beginnings and make aspirational goals a reality,” Ms Giudice said.

Prariewood High School principal Belinda Giudice (centre) has won a prestigious Harvard Principals Scholarship. Back row (l-r) Jacky Tran, Johnny Stamiris. Bottom row: Chloe Phan, Ruby Fanoosh. Picture: Kim Kohen

She’s since inspired her sister to go to university as a mature aged student, studying to be a dietitian, though Ms Giudice insists the decision was her sister’s alone.

“She came over to my house the night before the application was due,” Ms Giudice added.

Ms Giudice applied for the scholarship after completing her certificate of advanced education leadership through Harvard Graduate School of Education.

She’s set to head to Harvard in July 2023, and attend a residential program on educational leadership. The $15,000 scholarship covers flights, accommodation, and courses.

As for whether she’s concerned about leaving her students behind while she heads overseas Ms Giudice said she’s more keen to return and share what she’s learned with the school community.

Ms Giudice will be joined by principal Michael Sloane of Bathurst’s Denison College of Secondary Education, Kelso High Campus, who was awarded the same scholarship.

On winning the award, Mr Sloan said, “As a lifelong learner, it is an amazing opportunity to learn from and with international colleagues to improve my knowledge and practice.

“The prospect of visiting Boston and attending the program at Harvard is very exciting,”

NSW Education Department Secretary Georgina Harrisson said it was great to see principals from the city and country represented.

“At Prairiewood High School, Belinda Giudice and her staff have emerged from a difficult few years that included being part of the hard lockdown during the Covid pandemic to celebrate the school’s best HSC outcomes in its history,” Ms Harrisson said.

“It is a tribute to Belinda‘s leadership that she has maintained a dedicated focus on leading learning as the school’s core business while wrapping wellbeing supports around the school to heal a significantly damaged school community.”