Australian Journal of Teacher Education
Abstract
Research on how Deputy Principals affect the religious culture of Secondary Catholic Schools is extremely limited. Deputy Principals may play a crucial role in shaping the culture of schools in many ways, religious and otherwise. This study examined Year 12 students perception of the effect Deputy Principals have on the religious culture in their schools. Year 12 students have an insight into the role of Deputy Principals as they have more extensive school experience than the other high school grades; the nature of their interaction with Deputy Principals is more varied; and as they approach the conclusion of their secondary education, they are more likely to be informed and candid in their responses. A sample of 315 students from four Western Australian Catholic schools of varied settings completed a 30 item questionnaire on a four point Likert scale with items targeting students’ perceptions of Deputy Principals’ effect on the religious culture of their schools. Apart from not giving Religious Education greater priority in timetabling Deputy Principals were perceived as having a positive effect on the religious culture of their schools. Notably they were perceived as good models and were seen as giving the religious nature of their schools prominence.
Recommended Citation
Novacsek, R., & Godfrey, J. R. (2002). Year 12 Students' Perceptions of Deputy Principals' effect on the Religious Culture in Catholic Secondary Schools. Australian Journal of Teacher Education, 27(1). https://doi.org/10.14221/ajte.2002v27n1.3