Leadership of a Christian school has never been more complex, especially for new principals.
While the school principal is tasked with overseeing all day-to-day operations, the demands of the role are too extensive for any one individual to meet today's high standards alone. It is essential that new principals build a team of support around them. The Edvance New Principals Cohort serves as a vital component of this support network.
Purpose
The Edvance New Principals Cohort provides a supportive learning community for new principals within the Edvance network—offering connection, encouragement, and practical leadership support during the early years of their role.
Target Audience
This program is designed for principals who are newly hired and preparing to step into their role, as well as principals who are early in their leadership journey. “New” typically includes principals with 0–2 years of experience, recognizing that the transition into school leadership looks different for everyone.
Structure/Dates: Cohort participants are invited to attend an in-person two-day launch session at the Edvance office in Burlington, ON on June 29-30, 2026. This session will include two full days of training, learning, and networking with other new principals, including lunch both days and dinner together on Monday evening. Following the in-person launch session, participants will meet online 4-5 times throughout the school year.
Session Topics Include:
- Starting Well
- Leading a Learning Vision
- Leader-Board Dynamics
- Human Resources
- Budgeting, Liability/Legal/Policies...and more!
Participants will be encouraged to bring their own pressing topics to the Cohort in addition to those listed above.
Meeting Format: Each online session will include instruction or discussion prompts on a key aspect of school leadership. Following the opening session, we will intentionally build in time to discuss, hear feedback, learn from one another, and wrestle with localized leadership issues. If further conversation/coaching is required outside of a small group setting, the cohort is an ideal way to surface leadership issues and then schedule a one-on-one meeting with a facilitator at an alternate time. The cohort will also have the chance to connect between sessions via email.
Questions? Contact Tim Bentum, Director of Leadership or Ian Timmerman, Director of School Services.