As part of our Bulldogs Friendly Schools program, various Western Bulldogs’ Board members and staff ventured out to local primary schools in our Bulldogs Backyard, to become a ‘Principal for a Day’.

The Principal for a Day program aims to offer an insight into the day-to-day operations of a Western Suburbs Government School. Our representatives took part in a range of activities including general school tours, reading classes with prep students, meetings with the student leadership group and even yard duty at recess.

Board member Gaye Hamilton attended Footscray Primary School and was extremely grateful for the opportunity to be involved.

“I had a great day at Footscray Primary School, the school is terrific and very progressive with their learning strategies and options for the students. I also saw lots of Bulldogs caps and bags on my way around the school which was very satisfying,” Ms Hamilton said.

While it was a unique and satisfying experience for each participant, it also presented another way to further strengthen our relationship with our heartland and understand the common challenges that each school faces.

In 2013, the Western Bulldogs aim to repay the favour by inviting each participating Principal for a Day school to take part in a tour of our facilities at Whitten Oval and even be our guest at a Bulldogs Home Game at Etihad Stadium.

The Bulldogs Friendly Schools program is currently delivered to more than 50 primary and secondary schools in the West and will be looking to further expand in 2013.