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Even though principals frequently interact with individual students in the normal practice of their work, this leadership behavior has been under-researched in studies of school leadership. This chapter draws on pre-existing, large, international survey datasets to begin to address this omission by investigating the extent of principal interaction with individual students in a wide range of countries and school systems and how those interactions may be related to various contextual factors.

Indigo Primary School is a large primary school located in a geographically isolated but large regional centre in Western New South Wales. Mining, tourism and pastoral industries characterise the economic activity of the region. Within the town is an established and active arts community. Aboriginal presence has been continuous and sustained. There are several Aboriginal organisations operating in the regional centre and its surrounds providing services in health, education, employment and housing, as well as land and heritage management.