Latest Musings

How do you get from a great vision to the reality? We have spent the last couple of hours debating exactly this.

We have a clear philosophical vision and are able to articulate in general terms (maybe that's the problem) what we want to see happening in the classrooms. We want to be innovative and have a flexible learning environment, in fact the physical environment supports this. So HOW do we get there and what documentation of thinking do we provide for teachers to use as a backbone for the learning at our school? What does this look like?

We think that the pedagogy section from the NZC is a good framework to use as the all important base. HOW exactly do we use it to provide the good bones - expectations, systems and structures. What should this documentation LOOK like? HOW do I work with new staff as they come into employment to give them ownership and truly value their input - afer all that is why they were employed!

Welcome to the office party

First week in the office

People ask me all the time... so what ARE you doing for 3 terms? You have no kids and no staff. It must be pretty cruisy!

Unfortunately I was already a week late due to the volcano erupting in Iceland. An extra unplanned week in London. Typically this would be great news, however on this occasion it was not conducive to setting up a school!

Creating a school from an empty shop..... hmmm.

First task, you need a place to work. The place needs to include a work surface and a chair.... well chairs are over rated!

The challenges in this first week included, hooking up the internet - note to others, expect a 69 day wait on the exchange as it will be full, getting some furniture in - while free loan furniture is a brilliant idea, it is not instant and can take up to two weeks; the hole for the fridge will be the smallest one on record and nothing available will fit. None of these things are of course essential for children, learning, curriculum or anything else remotely consistent with schools!

Sunlive publications

http://www.sunlive.co.nz/12121a1.page

http://thesun42.id.co.nz/12394a1.page

Foundation Principalship

http://www.sunlive.co.nz/11125a1.page

I have just accepted the position of Principal for Golden Sands School, the new school being built in Papamoa East. It is going to be an exciting challenge. So far I have received a copy of the signed off plans(both building and grounds) and the logo. I am working my way through the plans of the site and the landscaping concepts. The plant pallette is all linked into the concept of "golden".

I have managed to negotiate the appointment of a DP and AP, both apparently able to start 30 weeks out - does that mean thirty weeks including or excluding holidays? The EBOT is deciding what needs to be publicised at this point.

So far the community have put together the vision and values. The logo which is a harakeke plant has 5 chunks out of one of the leaves - this represents the values. Thinking about chunks out is negative.... how can this be turned into the positive representation needed for values.... hmm some thinking to be done!

The Art of Facilitation - Day 3

The Day of Reckoning.... DiSC analysis!

The DiSC is a personality type analysis test.

D = dominance
i = influential
S = steady
C = conscientious

This is a useful tool to help..
- improve awareness and recognition of diversity
- enhance quality
- manage change
- coaching
- build productive teams
- develop effective leadership
- ease frustration and interpersonal conflict
- enhance communication
- resolve/manage conflict
- team development/ building

The two purposes that are most important for my current context are managing change and building and developing productive teams.

It is not only useful to analyse oneself but also the team members on staff. I think this allows us to examine potential conflict from someone elses perspectives. There is a really helpful page in the analysis book which I think I will use to identify the main categories that each staff member falls into. I think this will be helpful for considering different perspectives.

The Art of Facilitation - Day 2

Essential elements of highly effective professional learning.

What are they? Insert photo
What do you do in your classroom to improve student learning? How do you know?
What is the evidence? Where is the data to demonstrate improvement?

Teachers don't have time to work on things that are not proven/research based.

Thinking Activities to use in staff workshops
1st word, last word strategy ( a bit like reciprocal reading)


1. Read the material. Highlight 3-4 ideas, phrases, things to clarify
2. 1st person states a phrase or statement
3. 2nd, 3rd people clarifies, questions the statement made by the 1st person
4. The 4th person adds their statement, reflections etc, then synthesises the groups ideas.
5. Rotation begins again with 2nd person and follows the above.

This is a really useful way of quickly clarifying a group reading.