Over the past 13 months Victoria has taken on a lot of research that simply states schools cannot improve student performance by themselves and that they need to seek a wider more collaboratively model working with other schools. The region divided schools geographically into groups of 25 which in my current network meant the coming together of two smaller districts into 1 network. It has taken us some time to work through lots of protocols, the building of relationships between all members of the principal class [include ass prin's] and the development of a strategic plan based on our shared data. The protocols were needed so that shared data would not be used by individual schools for marketing to attract students [its seen that individual schools compete for student enrollments as enrollments are tied to per capita funding].

We are about to embark on our second full year working together. As an example there are 3 things we are doing together this year> At the start of the year we have all the primary schools together for 1 day before students come back to school to hear from a university who is reported to be excellent in their work in mathematics.We hope to get some consistency of practice between schools as an outcome of this day.

The second action is that we have been successful as a network in a grant to fund 30 teachers across our schools to do an action research on improving student performance in mathematics. The project will use our “new” instructional model and a university is a partner in the research. Each teacher is released for 50 days this year which is a substantial investment by the system.

I facilitate a group of volunteer schools in doing instructional rounds in schools. I have 5 schools participating so far. A further intake is expected this year. This is what I am doing my Master research about.

So as you can see the focus is now on improving teacher instructional capacity and I suspect discipline knowledge to improve student performance in mathematics across the schools in the network.

Hope this helps to define the “new” network where we are committed to working in each others schools in some project to improve student performance not only in my schools but across the network.

Again I can supply other documentation on this.

Here is one link: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/region/barwon/about/networks.htm

Mark

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This is great. Just one question – what constitutes a network?

I promise not to bother you after this.

I’ll follow up the link.

All the best for 2010

Don

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The Victorian Education Department has 3 levels within a decentralised school based management system.
The first layer is the small but centralised “centre” and the key people in that can be accessed through this link: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/keypeople/default.htm

My interactions have been with Darrell Fraser the deputy secretary whom I have met on lots of occasions and know [probably partly because I have been in the system some time as a principal]. Policy development, research, resource allocation are some of the main roles.

The next layer is the regional office which has a director and includes network leaders [one for each group of 25 or so schools in the region - in my region there are 11 networks]. Main roles are policy contributions and implementation. Network leaders facilitate groups of schools working collaboratively to improve student learning, leadership, action research and where appropriate share resources.

The next layer are schools which have a local board [teachers and parents] – local policies within central frameworks who monitor the financial actions of the schools and work to build a more connected community.

The principal is responsible for the management and leadership of the school, acts as the boards executive officer and is a member of the local network and contributes to other network schools. The principal in consultation with teachers develops and implements workforce and financial plans for the school. They are responsible for the implementation of the 4 year strategic plan which is a signed agreement between the school and the department on the improvement objectives for the next 4 years. Most of the improvement objectives are related to student learning , attendance and well being.

The accountability part is through 4 year schools reviews [some external panel here in most cases]and annual reports submitted to the local community and the education department. Principal performance reviews each year are linked the schools strategic plan and the implementation of key department initiatives [all management stuff is just tick the box audits - some external stuff here as well].

Hope the summary helps. More detailed information I can send you – just let me know.

I read the weather is freezing so perfect for Doug’s snowboarding.
Mark

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Thanks for this. I’d like to follow up on this – particularly the role of the Director of Education the actual amount of freedom you have as headteacher. Does your system provide for great variation between schools regards policies and practices? Who checks the quality of work going on in your school?

I’ll let Doug know about the surfing although he’s really into snowboarding at the moment.

Happy New Year.

Don

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Who am I [as principal] answerable to?

Well ultimately I am answerable, through a chain of people, to the Minister of Education. The line management chain goes the Director of Education [although I know Darryl personally through my work and research I don't report directly to him] I report more to the regional manager, Peter and/or the network leader David.

I submit a report to the local school council which is perhaps what you might be referring to in another question – Board of Governers. The school council is an elected body of teachers and parents who pass local policies, oversee the cash budgets, support the development and maintenance of facilities and make links to the local and broader community.

I, as principal, am ultimately responsible for the total school cash and credit budget which for my school employs around 32 staff for 480 students is approximately $3.5 million.

Self management was brought into Victoria about 15 years ago by a State Liberal government and is progressively being brought into other states across Australia [not all yet].

I am happy to provide you with further information via email or at another time.

I hope to study o/s and travel again in 2010 although my Masters degree at Monash Univ has to managed as well.

All the best in the New Year and say hello to Doug from all the Walkers. Tell him the surf is up at this time of year and we are heading off for 3 weeks holiday at two surf beachs including Lorne, the one Mitchell and I took him to visit when he was down here. A little different from your little adventure in the snow the other night I read.

Hope to catch up soon.
Mark

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Congratulations on what seems to have been a very successful- if very busy year. I hope evrything is well with you and your family.

You left a comment on my log recently which has disappeared due a change in servers. But I wonder if you could give me a few more details on your self-managing school?

Who are you answerable to?
How much of your budget are you responsible for?
Do you have a Board of Governers?
Has this always been the system in Australia?

Hope you can get across to Scotland in the coming year!

All the best for 2010

Don

PS – Douglas sends his regards to you all.

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