Category Archives: school

Parent input into and understandings about school structures and class lists

Posted on December 4, 2008 by mwalker

Each year I invite parents to contribute information into the class list formation for the following year. I have felt that we as teachers do not know everything about students and an opportunity to have additional information was valuable. Of course I … Continue reading →

Posted in school, school structures, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Elephants on the Table!

Posted on December 4, 2008 by mwalker

Ever been to a meeting where some “elephants” were raised from under the table?  Well at a recent staff meeting two elephant type issues were raised: student’s repeating classes and teacher roles and how allotment decisions are made.  I have previously made … Continue reading →

Posted in Repeating Classes, school, school structures, Teaching, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Prep Transition Programs

Posted on November 25, 2008 by mwalker

Most people accept that its important for children and their parents to have a well informed and smooth start to the school year and that this is best achieved through a multi session transition program.This week the prep team completed the … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Video Clips | 1 Comment

Parramatta Catholic Education Office tours Elsternwick

Posted on November 12, 2008 by mwalker

This week I have had colleagues from the Catholic Education office in Parramatta NSW visit Elsternwick Primary to look at the use of flexible learning spaces, how technology is embedded into facilities and the curriculum, as well as a model of … Continue reading →

Posted in construction, Leadership, school, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Generation WE – the movement coming to you!

Posted on November 11, 2008 by mwalker

Generation WE: The Movement Begins… from Generation We on Vimeo. I saw this video tonight and thought it made some powerful statements about how the political landscape will change in America and what concerns will need real solutions from policy … Continue reading →

Posted in Leadership, politics, school | Leave a comment

Do schools kill creativity?

Posted on November 10, 2008 by mwalker

Sir Ken Robinson is featured in this video on Do schools kill creativity? The video goes for 20 minutes and is quite entertaining to watch – it’s ideal for parents to view or to use at a staff meeting to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Leadership, school | Tagged | Leave a comment

Shadowing

Posted on November 6, 2008 by mwalker

Last week I had a leading teacher, Kendra, from a neighbouring school shadow me for 2 days as part of a leadership program for teachers interested in becoming a principal. I think it was a full 2 days with Kendra amongst … Continue reading →

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Vivian Robinson’s work on Instructional leadership

Posted on October 27, 2008 by mwalker

Thanks to Greg Whitby I found this clip of Viviane Robinson’s work on instructional leadership in schools which in my opinion is well worth a look by leadership teams.

Posted in Leadership, school, Teaching, Video Clips | Leave a comment

“Necessary but not sufficient”

Posted on October 25, 2008 by mwalker

  This phrase “necessary but not sufficient” has been ringing in my ears of recent weeks when thinking about those students who are achieving below minimim standards. I first heard Paul Brock use the phase and subsequently I have used … Continue reading →

Posted in 2008 ACEL Conference, Leadership, school, Teaching | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Class Size Debate

Posted on October 20, 2008 by mwalker

I was fortunate to meet John Hattie recently who is one academic I often quote in my work. John Hattie is from New Zealand and has been researching amongst other things the effects of various strategies or innovations on student learning. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2008 ACEL Conference, Assessment, Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Leadership Footprints

Posted on September 26, 2008 by mwalker

  I’m on holidays in Queensland this week for a break before the final term which is usually jammed packed full of tasks. Next week Sarah, the assistant principal, and I are presenting a research paper on our instructional leadership … Continue reading →

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Turning on the lights in a dark room.

Posted on September 8, 2008 by mwalker

This Fathers Day I was spoilt with a cooked breakfast, a lazy morning watching a not so old movie and midday basketball training. The not so old movie was Freedom Writers staring Hilary Swank. For those of you not familiar with this … Continue reading →

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tests and the Rudd education revolution

Posted on August 28, 2008 by mwalker

Today the Prime Minister of Austalia, Hon Kevin Rudd delivered a speech at the National Press Club on the education revolution. I received a transcript of the speech which for me had several highlights: While Australian schools stand up reasonably … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

Northern Territory students visit Elsternwick

Posted on August 10, 2008 by mwalker

On Friday this week 4 indigenous students from the Northern Territory visited Elsternwick as part of the Australian Football League’s program Kickstartto support students attending school and having a healthy lifestyle.  The four students were from a school of 20 … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment