Category Archives: Uncategorized

Parents Be There!

I was reminded this week of the importance of being there in the momentwith your children when I was at my daughters netball game and a chap well dressed in a business suit sat near me and proceeded to scribble … Continue reading

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Teachers ahaa moments

I was visiting Don Ledingham’s site this week where he had a short clip of a film that moved him as a youth to laugh and cry and perhaps inspired part of him to  become a teacher.  It got me to reflect on … Continue reading

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Principal’s unhappy with “deal” and stop work.

On Wednesday the Australian Principal’s Federation [APF] called a stop work over the proposed industrial agreement. Its the first time anyone could remember principal class officers taking industrial action as a group. I took this image at the stop work … Continue reading

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No cup of tea leadership here please!

Last week at the regional principal conference I was fortunate enough to introduce one of our key note speakers, Vivane Robinson a professor from the University of Auckland. Vivane gave an insightful presentation on school leadership and student outcomes, what works … Continue reading

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Feeling the beat!

Last Friday I was in a lift listening to the chanting of the latest hip hop song by a group of youths. One had just downloaded the song and was telling his friends that it a nerve … I think? Translate – … Continue reading

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National Literacy and Numeracy Tests: Useful information or a waste of time?

   This week students in Years 3,5,7 and 9 are completing, for the first time, national tests in literacy and numeracy, NAPLAN. Whilst this has been common place in America, England and other countries its the first time in Australia … Continue reading

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Kew Primary School’s Quest to Personalise Learning

I recently posted this comment on an online inet conference. Like you Natalie [Natalie Nelson KEW PS Assistant Principal] we have looked at this journey to personalise learning for students as multi dimensional : enriched curriculum, professional learning, schools structures, leadership … Continue reading

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Are your helping others use new media?

I found this short clip courtesy of John Connell.

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Help for students with language learning disabilities

Over the past 12 months we have received support for students with language learning difficulties from Dr Carl Parsons and his team of trainee speech pathologists from the University of Melbourne. Dr Carl Parsons is supported by the Andrew Dean Fildes Foundation … Continue reading

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Teaching for Understanding

Have you ever struggled with teaching or assessing growth in learners understandings – I do? It’s easier to teach and assess skills. I like the example many people give of coaching a sports team – you teach skills that are observable – … Continue reading

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Easter on the Delitate River

Over the Easter break I was fortunate enough to spend a few days on the Delitate River. While I was cooking a bbq at night it was great to look up and see the bright stars in the sky. It was a … Continue reading

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Mentoring at Monash University

Yesterday at the invitation of a colleague I joined him at Monash University as he started a Masters in Education course.  As I walked from the car park I was struck by the both the number of students [I’m told … Continue reading

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Student Writing: a focus for improvement

We have just completed a whole pupil free day looking at our instructional practice on student writing. Anne Hammond, our resident literacy coach had us look at persuasive text for most of the morning: where you would find it, how … Continue reading

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What’s your vision for schooling?

This week after our staff meeting I have been reflecting about the dialogue on what value we as teachers bring to the deeper learning our students need in the 21st century. We watched a pod cast of Richard Elmore saying … Continue reading

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Instructional tips that might make a difference

At this week’s leadership meeting I introduced John Hattie’s article on building teacher quality. We began talking as the instructional leaders of the school of our individual journeys to making a greater difference in student learning. Hattie explores this learning … Continue reading

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