This week I was casually listening to a teacher explain something of a technical nature to colleague and it reminded me of the need to be careful in our use of language in schools particularly when trying to explain a new skill or concept to someone else. We often skip speaking… Read more“A hoe is that what you want? or Why teach Speaking and Listening skills.”
2006 PISA results from an Australian Perspective
ACER has just published a national report on the PISA results from an Australian perspective. Schools from all sectors and states are selected to complete the tests. Overall the results are very good in scientific, reading and mathematics literacy and compare well internationally. However overall the results are not improving and there… Read more“2006 PISA results from an Australian Perspective”
head teachers
I was looking at a colleagues blog from the UK recently and saw this cartoon attached to an entry about why head teachers were paid more than teachers. http://libertonheadsblog.blogspot.com/
We only think when we are confronted with problems.
The title of the article comes from a quote by John Dewey [1859 – 1952] an American philosopher who is widely renowned as a leader in the progressive educational reforms of the 20th century. At this week’s leadership meeting, the first for 2008 we spent some time talking about instructional leadership and… Read more“We only think when we are confronted with problems.”
England extends school leaving age to 18.
I have just watched on teachertv the Queen announce a bill being introduced that will extend the compulsory age of schooling to 18 over the next few years. The move is receiving mixed reactions accrding to the report. Given that Australia often follows trends in countries like England this is… Read more“England extends school leaving age to 18.”
Filling up the Energy Tank over Summer Holidays
This picture was taken on one of my long walks near Point Leo in low tide. Point Leo is an ocean beach in Western Port, Victoria. Each year we teachers seem to cross the line at the end of the school year happy with our work to support and encourage students learning but oh… Read more“Filling up the Energy Tank over Summer Holidays”
A New Years Resolution
Ever thought around new year that you just want to get a little better this year and start the new year at school a little more in control of the learning in the classroom? Well here’s a site I just discovered that has lots of lots of videos that might just help. The… Read more“A New Years Resolution”
Christmas Cheer
The school year has ended, the year 6’s have graduated with most shedding a tear at leaving their friends, the reports have been distributed, next years classes and teachers published and the teachers are heading off to celebrate another successful year. As I reflect upon the last few days of the… Read more“Christmas Cheer”
Weight tests for new prep students
The Federal Government has just released a plan to weigh children before they start school to try and crack down on obesity. The Health Minister, Nicola Roxon was reported to have said that the condition had become a national responsibility as one in four Australian children are already overweight or… Read more“Weight tests for new prep students”
A communication challenge – using the school newsletter!
One of the challenges leaders in school face is to explain, even market to parents why changes occur. I was faced with such a challenge recently as I published the 2008 school structures in the school newsletter. For four years we had implemented multi aged groupings for both educational and financial… Read more“A communication challenge – using the school newsletter!”
PISA Results out
Thanks to Don Ledingham blog I have been altered to the 2007 PISA results being published which are worth a look. In summary the results remained flat across most OECD countries. Australia showed some improvement in Science with a 7th ranking when compared to other countries. However youth generally were pessimistic about… Read more“PISA Results out”
Ipods and podcasts the tools of leadership
I was walking laps around one of my local parks this morning at 6.30 am listening to a podcast of Peter Senge talking about the relationship between business and school and it struck me how the tools of leadership have changed. No longer is the ipod the sole domain of our… Read more“Ipods and podcasts the tools of leadership”
Learning by Heart
I’m currently rereading a book by Roland Barth titiled “Learning by Heart” which I think makes a number of relevant comments for me about school reform from a very practical perspective. I also think his quotes are great: e.g. “Experience is not so much what happens to us as what… Read more“Learning by Heart”
Walkthroughs
Want a funny clip to start a conversation about walkthroughs at your school. Look no further.
February Walkthroughs
Yesterday I was speaking to a colleague about the focus of walkthroughs in February. My colleague was told that I had changed some of my thoughts over the last 12 months and was seeking some clarification. I felt by the end of our conversation that I was affirming what we both understood was important… Read more“February Walkthroughs”