Author Archives: mwalker

Do we teach handwriting skills to young writers – OK – when and why?

Posted on March 24, 2015 by mwalker

Recently I was in team meeting where teachers were discussing when to teach 5 year olds handwriting. It got me to thinking about why of my age and the old pen licences which we scrapped at least 10 years ago. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized, writing | 5 Comments

The pendulum conundrum of strategic planning.

Posted on March 3, 2015 by mwalker

Over the past 18 months we as a school having been reviewing our performance as a school through the student, teacher and parent lenses. There was lots to celebrate which we have. However human nature is a curious things for … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, Leadership, school, Teaching, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Speaking at the Monday School Assembly: A Principal’s Message.

Posted on March 2, 2015 by mwalker

First of all I should say I’m invited by our year 6 leaders who run the weekly assembly to speak. I’m allotted about 5-6 minutes in a busy 25 minute program that has students singing the national anthem, reciting the welcome … Continue reading →

Posted in school, school administration | 1 Comment

Chinese New Year at EPS

Posted on February 16, 2015 by mwalker

  This morning at assembly we had the traditional “lion dance” to celebrate Chinese New Year. Its also the 3rd assembly for the new school year and one could tell from the wide eyed 4-5 year old prep students they … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Chinese Language | 2 Comments

Growth mindsets and school wide learning cultures – a perfect mix!

Posted on December 8, 2014 by mwalker

I’ve written before on growth mindsets and this year teachers were keen to include young people developing growth mindsets as a key principle in the new strategic plan. A few teachers are now mentioning this to some parents who have … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Instruction, Teaching | 1 Comment

An Indigenous Experience!

Posted on December 7, 2014 by mwalker

Last month we had a visit from some students who live in a remote indigenous community in Western Australia. The visit was organised by one of our former teachers, Nicole. The students were a little overawed initially by the size … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, school | 1 Comment

Provoking student interest in learning

Posted on December 2, 2014 by mwalker

I say again I’m in a fortunate role as principal to see some amazing products and processes of learning and I’m guilty of not sharing these as often as I should. So here goes: the first two photos show an … Continue reading →

Posted in curriculum, differentiation, Instruction, Teaching, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Student feedback to teachers – just ask them we did!

Posted on December 1, 2014 by mwalker

We were working with Kath Murdoch this afternoon on using our student feedback to adjust the 2015 curriculum plans. Our students provided the followed recommendations to teachers which I thought were worth sharing: less teacher talk: which we are thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Feedback, Instruction, school, teacher efficacy, Teaching | 2 Comments

A teacher letter to parents

Posted on November 25, 2014 by mwalker

Recently a young teacher sent a blog link to our staff email distribution list to read. The link went viral as I think it hit a spot with teachers about one of their frustrations. Apparently some schools have published the … Continue reading →

Posted in parenting | 1 Comment

The Power of Ummmmmm!

Posted on November 25, 2014 by mwalker

  This is a video of Kath Murdoch, an educator we have a long association with at EPS, taken in at a Ted X talk in Canada recently. Her presentation features young people from my school. I must say hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching, Uncategorized, Video Clips | 1 Comment

Ice Bucket Challenge

Posted on October 21, 2014 by mwalker

Recently the students at my school set the school leaders a challenge. If they walked more than 6000 laps during the school walkathon and collected their sponsors money we had to do the ice bucket challenge. Well they walked 9000 … Continue reading →

Posted in school, Video Clips | 1 Comment

terra-cotta warriors

Posted on October 3, 2014 by mwalker

I stumbled upon this short clip on the Terra-Cotta Warriors yesterday which I think gives a great short overview on this natural wonder I visited last year. It’s worth a view for those interested in history.

Posted in China, history, Video Clips | 1 Comment

Medical miracles

Posted on September 29, 2014 by mwalker

  I have met Tony a few times most recently at a dinner at my golf club where we spoke casually about a number of things but I must say I felt proud of him when he was featured on … Continue reading →

Posted in disability, Family, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Shirley Clarke says tell students the truth if their work needs work.

Posted on September 25, 2014 by mwalker

  I’m re-reading Shirley Clarke’s book first published in 2008 on active learning and formative assessment. One of the points she makes in the book is the link between higher self-esteem and a growth mindset. We need to show enthusiasm … Continue reading →

Posted in Feedback, parenting, Teaching, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

School timetables are factors in lesson structures!

Posted on September 3, 2014 by mwalker

I have a wondering whether a school timetable influences the way instruction is planned in classrooms? Now I know the answer is obviously yes from a practical perspective but the deeper question I’m pondering is do those timetable influenced instructional decisions … Continue reading →

Posted in Instruction, school, school structures, Teaching, Video Clips | 1 Comment