Category Archives: Uncategorized

High Stakes Testing

Posted on June 11, 2008 by mwalker

I was prompted to do some research around what some call high stakes testing after a discussion at a leadership meeting recently where we discussed in my opinion the low value of testing unless the student got feedback on what … Continue reading →

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Parents Be There!

Posted on June 7, 2008 by mwalker

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 →

Posted in parenting, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Teachers ahaa moments

Posted on June 7, 2008 by mwalker

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.

Posted on June 5, 2008 by mwalker

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 →

Posted in Industrial Issues, Leadership, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

No cup of tea leadership here please!

Posted on June 2, 2008 by mwalker

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 →

Posted in Geelong Conference, Leadership, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Feeling the beat!

Posted on May 17, 2008 by mwalker

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?

Posted on May 14, 2008 by mwalker

   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

Posted on May 13, 2008 by mwalker

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?

Posted on May 9, 2008 by mwalker

I found this short clip courtesy of John Connell.

Posted in Teaching, Technology, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Help for students with language learning disabilities

Posted on May 5, 2008 by mwalker

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

Posted on April 8, 2008 by mwalker

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

Posted on March 31, 2008 by mwalker

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 →

Posted in Leadership, Travel, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mentoring at Monash University

Posted on March 12, 2008 by mwalker

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

Posted on March 10, 2008 by mwalker

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?

Posted on March 6, 2008 by mwalker

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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