Category Archives: Family

Choosing Schools

Posted on June 27, 2016 by mwalker

Parents choosing schools based on the ‘vibe’ and community rather than test scores and fancy facilities This newspaper article attracted my attention over the weekend as it resonated with my experience as both a parent and school leader. In my … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Leadership, parenting, school, school structures | 8 Comments

mobile/cell phones on school or summer camps

Posted on June 11, 2016 by mwalker

that sixth graders who spent just five days at a tech-free sleepaway camp developed greater understanding of real-world interpersonal communication cues, including a better ability to read facial expressions, make eye contact, and interpret tone of voice and other prompts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, parenting | 2 Comments

Downsizing your house? We did and what did we learn?

Posted on June 5, 2016 by mwalker

Ever considered downsizing your house? We sold our family home in October last year after about 6 weeks of preparation time. After we finished repainting (over 1/2 of the external house and windows – once you start where do you … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Uncategorized | 17 Comments

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

What about measuring learning found through cultural travel experiences to counterbalance missed schooling and lower national test scores?

Posted on August 6, 2014 by mwalker

At the recent ACER conference in Adelaide Stephen Zubrick presented a paper on school attendance and the effects on academic performance. The Sunday Age in Melbourne picked up the story with a headline “No safe level of missing school, study … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, politics, school, Travel | 1 Comment

Extended family holidays – an opportunity or a threat to learning?

Posted on June 10, 2014 by mwalker

Last week I was engaged in my school’s peer review process and we tossed around a question on extended student absence from school for family travel purposes. You see extended family holidays are close to the number one reason why … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Holidays, parenting, school, school structures | 4 Comments

India, the brave and the beautiful

Posted on September 1, 2013 by mwalker

I have been travelling with Merryn, my wife, in India for a week now and have seen so much it’s hard to know where to begin. Probably I should start with today when we saw the Taj Mahal truly one … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Holidays, Travel | Leave a comment

The Two PP’s (Police and Principals) sharing a community.

Posted on June 22, 2013 by mwalker

  This week the local police inspector gave a short speech to the principal network on what’s happening in the local community. Of course he mentioned the growing youth alcohol and drug problems, cyber bullying and sexting and family and domestic … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Leadership, school | Leave a comment

A Walker Cup Event

Posted on January 1, 2013 by mwalker

I have just returned from the Annual Walker Cup Golf event which is in its 31st consecutive year. The event which is played over 72 holes has players coming from interstate: Perth and Brisbane. This years singles winner, Alan Roberts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Travel, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

A Fathers Day Gift

Posted on September 5, 2012 by mwalker

Last Sunday I spent Fathers Day with the family over a long lunch where 3 generations of Walkers gave speeches about family and unity. One brother phoned in from China to speak and everyone toasted. I was spoilt by my … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | Leave a comment

University Placements

Posted on August 27, 2012 by mwalker

Over the past month Tori, my daughter, and I have visited 3 different universities so that she can list her placement preferences for 2013. The photo shows her at Melbourne University. There were a few things that struck us: the … Continue reading →

Posted in Family | Leave a comment

“What would you do if you could change the world?”

Posted on July 9, 2012 by mwalker

I have just picked up on the documentary now out at the movies “I am eleven” that poses this question to 11 year olds around the world. Why 11? I think Genevieve Bailey thought 11 years of age is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Holidays, parenting | 1 Comment

Susan McLean presents on cyber safety at Elsternwick PS.

Posted on June 20, 2012 by mwalker

Last week as part of Education Week we held our second parent and teacher forum on cyber safety. The presenter for this session was Susan McLean. We had 50 parents attend Susan’s presentation and this combined with the first cyber … Continue reading →

Posted in cyberbullying, Family, parenting, Technology, Uncategorized, Video Clips | Leave a comment

To be a Surgeon

Posted on May 14, 2012 by mwalker

I spent the day supporting my wife going through various tests to determine the cause of blood swelling up around her left knee. The orthopaedic surgeon who had previously operated on that knee was great and concluded it was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Leadership, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

University Entrance a maze to be understood.

Posted on January 3, 2012 by mwalker

I recently read a blog post by Jenny Luca which was critical of the way universities select entrants based on a single score. In Victoria the score is called an ATAR score. The post attracted a few comments saying it was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Assessment, Family | Leave a comment