Category Archives: Education

What is (and isn’t) innovation?

All that glitters is not (necessarily) gold. Innovation must significantly disrupt and achieve desired outcomes in better and more productive ways. Not just old ways in a new shiny wrapper. When I was a child our telephone had a dial, to call I needed to know the number, kept in a separate directory. When callingContinueContinue reading “What is (and isn’t) innovation?”

‘What ifs’ from the SCIL Study Tour? #SCIL11 – Part 1 | Denmark & Sweden

What if you threw 10 educational leaders together, to travel to places in Europe and the UK for two weeks? This is what happened last month, as we embarked on a trip to learn from places of unique interest, share ideas, challenge one another and have a lot of fun along the way. Here areContinueContinue reading “‘What ifs’ from the SCIL Study Tour? #SCIL11 – Part 1 | Denmark & Sweden”

#SCIL11 reflection: Two things enduring leaders don’t do

There are probably many things that makes a great leader , one who brings significant transformation. This is an observation of leaders I encountered and a couple of generalisations. In the course of our travel over the last few weeks, I met some very different educational leaders from schools in Finland, Denmark, Sweden and England thatContinueContinue reading “#SCIL11 reflection: Two things enduring leaders don’t do”

#scil11 Study Tour “The best PD a principal can do”

This was the quote of one of the principals who joined us on the inaugural SCIL Study Tour. I am still to write posts about the schools in England we visited and other reflections, but I need to take this opportunity for shameful promotion, that international travel, with a team of committed professionals can beContinueContinue reading “#scil11 Study Tour “The best PD a principal can do””

#scil11 Libraries: Where are we going? Two experiences in Delft, The Netherlands

This week we visited two extraordinary libraries: TU Delft Library and Learning Centre is the bright shiny new facility at the university located on outer rim of the city for the students. DOK: Library Concept Centre is in the heart of the Delft shopping and community precinct for the broad community of the city. BothContinueContinue reading “#scil11 Libraries: Where are we going? Two experiences in Delft, The Netherlands”

#scil11 Jens, Mie & Berte – our favourite Danish family

This week we spent a day with Jens and Mie (and architect colleague, Andreas), and visited Berte, Jens’ wife and Mie’s mother at the after school activity centre she runs in Copenhagen. This family have a commitment to children, designing schools and developing community infrastructure that provide connection and spark interest and creativity for childrenContinueContinue reading “#scil11 Jens, Mie & Berte – our favourite Danish family”

#scil11 Krokslatt Kunskapsskolan: Space and pedagogy working together

A great school is not just about designing a clever space, you knew that. From what we observed today we saw a model where the design of the spaces supports the model for learning. The essential elements are: A passionate leader A scalable and workable system The quality of relationships across the community Students takeContinueContinue reading “#scil11 Krokslatt Kunskapsskolan: Space and pedagogy working together”

#SCIL11 Danfoss Universe: Theme Park meets Science Centre

“We need a new place to bring passion for science and technology back to our children. Danfoss Universe shall be such a place” Jorgensen Mads Clauson, Founder The vision behind the science based theme park was to bring a practical solution to meeting the future science, creativity and innovation needs of Denmark by providing aContinueContinue reading “#SCIL11 Danfoss Universe: Theme Park meets Science Centre”

Learning from Finland and connecting with my heritage

In less than a week I will have the opportunity to visit two schools in Finland. Since I was a child I have been proud of my Finnish heritage. My grandfather was a merchant sailor early last century. He arrived in Sydney, jumped ship and fell in love with a young Australian woman. Sadly, theContinueContinue reading “Learning from Finland and connecting with my heritage”