We all knew it was coming. At the end of 2013, as the school year was finishing, the construction (and demolition) crews were coming into NBCS. Project Barcelona, the much awaited development of transforming the physical space of ‘school’ into a whole new model was underway. The brief that principal Stephen Harris gave toContinue reading "Starting the year at NBCS: Putting the F.U.N in PD to build a positive culture of collaboration and connection."
Multi-level schools for multi-level living: 7 lessons from great cities around the world (and lots of pics)
Look around at the places where people gather: shopping malls, offices, hotel lobbies, pubs. All these places are seeking to make an environment that make people want to return. At my local mall there are numerous 'living room' areas for people to sit, meet and wait. The design of these new communities are multi-level, spaciousContinue reading "Multi-level schools for multi-level living: 7 lessons from great cities around the world (and lots of pics)"
If… “Self-discipline predicted academic performance more robustly than IQ” …then what will you change in your school?
Have you heard these statements? A parent may say “I like Mr X for my son’s teacher, he is a good disciplinarian.” What about this advice to a new teacher: “Don’t smile for the first month, and you will be able to discipline them for the year.” One of our greatest responsibilities as educators isContinue reading "If… “Self-discipline predicted academic performance more robustly than IQ” …then what will you change in your school?"
Schools should do more to teach children and young people about [insert hot topic here]…
This morning in our major Sydney daily newspaper, an op-ed piece Another brick in the wall of Gen Y culture decline states, Schools need to do more about bringing a little elitism back into the awareness of culture. High culture: fine art, opera, serious drama and music that requires patience and understanding needs to beContinue reading "Schools should do more to teach children and young people about [insert hot topic here]…"
Internet of Things: 4 challenges for school leaders in 2014
We live in a world that is fact-paced and technology-driven, the Internet of Things is all around, gathering data, sensing trends and improving services, yet school can still be like entering your grandmother’s living room. It’s comfortable and predictable, it hasn’t changed much in the last few decades. In 2014 Granny might even have an iPadContinue reading "Internet of Things: 4 challenges for school leaders in 2014"
Silence is golden? Perhaps it’s measure of good-old-fashioned teaching. But is it the measure of great learning?
This headline caught my eye: “Australia’s classrooms among world’s noisiest” As I talk to educators and school leaders about rethinking the way we contextualise education the question of noise regularly rears its head. There is a generation of educators and parents who are under the impression that a good education (teacher-centred) can only occur inContinue reading "Silence is golden? Perhaps it’s measure of good-old-fashioned teaching. But is it the measure of great learning?"
My next swimming lesson: Winning the mind game
I’m sharing my journey of training for the swim in January. I do this to process my thoughts, keep myself accountable and hopefully help someone else along the way. When I walk or go to the gym I put in the headphones, then listen to music or podcasts to take my attention away from theContinue reading "My next swimming lesson: Winning the mind game"
Read this if you hate the idea of being in front of the video camera (BTW…It’s time to get used to it)
If you are like me, you hate the idea, so why do you even need to consider it? If you work in education, this is the reality: Video is the 21stC currency of communication. We really can’t ignore it. Gen Z were born between 1995 and 2009. According the McCrindle Research this generation of digitalContinue reading "Read this if you hate the idea of being in front of the video camera (BTW…It’s time to get used to it)"
Oh comfort zone, where art thou? New depths of perseverance and resilience
I’m sharing my journey of training for the swim in January. I do this to process my thoughts, keep myself accountable and hopefully help someone else along the way. This week reached a new level of challenge in my “challenge-persevere-complete” journey. It’s not easy. I had anticipated that, but when you are in the midst,Continue reading "Oh comfort zone, where art thou? New depths of perseverance and resilience"
Perseverance overcomes delay, discouragement and difficulty
As an adult, sustaining a state of fitness has always been a struggle for me. I’m good in spurts of enthusiasm for different attempts, but maintaining for the long haul often eludes me. That is why a goal is good. Sometimes, when we remember our passions and skills we possessed as a child, it isContinue reading "Perseverance overcomes delay, discouragement and difficulty"
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