In this final podcast for 2017, I chat with Steve Zipkes. Steve is former founding principal of Manor New Technology High School and current founding principal of Cedars International Next Generation High School both in Austin, Texas. The schools have received international acclaim for their innovative approach to learning and teaching. When he isn’t busy leading schools, … More Bluyonder voices podcast #5 – The PBL guy
According to a recent Victorian study, many assistant principals aren’t prepared to take on the role of principal because of the associated work stress. Responding to the survey, Dennis Yarrington, president of the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) was quoted saying that many states and territories were already looking at “innovative practices around principal development” to provide the skills and knowledge … More A new lens
You may have seen some media coverage earlier this week about early years learning and how children as young as two could benefit from structured play based learning as part of a pre to post school continuum. I’m not talking about putting two year olds in traditional classroom settings, sitting silently at desks listening to … More A coherent pre to post policy
Last week I had another opportunity to visit two Victorian primary schools that for me demonstrate good theory in practice. Woorana Park and Silverton Primary schools have established themselves as authentic learning communities. Over many years under good instructional leaders they have evaluated their practice, implemented rigorous feedback mechanisms, listened to student and parent voices and used the learning space … More No teacher is an island
I made the following observation on New Year’s Day. My hope for 2015. Less conservatism in teaching profession more innovative practices. Learning together for our future — Greg Whitby (@gregwhitby) January 1, 2015 I think if we are going to do better we desperately need teachers to be prepared to challenge not only what they … More Innovation as the norm
Last week, I was delighted to visit the Kindergarten learning space at St Bernadette’s Primary, Lalor Park. It is one of the joys of my work as Executive Director to see talented teachers engaged with vivacious young learners. St Bernadette’s have an excellent practice of asking all students to write to the Principal Liz Devlin … More The adventures of Mr Whippy
Have we over-complicated schooling so much that we can’t see the forest for the trees? In our attempt to make schooling relevant have we discounted something so fundamental to human nature? Sometimes it takes someone like research professor, Dr Peter Gray to put it into perspective. His exceptional article on children and play is a salutary … More Forest for the trees
This week I’m in South Africa for the second part of the CSCLeaders conference. While en route to Johannesburg, I had time to think about whether schools have passed their use by date. And if so, where do we go from here? I don’t believe the answer lies in dissolving or deconstructing schools but rather … More Use by date for schools?
In March the NSW Government announced its blueprint for improving schooling. The action plan includes raising entry requirements for teaching courses at universities and ensuring the quality of initial teacher education is regularly assessed. This is a positive move. Attracting the best and the brightest is something that all education systems desire. Yet attracting is … More Schools of inquiry
One of the things that I enjoy when attending conferences is meeting like-minded and passionate teachers. Last month I presented at the Re-think and Re-imagine Conference at Deakin University and ran into Thom Fraser. Thom is a Year 6 teacher at Warrnambool Primary in Victoria and has developed a literacy program called Re-phrase it. The program … More Re-phrase it
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