February, 2008

Curriculum / Middle Management — No Comments
26
Feb 08

Its only Tuesday and…

snowplough.jpgThe snow plough is already being revved up. I have already noted three key roles for my position this term;

1. Complete a Self Review Framework

2. Discipline Policy

3. Yr 11 Emergency Policy

The first proposal is one being presented tomorrow, this itself will add to the work load. After I the document is presented to our Head, it must be implimented and managed. The results will connect to staff training, local meetings and strategic review dates and of course future change policy.

Discipline, this can not continue to engulf the working day. A discipline policy features next at the top of my to do list. Importantly, I need to explain to staff that students are not to be sent to ICT for coursework, at the same time, I need to offer small group ICT option for English. Would the eeepc work?

I am unsure that Yr 11 will complete their course as planned. What can we do to support those nearing the completion criteria?

Finally, planning teaching and engaging with students is important to me personally. This must not be set aside or even displaced…. and its only Tuesday!

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ICT — No Comments
25
Feb 08

Dressing Your Work Up

I listened to a short account on how to encourage students to aim high. Funnily enough it involved meeting your inlaws and the benefits of dressing up smart.

When you go to meet the “in-laws”. So you turn up in a suit, shirt and tie and you find out its more of a casual family event. So use lose the jacket, tie and roll you sleeves up. Big deal. Lets look at it the other way around. You turn up in slacks and t-shirt only to find out that your on your way to the smartest restaurant in town! What now? Its much easier to dress down, than it is to appear dressed up.

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Reflections — No Comments
24
Feb 08

Memories

This is not a typical post. I am not writing about work but why I work in education. Half term was great til Tuesday…. wednesday through Saturday I was struggling with a cold, today was the first day I felt a little better and its back to the grind stone tomorrow. Still, too much to do…

Refocus -

I received an email from Dean today reminding me about his blog. I changed the name of the wiki, more of that later. I introduced Dean to blogging, well, updating a wiki page some 7/8 months ago (its all I knew back then) and eveytime I read one of his posts it makes me proud. Not just the ‘proud’ cos hes one of my students, but proper proud becuase I know wirting and sharing his experiences has made a real difference to his growing maturity, to him showing appreciatation to his family here in England and his adopted family and friends in the States, but also I am proud of the choices he is making and that he even wants to share them with, well with everyone.So now its about time he sets up either a blog or a tumblr, whichever is most appropriate.

Just in case you want to read his work, first prepare yourself its an emotional rollercoaster, and click….

To Dean, how I wish I had my memories written down like you have. One day, when today seems like a life time ago, you will be able to flick through the posts and re-live them first hand, how jealous am I! Why work in education? Read Dean’s blog, read and listen closely and you hear the answer.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Curriculum / Middle Management — No Comments
22
Feb 08

Coming up for Air

I didn’t blog or reflect this weekend, I needed to come up for air. I also wanted to spend some quality time with my wife, we deserved it, and she deserved it more than anyone.

The Last Week of Term

I was not very impressed with my achievements this week, perhaps too much to manage and perhaps my expectations were too high. What did we achieve? What could we have done better?

A new temporary IT Technician appointment. I was not 100% confident in our advertising and interview process, I think we need to do better for future appointments, (still need to confirm ICT advert is ready to go out). On which point, I also hope to meet with Jo Palmer to look at the information sent to prospective employees – as a school we need to sell ourselves. In saying that I think we managed the late departure effectively and I think our appointment will make a significant contribution.

Wednesday / Thursday I was reminded of some tough teaching realities. You can only offer support, you can not ensure it will be received. I need to show my appreciation of the work of the pastoral staff.

I presented both Yr8 groups with a simple practical ICT exam. Scores were expectedly low. I think this had an impact of the students – how it will impact on the students future expectations for class I am unsure? I am hoping it will bring a little more focus. Some students have already muted their wish for a better learning experience.

Thursday – meeting. Prepare the agenda before the start of the working week. Time races past.

Friday – real achievements made with introducing Databases through the Bow Street Runner. More work required on this SOW.

Student discipline seems to be a continuing issue. The students definitely need to be made aware of the AUP. Unacceptable behaviour needs to be picked up and actioned upon and through Censornet. More short term work for a long term gain.

Some positive developments on the intranet page. Delicious, calendars, AUP, Baracuda, now I need to share this conscientiously with Middle Leaders. I may even ask Ian for a regular spot in the MOTs meetings. Still looking at teacher ICT control in classes. Website WordPress?

In preparation for next term, I need to look at both Unit 7 and 21. Check SOW of Yr 7 and 8.

The focus for half term is to write a Strategic Plan.

For what it is worth, I recognise aspects of the post I can not immediately impact upon; the lack of previous leadership within the dept, fractured staffing, the learning expectations of the groups, the current physical and ICT environment, students frustrations with multiple courses.

Others that I need to work through; my inexperience of middle leadership and 11-16 teaching (learning everyday), the establishment of the NEW curriculum (OCR), professional working standards in and around the use of IT (with just 2 FT staff). The focus remains clearly on the department and it may be prudent to continue with this focus for one more half term (with small scale opportunties taken with individual teaching staff) otherwise the scope of the role may become over whelming.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Curriculum / Reflections — No Comments
7
Feb 08

In an Effort to Keep Saturday Think Free

Visited the Year 8 tutor room on wednesday. Tutor was very helpful. We move forward on this issue. I want to leave the weekend for thinking. For planning and reflection. So this is my weekly wrap up. Every other thursday I get to spend some quality time do important jobs. Today start with cover, which went surprisingly well. I arrived to cover a history class looking at medieval festivals. We completed the task and took the students outside to experience shin kicking. I think it hit the mark. It certainly brought the students closer to understanding the topic. Next week cheese rolling. Wow, there is so much more we as teachers could do with practical learning – importantly it also made me think where and how I could make ICT more practical, this is not the first time I have thought that….. but it needs more thinking time. Also, I was a little disappointed, ICT limits teaching due to the PCs. We really lack the opportunity to create with our environment and surroundings. I shared the Sir Ken Robinson resources, introduced Mrs L to CPD in the car, well I loaned her my Flashdrive with a FM transmitter, of course I added the SKR clips. I also gave Mrs L a copy my favourites, more links than you can shake a stick at – surely this is a way to share resources. I connected with HIAS, spoke with Janet Roberts, joined the forum, requested a review day, and signed up for the annual conference, continued my connections with Wildern. Short listed the IT Tech candidates, sought advice on a staffing issue and I believe we made a positive step forward (I could of course be wrong on that point). Prepared an ICT Newsletter update, requested a spot on the MOTs meeting, Baracuda is in. OCR resources agreed. Added the Dance pic to the homepage. Added the Staff AUP. What still bothers me is that discipline in ICT is not improving swiftly enough for my liking. Why? Is the discipline communication good enough? Is it a more difficult challenge than I realised? I do believe we need a team of 4, not 3. One staff member for each room – but I read tonight ICT staff are in high demand!?! On which note, HCSC needs to get the ad out. Half term is for the strategy plan. Boy do I need to get the thoughts out and in type instead of swimming around up there! Just added tonight; How to encourage the uptake of an ‘Enquiring Minds’ programme. Parents evening fine, but as is often the case, saw most of the students who can be rewarded, but need to speak with others also. Did we miss an opportunity to showcase the school to the parents on parents evening? Projector was cold, nothing showing. What percentage of parents visit? Can this be improved? How to communicate with parents – email? Do we need to ask our parents? How much money would this save? Focus, next term is the term for some style projects.

Popularity: 5% [?]

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