Welcome to Education Enclave, a weekly newsletter on all things education.
You are receiving this newsletter as we have crossed paths at some stage. If you aren’t interested, my apologies, feel free to unsubscribe. Here’s what I want to share this week:
Writing
During the last lockdown I enrolled in an online writing course called ‘Write of Passage’. More than 300 people enrolled in the course from more than 30 countries across the world over 6 weeks. At times I was equally overwhelmed and inspired!
The course provided me with the impetus to build my own website, publish my own articles and to launch a weekly newsletter, which you are now reading!
Cobram PS
I was back out on the road and back in schools last week which was nice.
Since 2017 I have started every term at Cobram PS. This term was no different except we had to revert online due to Melbourne’s record-breaking lockdown. There are some positives to presenting online but face to face is still far superior for impact. It almost felt like normal times, except for the mask!
In the 5 years I’ve worked with the school we have covered reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, and numeracy. We have recently re-visited writing.
The school’s greatest strength (out of many) is its consistency in whole school approaches, particularly the gradual release of responsibility and workshop model.
By having this consistency, it allows us to analyse whether the tasks being set for students are challenging enough. This is the main focus on the learning walks we engage in.
There were two standout highlights for me on this visit:
The high level of skill on display by first year graduates. Super impressive!
The Bump It Up Walls for the author study unit in writing. I’ve included below the scaffolds from Bre Flanagan’s Foundation classroom. I love the high expectations!
Numeracy From 2017-2019 I designed and ran the Leading Numeracy course for the Queensland Education Leadership Institute. This all came to a screeching halt when COVID hit, and I couldn’t fly up to QLD to facilitate the course.
I’m planning on 2022 being a ‘normal’ year and I’m looking to run a course/workshop in the numeracy space. Drop me a line if you’re interested and let me know if your preference would be for face to face, online, or a combination.
VALE Angie O’Hare
I was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Angie O’Hare, the principal of Mt. Evelyn PS, last week.
While I didn’t get to cross paths with Angie that often, I know she was well regarded in her community and education circles.
I’m sure it is devastating for her family, friends, and school community. My deepest sympathies to all at this very sad time.
I’m super proud of my colleague and friend Flick Curnow who has agreed to be Acting Principal at Mt. Evelyn PS until the end of the school year. Flick has many connections within the community and will be a wonderful support during this difficult time.
Article Of The Week
A taste of what I wrote about this week: Teaching is the best job in the world, but it is also the hardest. It is a demanding profession at the best of times, and in the middle of the school year and at the end, the demand goes up a few notches again. The reason is report writing.
Click on the link below to read the full article. I’ve also included links to my previous articles if you’re interested. Report Writing Season Finish Strong Victorian Education Excellence Awards Learning Can Be Life Changing Hate Mail Remembering Richard Elmore Depth Over Breadth Can An Entire Education System Become Coherent?
Job Board
In late 2020 my calendar was looking really full for 2021 and I decided that I wouldn’t take on any more schools. Steve Meade, the principal at Brighton PS, called me not long after and managed to persuade me to fill my calendar up with one more school. I’m so glad he did. Brighton PS is a school going places, and Steve and his staff are fantastic to work with. I couldn’t recommend this position enough. I look forward to working with the successful applicant in 2022 😊
Thanks for reading and see you next week,
Cheers Danny.
P.S Feel free to provide me with any feedback regarding the newsletter, or anything for that matter via email. Also, let me know what topics you would be interested in reading more about.
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