Hi colleagues,
I hope you’re having a good week
Planning Literacy Professional Learning
Last week I was able to observe two of my colleagues facilitate a new workshop titled ‘Planning Literacy Professional Learning’ on behalf of the Bastow Institute of Educational Leadership. The design of the day was to support participants to strategically plan professional learning for staff at their school around their whole school literacy focus. There were some big numbers in attendance, so I was there to support school groups in applying the work.
I have worked with Keay Cobbin and Paula Heenan for over a decade now, and it was a privilege to see my friends present in such a natural and knowledgeable way. I loved being part of it, and I’ve been pondering over much of the content since.
I highly recommend you join if the workshop is offered in 2022.
Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
On the theme of Bastow’s courses, many of you will be aware that it will be transitioning to the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership in 2022.
Since going out to work for myself in 2017 I have had the opportunity to facilitate a range of Bastow’s courses, and this will continue next year under the banner of the Academy.
I have included the links below to the courses I will be facilitating if you’re interested in applying.
Leading Literacy Enhancing Literacy Across Secondary Disciplines Literacy Data, Assessment and Practice Primary Literacy Data, Assessment and Practice Secondary
Coaching
The thing that changed the trajectory of my career was when I became a Teaching and Learning coach. Many of the things I learnt during this time are still relevant to my work, as well as my everyday life.
When I became a principal, I had my own coach in Graham Hoult. We would catch up once a term. Even though I was a big advocate for coaching there were times when I felt I was just too busy to have the session. I never did cancel, and without fail, at the end of every session I was in a better space and was revitalised to tackle everything at work.
Having someone who understands the demands of the role and is there to listen is so powerful. Talking for an hour provides clarity on what is important and often puts things into perspective. Leadership in schools can be a lonely venture, but it doesn’t have to be.
Just this week my last coaching sessions for the year were completed. It is amazing the diversity of topics that come up in coaching conversations – time management, stress, accountability, emotional intelligence, distributed leadership, culture, challenging conversations, sustainability, leadership styles, career advancement, etc.
The other piece of diversity is the weather! Last week there was snow on the mountains near my place, and a colleague I was coaching in northwest QLD was in the midst of a stretch of 44 degree days. I’ve always been fascinated/interested in the weather since I was kid, geography too. I always manage to weave both into my coaching sessions
If you are interested in having me as a coach in 2022 drop me a line.
Movember
I’m looking to promote causes for members within Education Enclave. This week my former coach features – Graham Hoult.
Arguably Movember is more important than ever this year especially in relation to men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
Graham is raising much-needed funds for prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women. But together we can change that.
This is Graham’s ninth Movember and he is hoping you might be able to support him. Graham has raised $18,702 since 2013, with $1,820 in 2020, and $1,722 currently in 2021.
In 2022 Graham is interested in involving VCE students and teachers in the cause. Let me know if you would like to connect with Graham around such an initiative.
You can donate via Graham’s Mo Space https://movember.com/m/grahamhoult?mc=20
for all the dads, brothers, sons and mates in your life.
Below, is Graham’s motivation to support Movember. From left to right is Graham, his grandson Orlando, son-in-law Vito and son Daniel.
If you’ve got a cause you would like the Education Enclave community to get behind, drop me a line.
Article Of The Week
This week I’ve been writing about the wellbeing of principals, a topic close to my heart.
It is chaotic at this time in a normal year, and yet it hasn’t been ‘normal’ for two years now. The extra load this has created is carried by principals.
I didn’t make the publishing deadline for the newsletter, but you can subscribe to my blog to have it delivered to your inbox when it has been uploaded.
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?
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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