Thursday, October 11, 2018

Staff Retreat

This was the first time we have had a staff retreat in my time. It was important that we had a catholic spin to this and it was important that I handed this over to my DRS so that she could lead this for the staff.
The days was a great success and allowed all staff to relax and come to together outside of school property and time!

Why did we go there?
1.      I wanted to refocus people to the core reason for our school. 
2.      It was great Team Building

3.      We learnt new things about each other and staff we dont really engage with often.

4.      It was held in the holidays so it was out of the routine of school life.

5. It was a chance to Re-Energize the staff before the Term 4 slog hits re production and reporting.

Promote, participate in, and support ongoing professional learning linked to student progress

Promote a culture whereby staff members take on appropriate leadership roles and work collaboratively to improve teaching and learning


Monday, September 3, 2018

Cultural week celebrations

So important that all children and their families feel welcomed and valued here at school.

Having an inclusive school community where diversity is welcomed and valued is a key factor in supporting parent engagement.
Engagement increases when school leaders have vision and are committed to working in partnership with the parents and whānau of all students.
We are true partners when:
  • you listen to what I have to say
  • you acknowledge my intelligence
  • you want to learn more about my ways
  • you don’t judge me
  • you engage me in genuine dialogue
  • we make decisions together
  • you show that my child matters to you
  • you include my experience, knowledge, and viewpoints with yours.

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Parent forum groups


Whanaungatanga: ‘Community’

CULTURE

Provide professional leadership that focuses the school culture on enhancing learning and teaching.
  • In conjunction with the board, develop and implement a school vision and shared goals focused on enhanced engagement and achievement for all students.
  • Promote a culture whereby staff members take on appropriate leadership roles and work collaboratively to improve teaching and learning.
  • Model respect for others in interactions with adults and students.
  • Promote the bicultural nature of New Zealand by ensuring that it is evident in the school culture.
  • Maintain a safe, learning-focused environment.
  • Promote an inclusive environment in which the diversity and prior experiences of students are acknowledged and respected.
  • Manage conflict and other challenging situations effectively, and actively work to achieve solutions.
  • Demonstrate leadership through participating in professional learning
Every two weeks I plan to sit down with a randomly selected group of parents, and get input on their thoughts and ideas of the school. We will use the school's Annual and Strategic Plan to lead these meetings. (I promise they will not be boring!)
It is important that the school gets feedback about what it delivers and that we set up ways that this information can get to me. Often in the past, I have used online surveys, parent cultural groups, informal chat and parents information evenings to get this feedback.  However, I am trying this approach, as it is new and may allow a range of people the opportunity to share and feel that they have helped in some way to 'directing this ship'.
Forum groups will run on Tuesday afternoons from 3:30pm, and they will be held in my office. A random selection process will take place the week before by Mrs Naran and those 'lucky enough' to be selected will be informed in advance.
If you are unable to make the half hour meeting, another person will be chosen.
We will have a group of eight parents form the forum group every two weeks.
I plan to run these over terms 3 and 4. Please remember any parent is able to drop in at any time, or make an appointment to see me to share any ideas or thoughts.  However, by having a small group of people together, it enables me to meet more and thus get a better feeling of 'are we getting it right'? and 'where do we need to improve'?

Curriculum check up

AKO Learning

SYSTEMS

Develop and use management systems to support and enhance student learning.
  • Exhibit leadership that results in the effective day-to-day operation of the school.
  • Operate within board policy and in accordance with legislative requirements.
  • Provide the board with timely and accurate information and advice on student learning and school operation.
  • Effectively manage and administer finance, property, and health and safety systems.
  • Effectively manage personnel, with a focus on maximising the effectiveness of all staff members.
  • Use school/external evidence to inform planning for future action, monitor progress, and manage change.

Keeping check on what is being taught and understanding the importance of this.
How do you know that you are tracking against the 9 CL inside the school
Really simple but effective way that we use and is quite visual and brings all on board within the staff.



Sunday, August 12, 2018

10 minute walk through's

Mahi Tahi:

‘Leadership’ 

Learning AKO

PEDAGOGY

Create a learning environment in which there is an expectation that all students will experience success in learning.
  • Promote, participate in, and support ongoing professional learning linked to student progress.
  • Demonstrate leadership through engaging with staff and sharing knowledge about effective teaching and learning in the context of the New Zealand Curriculum documents.
  • Ensure staff members engage in professional learning to establish and sustain effective teacher/learner relationships with all students, with a particular focus on Māori students.
  • Ensure that the review and design of school programmes is informed by school-based and other evidence.
  • Maintain a professional learning community within which staff members are provided with feedback and support on their professional practice.
  • Analyse and act upon school-wide evidence on student learning to maximise learning for all students, with a particular focus on Māori and Pasifika students.

Have decided to keep these alive at St Dominic's. I did these about 3 year ago however with more of an inquiry based approach now with staff and senior teacher taking over this role and WST I have stepped back.
10-minute-walkthrough-a-humane-appraisal/

You do find a whole lot out in a very short time.
The 3 I did today were fantastic and I was focused on the student voice of the children.
Taking part in the decision making, team based learning, partners, sharing and learnign together were all things that I saw.


Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Strategic Plan 2018-2021

Whanaungatanga: ‘Community’

PARTNERSHIPS and NETWORKS

Strengthen communication and relationships to enhance student learning.
  • Work with the board to facilitate strategic decision making.
  • Actively foster relationships with the school’s community and local iwi.
  • Actively foster professional relationships with, and between colleagues, and with government agencies and others with expertise in the wider education community.
  • Interact regularly with parents and the school community on student progress and other school-related matters.
  • Actively foster relationships with other schools and participate in appropriate school networks.

New+CharterAnnual+2018-2021.doc

Have started to make sure this is part of the meeting structure here at school and that we make the links to the goals etc.
It has been a great document and the learning that I have made here has been transferred to the ACC Kahui Ako in regards using this doc to keep progress and develops on track.

As principal, you play a key part in making your charter a "living" document and a shared document for the school community.
To give your charter life, look at how you can intentionally link the structures and systems in your school to progressing and reviewing your school's strategic aims.