Tai's Inquiry 2017

Staff PD Term 3

Framework for Depth and Complexity Taster Workshop

There were some really wonderful ways of extending your learners. I would really consider going on the actual course to ensure I am implementing the framework at it's maximum capacity.

James Nottingham

I have taken quite a few gems from this PD and started implementing them into my classroom practice. We have had a focus on Growth Mindset and looking at the " Dip" analogy for when children are struggling. I have also discovered that Class Dojo has some wonderful resources and great models of what it is like to feel in The Dip. It also gives children a really good explanation of how they can get themselves out of the Dip through reflection and time. Towards the end of the day we started sharing our ideas standing up and moving around to stimulate our brains. I think this way of sharing is great especially for kids.

Leader in Me

Over the holidays, the staff were given a book to read called  The Leader in Me. Our school are in the process of embedding a values programme throughout the whole school. The book focuses on instilling 7 habits within your learners and upon reading it, I found they were also skills that could be applied to real life situations.
Our Teacher Only day had a focus on the book and the staff also listened to Brent Griffin from Western Heights Primary school where the 7 habits were embedded within the students. It was lovely to listen to students talk about them so passionately and how these habits have made positive changes within their lives. but also within the school. At my previous school, the values programme was the Golden Rules and Golden Time. It took a while to get started and for the duration of time I was here ( nearly 9 years) it was definitely part of the school culture. Setting something up like this needs plenty of time, you also need to get buy in from the staff in order for it to be completely embedded in the school language and culture. I do like the sound of the 7 habits as I can see it is something I can apply into my life and they are habits I would like to instill within my own children.

Native Show

Our school were treated today with some wonderful culture. The children got a taste of Canadian Indian song and dance. These are amazing opportunities for the children to be exposed to other cultures. We live in such a multicultural society, to be given this kind of opportunity is very rare. We are lucky.

RE Music Site

A few years back, this site was created so that when there were up and coming masses and liturgies all classroom were able to practice the songs.

Adding music/ audio onto sites is quite a fiddly process, as you have to find appropriate gadgets to play the audio. There is also the conversion of audio files so that they are compatible with the gadget being used.
This site was used often throughout the school day and ensured the staff had access to the new songs being learnt. I have found that upon leaving St Mary's that I had to train someone up to dd more music. They are very lucky in that most of the songs are already there and not many changes need to be made.

RE Music Site

2017 A Year of Change

This year I have taken a massive step in my career by accepting a position at a new school. This position is the role of a Team Leader in a Year 2 Syndicate, so yes a wonderful opportunity to give myself more room to grow professionally and personally.
I will admit that this decision was extremely difficult to make, particularly considering it was one where I had to come right out of my comfort zone and leave a place that had a culture that I felt was completely embedded in me and my family.
I will admit there is a lot more pressure in this role and there have been days where I have felt overwhelmed with the workload. But I am reassured that in any new position, it will come with it's challenges. I am very lucky in that my team are very supportive, the staff have been very inviting and as I become more and more familiar with the school, the more I am convinced that this has definitely been the change that I have been longing. I have discovered recently that in my previous school I came across as shy and as someone who often did not voice ideas or concerns. Coming into this role I feel I can really grow into this position and my confidence has been given quite boost as I lead my team over the term. I have definitely found the voice that has been desperate to come out and I am liking this new person that I am becoming. Do watch this space as I set out on a quest on bettering myself as a learner and as a leader.