manblog

In 2010, Mentoring Matters has been incorporated into the Mentoring for First Time Principals (MfFTP) program. I am unsure that this will work as well but am giving it a try. This year I have three mentorees: Erin in Werrimul, Tim in Swan Hill and Stuart in Kyabram. Because of the geographical spread, Skype was recommended as a means of meeting. Due to the multiple mentorees, group sessions have been recommended.

To date, three sessions have been conducted: Session 1 in Melbourne during the initial training, Session 2 via Live Meeting (Skype was unable to video conference more than two participants) and Session 3 in Melbourne this week at the LM Principals Conference. A major challenge has been to coordinate the four of us at the same time. In fact, only the first session involved us all – Session 2 was conducted separately for each mentoree and onlt two mentorees attended Session 2 in Melbourne.

Live Meeting is an effective way to conduct these sessions and easily allows catch-ups to occur.

At the moment I am involved in the Menroting Matters program with several other LM leaders and others from across the state. Two productive days at Brighton last term readied us for this well-structured program. A follow-up meeting takes place next week in Bendigo.

I am mentoring an Acting Principal at a neighbouring school and I look forward to implementing my newly acquired knowledge and skills.

I like the following items:

Ken Robinson on TED: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Blogs explained: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI

Wikis explained: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

The Rudd Government’s economic stimulus package is designed to boost economic activity and protect jobs. Fortunately for the education sector, a significant portion of the funds are targeted towards school improvement. Our school will apply for National School Pride funds to address maintenance needs and complete planned projects around our buildings and grounds. A significant building project is also expected, utilising Building the Education Revolution (BER) funds. This will help transform teaching and learning at Manangatang P-12 College to meet the needs of the 21st century.

Our school is involved in a survey of photocopying and TV program recording during Term One. The purpose of the survey is to ensure that the creators/owners of the works are rewarded for it. DEECD has an agreement with copyright organisations that allows copying (within limits) of copyrighted material and the survey measures what material is actually being copied.

All staff are required to complete a form every time a photocopier is used.

Dr Robin Matthews facilitated an informative forum on Educational Leadership at Friday’s third session. Much of the focus was on CHANGE. There are right and wrong ways to go about the implementation of change and the forum provided a ‘recipe’ for success.

As a mentor, I have found this program very useful. I imagine that the forums have been very valuable for the FTPs. I participated as a FTP in one of the first programs conducted and this one seems quite superior.

Keeping up with Darrel’s Web2.0 course has been a challenging but rewarding experience. I have to admit I have not been very social but I have managed (more or less) to get the gist of most things.

‘Tis a wondrous world we live in, isn’t it? The examples shared by other participants have been sensational and can only inspire the less-able of us to have a go. Well done!

On the last two days of October, I met with a number of other Principals who are interested in the potential of P-12 Schooling. This was the second of three forums to be held this year, organised by CEP in collaboration with DEECD. In this forum, we investigated the nature of CHANGE – how people react to it and how it can be best managed. We also developed a project for the future. The Mallee schools involved (Tyrrell, Werrimul, Murrayville, Ouyen and Manangatang) intend to implement an action research project on curriculum development based on collaboration across schools and involving a www (whatever, wherever, whenever) approach. 

The 2008 Melbourne Cup visited town last Friday and Manangatang P-12 College was included on its itinerary. A special day. Ex-jockey, John Letts, accompanied the Cup and did an excellent job addressing our students. He related some of his school experiences and the path he followed that earned him two Cup winning rides. The Cup itself was very impressive and attracted as much attention as any of the visitors we have had in the past couple of years.

Welcome to Edublogs.org. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!