The future for Saint Paul's

Modern Learning Environments
A Vision of the Future for Saint Paul's 

Saint Paul's is on a journey of change. Our students  live in the 21st century and will need to thrive in a digital environment that requires a unique set of skills. Our own teacher survey identified a lot of the attributes recommended by the meta analysis( in red) in the following graphic. The black text are the teachers responses. 

To foster these skills( some new and some old) we have moved toward the use of digital tools and the associated changes in teaching practice.   We are currently an optional BYOD school. Some teaching practice changes have been made to develop inquiring, independent and collaborative student learning.  I believe these can be further facilitated by physical changes in the classroom environment. There is a wealth of research about the effectiveness of changes that open up the classroom and allow children spaces for different ways to learn. Teachers also benefit hugely from a the collaborative approach needed in these spaces as well. The Ministry of Education insist on schools having a plan for making physical changes over the next ten years. ( see the 10 Year Plan) 

We are fortunate at Saint Paul's that the original architect had the development of 'Modern Learning Environments' in mind when he designed the building with a central 'break out' space ( or roost ). We have a keen advocate for M.L.E's in our Acting Deputy Principal. She is already running her classroom collaboratively during literacy time. She would like to start to continue with this by spilling out into the 'roost' through glass doors in Term 4. This would also give our junior students a consistent significant adult to bond with during their first two years at school.  This is also recommended practice for children of this age and brain development. I have asked one of our parents to come and give us a ball park figure for this work. 

With this all in mind I went with Sarah to have a look at Hampden Street School where they have created a modern learning environment in their senior block.  I would like to organise a visit during school time for our Board members to see for themselves. This is the right time for us because we are thinking about and planning for a performance/meeting space. It is important for us to use our limited funds wisely and with the best possible outcomes for teaching and learning.

Check out this link to give you a quick idea http://youtu.be/kRSJrN1h3as

The Power to Innovate: NZPF Conference 2013

The Power to Innovate: NZPF Conference 2013

The conference was a good mix of educational and personal inspiration. I have put aside the speakers who concentrated on the personal because the educational speakers have messages from which a wider audience will benefit.


The most powerful presentation was from James Nottingham about the notion of labeling and the negative impacts of even the positive labels. I was particularly struck with his argument that grouping on ability had negative impacts for both the top and bottom groups. Interestingly this argument is based on the work on effect size by John Hattie. I hadn't realized that children in the top group go backwards because of the idea that they are naturally talented.  When they find something difficult they think that it is not true and don't persevere.

This is a short video where he explains his argument. His thinking about the importance of the progress children make has important implications for our assessment and reporting.

Vivianne Robinson is a New Zealand educator who has been working in the area of leadership. Her overall message was to reinforce the idea that the Principal's key role is to develop a framework for school improvement which will engage the school in an action learning process.