News and Views

With the constant changes to curriculum it is important that we always remember the importance of taking time to PLAN learning experiences that meet the learning needs of our students. CPD 4 Teachers takes teachers through the process of backward mapping when programming. We start with the end in mind: …

  CRITICAL and CREATIVE THINKING in your SCHOOL Is it necessary to teach thinking since it is what humans do naturally? Students should be taught to perform this innate process of thinking more efficiently and effectively. Marzano and Kendall’s New Taxonomy is a framework that supports schools in creating a …

One of the greatest factors in change and growth is the quality of feedback. Effective feedback needs to be accurate, consistent and quick, and must be preceded by self-evaluation. How effective are my questions in driving curiosity? How can I differentiate learning activities to maximise engagement for every student? Mentors …

Take advantage of having Michael Griffin work in your school for a week or fortnight, leading sessions with staff, parents and students. Also take advantage of opportunities for coaching and mentoring with individual teachers in their classroom. Michael Griffin is available to work with teachers to achieve their goals on …

In his book ‘Over-Schooled yet Under-Educated’, John Abbott likens the education of our children to the stability of a three-legged stool. To be balanced, Abbott says, it requires equal contributions from school, family and community. One of the greatest predictors of academic achievement is the family environment. We need parents …

There are certain experiences, there are certain opportunities, and there are certain jobs … that only experts get invited to. If you want to be an expert, learn the expertise mindset! Underpinning the self-efficacy of continuous progress is the Growth Mindset. Students learn that the greatest predictor of success is …

Linking intrinsic motivation with Growth Mindset and Metacognition. Why is it that some people achieve so much more than others? An overarching concern for educators, it is motivation that underpins people’s choices and actions. Motivation is the fuel of human behaviour – nothing gets done without it. Motivation creates in …

PEDAGOGICAL LEADERSHIP – Leading your team. This course develops the pedagogical leadership and capacity of individual teachers, middle leaders or senior leaders in a range of positions and at various career stages. It is ideal for: Aspiring Teacher Leaders Primary and Secondary Co-ordinators Academic and KLA Co-ordinators and/or Heads of …

Successful student outcomes do not just happen by chance! Building teacher capacity can sometimes feel over-whelming. Professional learning time and money is not always spent well and a band-aid approach is often applied, hence having no effective and sustainable impact on student learning. Are your school’s targeted goals  clear and …

A great way to allow teachers to professionally learn together is through the structure of “Learning Teams.” These small learning communities of teachers who work together with the same cohort of students are an effective way to share expertise, explore learning goals, access feedback and collect qualitative and quantitative data, …