Cambewarra Begins the Journey

By Susan Hilliar, Principal

How does one try to describe the Teacher Designed Schools process in a way that does not somehow limit the endless possibilities that have emerged in just 8 short months? Our school began the journey into the unknown last June and from that day onwards life at Cambewarra School has altered and continues to daily change as we design the magnificent school that we have all dreamed of for most of our educational lives.

As a school leader for some 16 years I had only been shown the generic style of leadership using inspirational words and sayings such as “be a democratic leader” and how to organize and manage my school. Sadly I was never shown what to lead and what to use to educationally lead my school. Yes I had become just like my brilliant colleagues – I was an exceptional administrator and manager but in truth I was not an educational leader. I did not know the way. I was a big events manager and knew the predictable patterns of behaviour of students, teachers and parents. I even knew my own patterns of behaviour so well. But nothing even changed and we all drove our own agendas.

So some 8 months later with an unwillingness to compromise the shared vision that our teachers created we are seeing some remarkable changes in our school. The schools reputation continues to strengthen with enrolments up by 40 in just 8 months, two additional teachers,  our casual relief expenditure has been  halved, collegiality has become unshakable and professional learning has opened and expanded with 100% of teachers actively researching within the TDS groups. We have seen a shift in student achievement in some areas of the basic skills tests and expect to see higher learning standards over the next few years. There is new vigor and enthusiasm in our school and a trust in one another that the shared vision is the single most important road that we walk together. Perhaps the most important foundation stone was working through the 10/4 voting to determine which core values were at the heart of our school. Our values of respect, responsibility, care, kindness, doing your best and fairness have been the glue that has bound us together.  It is the common language and consistency in our behaviour which has allowed each of us to move into the pit and support one another. The core values have bought about a safety by defining the parameters in which we agree on with students, parents and with one another. These values have made the pit a safe place to experience and to move through at our own pace. It is these values that have allowed me to support the teachers in those tricky and sometimes gnarly moments with our community. Yes the storming is a reality and I am beginning to wonder if it is in this rough dark place that in fact brings about the deepest shifts and greatest openings. The leadership team very early on designed a shared leadership vision to support the teacher designed shared vision. To be honest there are times that I have wobbled and fallen down behind the closed door but the magnificent leadership team has always been on high alert to remind me and insist on staying clear, strong and focused. I am thankful that I don’t do this alone!

We have much work to do to bring about the best possible school for our children but we are clear, strong and focused. Our shared vision isn’t up for negotiation with our Department of Education. We are getting better at saying “no that does not align to our shared vision” 

My gratitude and thanks are whispered each day as I drive to school. Our lives have been changed in that one day that we came together to dream up and articulate our vision. It is this vision that drives and determines what we will not compromise on and what hill we are willing to die on to make certain that Cambewarra Public School is the magnificent place of learning for students, teachers and our community. This is deep transformational work that goes beyond what words can truly describe. Bring it on!

Networking in Norway

By Mary Wilson

The life of a principal is all about relationships and connections, well it should be.  I have just been to Norway for the second time in four months and for a girl who had not ventured in to that part of the world before it has been awesome.  Both times I have been to present at conferences about the amazing journey of starting a school from scratch.  For me that journey started May 2004.

The first visit last September was to talk about setting up a positive and effective learning culture, this time in January 2007, was about how we had established effective distributed leadership across the school and its impact on classroom programmes.  Both aspects, as all parts of our school, hinge off the power of the shared vision.  It is truly the cornerstone and affects everything we do.

On both occasions I have been lucky to made connections with colleagues in the network.  Ragnhild in Norway is the first principal to launch in to this challenge and I have had great meaningful discussions with her on both occasions.  In September I met with James and some of the principals in Northumberland , England who were about to start the journey.  The emails I have had since then show things are changing and the process is well underway.

As a principal I strongly believe we must keep our eyes and minds open outside our schools not just in our own neighbourhood but also nationally and globally so that we don’t become insular and closed to new thoughts and ideas.  The conversations I have had with TDS colleagues both within New Zealand as well as overseas have been enriching and helped greatly to strengthen belief in what we are trying to achieve is well worthwhile for learners and a very positive step forward.  I encourage all within education to keep outward looking and form relationships and connections widely.  Once this is done keep the communication going, never be too busy.  These links are vital to stay vibrant, passionate and focused leaders.

Thoughts from Norway to share with other Teacher Designed Schools around the world!

By Ranghild Isachsen

My Deputy, Steinar and I had 2 great and powerful days in Drammen, Norway a fortnight ago,  meeting and listening to two powerful ladies, Mary Wilson and her Deputy Genee Crowley from Baverstock Oaks School, Auckland, NZ !

The first day Mary spoke about “School Leadership that works – A Ki wi distributed leadership model” – the model Bill Martin and John Edwards have built up/created, a Teacher Designed Schools Journey... the process of creating and living a Shared Vision.  A journey we are a part of as being a Network School .

Mary mentioned also that day how many schools there were in the Shared Vision process in NZ, Australia, US, UK – and one school in Norway !!  That’s our school/after school club (AFC) and kindergarten in Tonsberg!  We were very proud, you can imagine with 200 heads and deputies there...

Especially the second day was most interesting for us.  Mary and Genee guided us brilliantly through their Shared Vision process so far, their TDS Journey more in details, and shared all their experiences with us.  Since Baverstock is in the 2^nd year of the process, a year ahead of us, we learnt a lot of what is wise to do and what doesn’t work out to the benefit of the staff, students and parents.

Mary and Genee showed us their key components in building a rich learning culture at Baverstock, from the core of their Shared Vision.

We got in other word quite a lot of very good ideas to bring home to our process and research groups being in the pit...  They are struggling finding time to meet.  But I think by now some of them are through the first pit and little storm, I guess there will be more pits and storms later on, quite natural.  We have made our 4^th draft of the Shared Vision, by now we are very satisfied.

I met Mary the first time in September 06, and then she had a rather too short lecture about the school system and leadership in New Zealand . 

Thanks to Mary and Genee for sharing powerful tools with us, powerful leadership, showing us their enthusiasm and energy and their love for doing this process at Baverstock..... and together.

Staff retreat, their learning cycle, learning strategies, de Bono's thinking hats, portfolio and personal vision for the students as well as the teachers impressed us.  At Baverstock all are learners, that’s sure!  They are learning together as the journey’s going on...   and so are we at Hogsnes school/AFC and Ki ndergarten as well!

Meeting other Network Schools, sharing experiences and learning from each other is very, very powerful, indeed.  It’s far to New Zealand , but we hope to visit Baverstock one day!  It is as we have known each other for a long time!

Ragnhild Isachsen

Head, Hogsnes School/ASC and Ki ndergarten

Cannon Hill - Prelude to 2007

By Chris Ling, Principal

Our planning for 2007 is based on the curriculum conversations we are currently having with each team i.e. P-1; 2-3; 4-5; and 6-7.  Our 3 Way reporting project strongly influenced by what we are learning about the Reggio approach is ready for implementation.  Now we need to be ready to do it.  We can only do this by talking together, challenging ourselves and each other and being prepared to take the well-thought–out risks that will enable us to move to our Vision. 

“As students develop a rich set of lifelong learning tools(Building Learning Power), they take responsibility for their own learning with enthusiasm and commitment (3 Way Reporting Philosophy).

Teaching programs are based on skilled teacher observation(Reggio Documentation, Portfolios) of student learning and on consultation with individual students(Goal setting and feedback)” (Vision 2004)

During this year we have had time to plan, trial, learn and reflect.  We have scaled down our 3 Year Plan twice to get it to the achievable stage.  It still calls for challenging adaptations to our work.  We now have some real meat on the bones of our ideas, specific strategies to do on a daily, weekly basis to create a culture of student responsibility for learning with enthusiasm and commitment in our student body.  We need the work of all staff members to support this change, Aides, Office Staff, Grounds staff, Specialists and Class teachers.

In line with the professional development we did with Bill and John, I have gradually changed my role to more leadership functions e.g. vision (where we are going together), mental models (what we are thinking, believing and valuing) and systemic structures (how we are organising) and less management functions which I have found that teachers and other staff are doing with far greater skill and far better results than I could have achieved.  No doubt I still have more to learn in doing this.

Each and every one of us will need to engage in asking ourselves what the school really means by “responsibility for their own learning” and “skilled observation” and how can I authentically make that a part of what I do each day?

After 3 years of Vision writing, research, professional development, we are not turning back.  2007 is the year when we turn all this learning and thinking into reality.  For this we will need to learn to talk to each other as professional colleagues.  We are here to work together with each other…not just our friends.  We need to apply facilitative questioning (FQ) so we can really listen to and understand what each other is saying and thinking and believing.  We need to build professional connections with each other so that we can have the tough conversations to challenge and support one another - as our Values say.

As we change facilities, rooms and locations in line with our Master Plan, we have a golden opportunity to take the steps towards where we want to be.  This Vision was written by you, the teachers, staff and parents of Cannon Hill. A number of you have come to Cannon Hill during the time since we did this together and therefore inherit the intentions of your colleagues.  Next year as part of our Triennial School Review, you will be able to engage in the democratic process of revisiting our Vision which was started this year with Bill and John.

As we have scaled down our three year plan, we have not forgotten or lost the projects which everyone worked so hard for.   The project plans are still alive and will be part of our considerations for the TSR in 2007.

To refresh all our memories I have attached:

1.   The current Action Plan for 3 Way Reporting, our major focus for Term 4, 2006 and into 2007.

2.   The Principles of Reggio, our overall major project and one which can influence how we do 3 Way Reporting Project especially through the practice of Documentation with its capacity to give very significant observations of student’s thinking.

3.   The 3 Year Plan developed in 2005 and the Project Plans developed this year and still to be fully implemented.

So congratulations for a great year of laying the foundations for significant movement towards our Vision.  Congratulations on the commitment to the 3 Way Meetings with parents which have been almost 100% successful in engaging parents and students in conversations lead by students about their learning and progress.  We cannot underestimate the achievement of this project in which the whole school has worked together to establish a new way of reporting to parents and enabling children to take responsibility for their learning.

STAFF FEEDBACK

It is such a shame I couldn’t share a nice wine, glowing embers, and a cozy chair to talk about more of your experiences. I, too, have led a life of wonderful experiences (both at home and abroad) and have taught in a huge variety of schools. After each school I asked myself…What is this school missing? In most instances it has been a HEART. It has been great to see that some leading educationalists have experienced schools with HEARTS…beating, breathing, vibrant, full of life schools. So, I will keep a nice red ready for your return! Teacher

The last two days have been wonderful. I saw you two guys last year (November) at Shellharbour and was inspired. I talked and talked to Susan and Trent about our possible involvement in the Teacher Designed Schools Network and our shared vision and was ecstatic when our staff made the decision to participate. We are about to embark on a very exciting and inspirational journey with hopefully the results reflecting my longing of having an exceptional school with a shared belief. I’VE WAITED 28 YEARS FOR THIS!! Perhaps I have just wanted somebody, anybody to encourage me (us) to take risks to do what we want, how we want. Many thanks for your excellent presentations (very entertaining, informative, passionate). This has to be the best course I have ever been to. I feel sorry for teachers at other schools – their loss. Please, please don’t retire. There are many more schools out there needing help. Deputy Principal

I honestly don’t know where to start. I have learned so much over the past two days about teaching, life and myself. You both model emotional intelligence, something I aspire to also model. I truly look forward to this process and being an advocate for this process in my local community and statewide. I now have strategies to help me lead instead of manage. I look forward to making a personal vision, a class vision with my students and driving my school’s vision. You guys inspire me to be a better person, a richer person and have given me the information to apply my new found knowledge. I truly thank you! Deputy Principal

Thank “Dog” (dyslexic)! What a breath of fresh air! I feel so privileged to have been part of this. I can relate so much to your experiences, anecdotes and brilliant research and ideas. I thought that this was never going to happen ever. I thought it was a pipe dream I had of my ideas and ideals. The Department of Education in New South Wales could do with a reality check like this across the board. I, too, left school with a dislike of school, teachers and education at 16 years of age. I have worked in a trade and many jobs, eventually going to study in 1991 and graduating at 40 years of age to become disillusioned by the back stabbing and obtuse behavior of teachers, executives and departments. Cambewarra is a unique school where the principal, Susan, is an outstanding person who “gives a damn” about “people.” Again, I am privileged to be part of this school.  I have been inspired by your work here. WOW!!! I lost so much through teaching – my partner, my mind, and self-worth to the edge of suicide. Cambewarra and you have certainly helped me discover hope for education and teaching and something I know I can be good at. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Thank you for a very interesting two days. I appreciated your down to earth attitude and practical ideas. I’m grateful for the continuing support and follow up, making your course different from other in-services and giving it a chance of really making a difference. Teacher

Thank you for your honesty, integrity, patience, understanding, and inspiration. I am an old, old teacher but you make me inspired to keep at it. I enjoyed the vision journey, the 10/4 voting and the opportunity to dialogue. I thank you for clarifying the subtle difference between leadership and management. I spend too long in management! I look forward to the next three years researching, trialing, modifying and implementing.Teacher

Thank you (these two words are just not enough) for the wonderful journey we’ve started with you two great guys. I loved every minute of it, wanted to hold on to every word you said. We are indeed privileged to be given the opportunity of working with you. Deputy Principal

I found the inquiry probes very confronting, but rewarding. I loved the stories, particularly John and Bill’s stories about the reality of teachers’ lives. I feel the process will allow us to be more honest and open with each other and create greater collegiality. I can’t wait to work towards our shared vision with the support, care and input of my fellow comrades. It was hard not to discuss! Teacher

Thank you very much for a fantastic two days. You have challenged me and I know I will be traveling on a fantastic journey with my staff. The communication has been excellent and I feel confident that I will be able to contact you if the need arises. The opportunity to work with Susan is also wonderful. As a new principal to the area I am feeling very happy that I will have the opportunity to develop a collegial relationship. Your ability to inform staff, communicate information and “put them at ease” is to be commended. Principal

Thank you for opening up our minds! It was mind blowing – a lot to take in and think about. You are inspiring and it makes me feel better about myself. A lot of things you said I thought were down to earth and realistic and sometimes could relate to myself. In other words, I’m not the only one who does or thinks this. The thinking skills and core values discussed were great and of course “the pit” was a great way to describe the way people/teachers feel. You give me inspiration to keep going and improve my skills in my teaching profession. Teacher

Thank you for the two days. I wish both my kids were beginning school instead of just one of them. I’m sure they will both be better thinkers and hopefully never get stuck in “the pit” (as I did). I’m going home tonight to show my son “the pit” graph. I’m excited for the teachers. Parent

I came enthusiastic but with no idea what the two days would hold! I remain enthusiastic, very worried, but totally supported by your input (My great sadness is that my husband retired five years too early! He would have taken great joy in your “walk and talk”). I hope we can all pull together to make the BRAVE decisions that are needed in a community like ours. Safe travels and I’ll see you next year (I’ll have to put off my retirement!!!). Teacher

Thank you for great two days fellows. I loved the inspiring stories of “successes” and “failures!” I think with much trepidation that I’m about to enter “the pit.” I hope to come out of “the pit”, the storm in my leaky boat as a better teacher, because I really want to make sure that the children in my care don’t struggle in pits. All the best, onward and upward! Teacher

I came knowing little an am leaving inspired with crossed fingers, determination and a good staff to sail with. I will not fall off the ship! Thank you for the variety, the positivism and the enthusiasm. We love our school and kids and this will make it all the better. Thank you for re-affirming what a lucky person I am being a teacher. Teacher

Well, what can I say? It has been an inspirational two days. I am ready to start this journey and I am glad to have you both supporting us through this. All of the information that you have shared with us has been extremely helpful. You have left me speechless but given me a great start to my teaching career. Teacher

This has been very inspiring and thought provoking in all aspects. I thought I was getting towards the end of my teaching career and envied our newly trained staff members who are so lucky and privileged to be able to start their journey with this exciting project that will mold their teaching and their lives for years to come. But, I have also changed my thinking. I still have a lot to give, a lot to learn and would also be privileged to be part of this on-going process, so there are plenty of reasons to rethink an “ending date” for my teaching life. Teacher

I am so ready to get walking and talking! I want to look for my moth and refine it even more so. Let’s look practically: I learned about myself. I learned about my colleagues. I look forward to the future! May I still be here in 12 months to renew the vigor! I loved the 10/4 voting, the inquiry probes and the many stories. Teacher

I didn’t know what to expect. We’ve heard a lot about the Teacher Designed Schools and were ready to listen, learn, participate and enjoy. We certainly did that. You have both been inspirational. It was very hard to listen, write down and not discuss. It was a great idea, one I’ll take back to my classroom. There will be many interesting, frustrating and eye opening paths ahead. Thanks for your food for thought, your heartfelt and emotional input. I know we will be working hard to fulfill many roads that have opened up for us. Teacher

My second opportunity to listen to you guys was absolutely inspiring. Unfortunately, I never feel adequately equipped in explaining the wonderful messages that you have conveyed, but I will keep trying. Our vision and subsequent journey will be an exciting time for us this year. I’m looking forward to keeping in contact with you about our trepidations and successes. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I feel we will become a terrific place to learn and work! I only hope I can convey at least some of the passion and commitment you have displayed over the past two days. Keep safe and thanks. Teacher

Well……I have finally stopped crying and can now string a sentence together without the tears welling and the heart swelling! In fact on arrival to school yesterday morning most of my staff was gathered in the staff room debriefing from the evening – the sharing in those moments were deep and truthful – we all ended up crying again…. My staff has been moved beyond any force or energy that I have ever witnessed before. The opening has begun….just magnificent. You know I noticed many things about you both throughout the two days and one of those being that neither of you spoke that you were tired and yet you must have been. I have learned from that and knowing that you were leading fully charged. Yesterday at school was amazing. The minute I walked into the school I felt empowered for the first time in my educational life, I have a crystal clear vision as to where we are going, I have a clarity on how to do this and, at last, the understanding of why I need to do what I need to do….Thanking you both doesn’t really say it for me but I know you could see in me……through my tears the enormous gratitude I have……gratitude that you both came into my life and that you have given me this opportunity to make a difference to our planet. I was born to do this…I was always meant to do this but got side tracked!!! I am fortunate that our paths have crossed. “The greatest of all human potential is the potential of each of us to empower and acknowledge the other.” – Jean Houston. This is what you have done for me. My life has changed. I felt and do feel so safe in your company, a safeness that supports my vulnerability and unknowing. I am ready! “A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark.”Principal