Senior Leadership Planning Days

2015 Plans and Initiatives
This week the Senior Leadership team (and Learning Leaders on Friday) retreated into offices in town to focus upon the direction of the school for 2015.  It was an excellent chance to review the current year, the recent ERO review and look to enhance our practice.  


There were several key areas which we dedicated our time to.  Several of these will be the subject of much professional development over the next few terms.  Primarily for your information these are some of the core focus points...

1. Priority Learners - this was a core point emphasised by ERO.  They were particularly interested in how we were identifying these students, what expectations we as senior leaders have and what strategies are being utilised by teachers in the classrooms. 
2. Learning Advisories - we undertook a detailed analysis of the current set up of Learning Advisory.  From the time of day, regularity of advisory time, role of the Pouako, purpose/intent of the advisory, horizontal/vertical forms, to the a similar system observed on a recent DP trip to Auckland.  
3. The House System - what ways can we enhance this competition.  Creating leadership opportunities for our year 13 students.
4. Global Curriculum View - how can we consciously map the entire learning experience for our students.  Across all learning areas, over the seven years of Waihi College what ways are we reaching our learners.  This also encompassed much discussion on assessment data.  
5. Calendar of Events for 2015 - this will be a separate post.  But primarily scheduling in the core events of the Waihi College community.  Interesting things of note; Spirit days move to end of term two, and the senior prize giving moved to after NCEA external exams.   
6. Staff Meetings - at length discussion on the number of meetings, times and days of the week.  Looking at 2015 dropping the Tuesday 8am meeting - rather looking at having more regular after school Monday meetings.  The plan is to look at Monday pm meetings being on a three week rotation following the rotation of (week 1 - Senior Leadership meetings, week 2 - Learning Leaders meetings, week three - TIC/Subject specific meetings).  Thursday morning meetings will move into 'Ako Meetings' where teams focus on full cohort of students (more information to follow on this).
7. Quality Assurance - looking at the goal from ERO to make the exceptional practice the common practice here at Waihi College.  What will this look like for staff and learners in their lessons?  

The retreat was a great time for the senior leadership team (and the Learning Leaders - on Friday) to get a chance to think of the big picture.  Being my first retreat I really enjoyed the experience as we 'nutted out' the pro's and con's of each new idea.  It was very much the case that we had a constant thread of thinking "how will this idea be implemented in the classroom".  I trust that we've come up with some workable ideas (most require 'work' though).  

Naturally we are expecting that there are yet uptapped good ideas amongst the staff.  I would hope that you are able to come and present some new ideas or feedback.  Please do take the time to consider your ideas and come to speak with one of the senior leadership team.  

This post relates to RTC #5. show leadership that contributes to effective teaching and learning and RTC #   6. conceptualise, plan and implement an appropriate learning programme