This blog is about my thoughts on schools and learning and how we might lead in those spaces. After 20 years of principalship at Opotiki College and Hobsonville Point Secondary School (Foundation Principal) I now operate a consultancy, HMWLead, to support school leaders. I spend my spare time running ultramarathons, listening to vinyl records and keeping an eye on what my family is up to. They all surprise me.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Calamvale Community College
POD Classroom
Teacher work area in POD
Covered Area
Outdoor Steps for Stage
Sue Bremmer with our team
The next morning we piled into our maxi cab and took the 30 minute trip to Calamvale Community College where we were met by Geoff Latta (Geoff 1). He took us to meet Sue Bremmer, the principal, who remembered me from my last visit.
She gave a presentation on her school and the curriculum journey it has been on. It was opened in 2002 and is a Year 1-12 school. It was purpose-built for integrated teaching and learning. She is a passionate and visionary leader who is being a little worn down by meddling government agencies who have required them to move away from the New Basics model which I had seen two years previously. They were determined, though, to keep the best of that model.
Geoof then took us for a tour of the junior school where we saw the PODs in action. A POD is basically a circular building with a glass teacher space as the hub and the space around it being one large space that can be broken into four individual spaces with moveable walls.
After morning tea we were hosted by Sheryl, who is the principal of the senior school. I felt she spent too much time explaining the Queensland Qualification system and UE requirements. We had a quick tour with her but I would like to have seen more of their actual programme structures. We did, however, get a sample of their timetable which is largely 3 90 min periods per day with each subject getting 2 periods a week.
During and after lunch we were hosted by Geoff 2 who is the principal of the middle school. He gave a good outline of their structure and has provided us with a curriculum planning
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment