Refresh, Reconnect and Refocus on Road Trip

I'm 4 weeks into a cool 8 week South Island road trip that is combining a bit of work (HMWLead) and holidaying with my wife. We've concentrated on the east coast and deep south. I've found it to be a great opportunity for my own refresh, reconnect and refocus.

After a few relaxing days in Kaikoura I co-facilitated with Derek Wenmoth a school principals' retreat at Hanmer Springs, and the following week, after brief stop overs in Timaru and Oamaru, I spent a week based in Invercargill, where my son lives, and worked for 3 days at St Peter's in Gore assisting them with their deep learning Year 11 programme (no NCEA L1 - yeehah!) and their Years 7 to 9 programme. There's some courageous leadership going on there!

I also spent a day working with the SLT and curriculum leads from Māruawai in Gore supporting their wonderful connected learning programme they are designing for their junior school. There's some courageous leadership going on there.

I'm really looking forward to a continuing partnership with both of those schools.

The following week we slowly explored the Catlins (bucket list) before heading to Te Anau for 3 days which included a wonderful coach and boat trip to and through Milford Sound.

We've now made our way to Queenstown and after a day sightseeing there and in Arrowtown I start 2 days work at Liger Leadership Academy where I am supporting them in their Year 12 programme design and project based learning model design. They are doing great stuff, which you can check out on the latest Disrupted podcast where Claire Amos hosts the Liger principal, Daniel Cooper, so they won't need my input too much longer.

I'm very much looking forward to catching up with the team there after having spent a couple of days there last November.

I'm also looking forward to catching up with my ex DP from HPSS, Sally Hart, who is now DP at Mt Aspiring College. She has the wonderful privilege of hosting us at her whare for a couple of nights!

Most of the remaining 3 weeks will be a bit of a break but will be doing remote catch ups with the Hanmer participants to support their momentum.

The work at Hanmer has had Derek Wenmoth and myself being contacted to run something similar not only for another group of principals, but also Deputy Principals. Fill out the registration of interest link if you are keen to participate or send it to another leader who you think would benefit.
https://lnkd.in/gYJwZkkr

Thanks for reading about my road trip.