Firstly, sorry about any confusion with the survey about Commercial Use of Schools.  The "double negative" effect with the Nil return question was obviously ambiguous.  It has now been edited a bit and hopefully will be a bit more straightforward.  If you've already submitted yours, it's fine, as it's been easy enough to work out the intended response. You don't need to worry about re-submitting.

If you would like to respond right away, then you can click here to go there now.

It continues to be a fairly busy start for the year and your support and co-operation in working through any issues with class formations, staffing, accommodation etc etc has been much appreciated.  It was good to have everybody together at our meeting last Tuesday and it will be good as we move through the year to see what each of the other networks within the larger school education group has been doing. 

As mentioned at our meeting, I'll be involved in an Induction program for Beginning Teachers at Kurri Kurri TAFE on Wednesday.  This is the first of two programs being run this term.  If you have any beginning teachers who will be attending either program tell them to come and say hello at the program, as it will be good to put faces to names.

On Tuesday, I'm calling in to have a look at the Tools for Learning program which was organised by Wayne Matsen.  As discussed at our meeting I have taken over the regional SED responsibility for Technology and am keen to have a look at what we are currently offering in terms of providing good quality suggestions for enhancing teaching and learning programs and assisting the generation of sustainable ICT solutions across a wide range of areas in education.  Interestingly enough, my basic belief is that one of the key issues we have yet to confront is the need for more than a grudging acceptance of the role of ICT within our work, at all levels.

Then, from Thursday to Sunday I'll be part of the regional contingent at the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) conference being held at Coogee.  You will have seen the advice from Trish Kelly in relation to the inclusion, within the next staffing cycle, of specific criteria within the selection process which highlight commitment to the Aboriginal Education Strategy.  This is a recognition of the extent to which we are all showing that Aboriginal Education is definitely 'Everybody's Business"

Book your PARS visit now - online booking ready to go

You are invited to book a time for the Term One PARS visit as soon as possible.  Please choose to accept the invitation :-)

For all of the relevant information and links, visit the HCC4 blog at http://www.pryorcommitment.com/hcc4/

P&C Day - This Wednesday 7 March

You may already be aware, but this Wednesday has been set aside as P&C Day, a day for drawing attention to the role that P&Cs play in supporting the work of schools. 

It is becoming increasingly evident that a key issue in transforming the way we "do" education has to do with engaging parents and communities and working with them to develop greater understandings about the way that education must transform to meet the needs of a very different generation of learners...and a very different global economy and political landscape in which we all negotiate and construct our futures.

Meetings

Enjoyed the opportunity to join an Executive meeting at Hunter School of Performing Arts last week.  At Bryan's invitation it was good to talk about some of the context for what we do and how we then need to sharpen the focus onto what the real evidence from data shows us, and what our priorities need to be.

Thanks to the Cardiff Group too, as we are setting up an afternoon opportunity to meet with and share a presentation with the Exec staff and other interested staff in that group of schools.

I know that both the Newcastle Primary Executive Group - nEXt - and the Lake Macquarie equivalent - PEN - are meeting again this year.  Please encourge your Exec staff to take advantage of any opportunities for networking ideas and relationships. 

Ideas for voluntary sessions

I mentioned to everybody at our meeting last week that it might be good to try some voluntary sessions where we could focus on a topic or an area of learning.  If you have any ideas for sessions which would interest you, then please feel free to flick me an email with your suggestions. 

Have a great week .. 

Roger