Leading learning

Annual NHS Leaders' Conference

The school Leadership team, comprising Principal class members, Leading Teachers and Learning Specialists, as well as our Business Manager, recently spent Sunday and Monday on a retreat and planning conference. Two days away together was an invaluable opportunity to spend time reviewing our progress this year, setting priorities and developing our skills for further growth and development in 2020.  Taking time out of the 'busy-ness' to look at the big picture, gain clarity and plan ahead is an essential leadership action, and the team worked hard and built on solid and trusting relationships throughout the two days. 

Prior to the conference, the team conducted a thorough review of our latest high-stakes school data, including NAPLAN 2019, the Student Attitudes to School Survey and Staff and Parent Opinion Surveys. This data was tested against observational and qualitative data from internal surveys, focus groups and other feedback mechanisms. The work over the two days included:

• reviewing and reflecting on our achievements in 2019 Annual Implementation Plan (AIP)
• examining and refining the new Strategic Plan so we can prioritise and break up the work in a coherent manner, building on current work, over the next 4 years
• mapping out the 2020 AIP that we will further refine with staff
• looking at the preliminary findings from the Assessment and Reporting review that we have been conducting this year with staff, students and families
• planning the 2020 School Calendar and Professional Learning program
• examining the feedback collected from staff and students about the Connect program to identify ways to strengthen this area of the school. 

Some key areas for discussion were around how to further enhance our feedback, planning and classroom practices to ensure all that students are known, feel ownership of their learning and can identify their next steps for progress.

We also worked with international consultant Colin Pidd who ran an insightful and useful workshop on  organisational culture, the 'who-ness' of leadership and conversations that influence.

We look forward to sharing more details and the fruits of our planning with you over the coming months.