Barry Smith - Learning about Learning

We had a full staff meeting on Friday afternoon.  The agenda was filled with what looked like some of the usual issues, litter, graffiti, the behaviour of certain groups of students etc. However, far from turning into the possible greetin’ meetin’ it could have been, it became a very positive discussion of classroom practice and the strategies that we can use to work with some of our most needy youngsters.  There were significant differences of opinion aired, but all were done so within a framework of professionalism and respect. I came away feeling really encouraged, it was a lesson in not assuming that you know the way things are going to pan out just because it may have happened in the past.   

Earlier in the day we’d had our early morning ALPs planning meeting to discuss the students who were being selected for the programme and to discuss the induction and the programme itself.  I was again amazed by the turnout.  We had representation from the local police, the integration team, POPs, Mobex, Active Steps andschool staff!  All at 7.30am on a Friday morning.  It brought home very clearly to me the strength of feeling and commitment there is to support young people in the community who need guidance in a positive direction.

Looking back at my previous post vision and values, I’m pleased I did post it because I’ve had not only a response from others formally through the blog comments but also informally from colleagues who read it.  It was definitely a worthwhile exercise and one I will no doubt repeat in the future.  Declaring and discussing values as professionals I’m coming to believe is a way to shape ‘where we go’ with A Curriculum for Excellence on a local, regional and national level, but I find that there are less opportunities to do so than you would imagine for such an important matter.  Such things take not insignificant consideration and reflection.  It is seems clear to me that blogging/learning logging, whatever you want to call it, is filling an important role in that sense for many people.