The PTs conference in North Berwick was good fun. The sessions on Appreciative Inquiry and the Dragon’s Den exercise were my favourites. I read that some didn’t feel the atmosphere of the Dragon’s Den exercise was in keeping with the tone of the weekend. I disagree with that because I think people took it in the fun spirit intended and the camaraderie that developed and learning that went on were borne out by the ideas conceived(and I’m not just saying that because we won…….I thought my competitive streak was gone, not so).
During the exercise our cluster group really went through all the stages of forming, storming, norming and performing. It was a brilliant experience to be a part of a team that grappled with the task, struggled to come to consensus, finally managed to and then just ‘took off’ with the idea, rounded off by a brilliant presentation by our PT English and Literacy, Jan Ainslie. It must have been a daunting prospect for the ‘chosen ones’ to present to the Dragons but I think most would agree it was great fun.
Afterwards I raced across to Lanark to my niece’s second birthday party arriving around 6pm. My enthusiasm about the conference was curbed a little as I was made to stop and think by my brother(he’s good at that). His question was, “how can an organisation which fundamentally values the family ask its employees to work on a Saturday, in a hotel or not? Why not have it on an in-service day” he said. I have to admit I didn’t have an answer to that one. As I think about it more, I suppose if I was being asked to justify the choice I’d say that teachers get 13 weeks or so holiday per year and not very often do they get the opportunity to come together in such a way, so one Saturday out of the year is not a ‘huge ask’. However, in an ideal world, yes, I’d probably plump for organising it on an in-service day although I’m not sure what headteachers would say about that!
I think my brother is also aware that with SQH I’ve been working most weekends since about October and that it does have an impact upon family life. My view is that it’s a short term situation and hopefully after this weekend and submitting my Unit 3 report things will calm down and my weekends will return to something like normality again. But it is a big commitment to make, there is no getting away from that.
I was fortunate enough to be able to share my experiences on SQH with a number of people at the conference, including someone taking the new flexible route and another colleague who is due to have an interview for the programme very soon. So I did get a chance to explain how much of a commitment it actually is to some who are considering taking it on. I think on balance the conference was a worthwhile experience and the principle of bringing colleagues together like this is an excellent one.
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7 responses so far ↓
OllieBray // Feb 25th 2007 at 12:54 pm
Hi Barry, it was good to see you again at the conference. I agree with your points above. Your groups presentation to the Dragons was excellent and I sensed a real buzz from the PT’s of Preston Lodge High School. You are privileged to work with such a team. Enjoy the rest of your weekend, OB
Barry Smith // Feb 25th 2007 at 1:02 pm
Thanks Ollie, good to see you too mate. I think the future of education in East Lothian is looking good with so many talented people who are so committed to making a difference.
Ewan McIntosh // Mar 2nd 2007 at 2:04 pm
I can see your brother-in-law’s point, from one angle, and then I look at the rest of the world and think that, if those who chose to come to the conference on a Saturday felt that they would be better at their jobs, then working on a Saturday is not a big deal, 13 weeks of hols a year or not. Being better at your job means that you stand a better chance of promotion, better job satisfaction, more efficient working in the long-term and therefore more time/money/happiness to share with your family. It’s a bit of the old speculate to accumulate, no?
Barry // Mar 2nd 2007 at 9:13 pm
I agree with your point that professional development is the way to greater job satisfaction. I think that the point my brother was making is that it can the start of a slippery slope towards the weekend being the default position for professional development. This undoubtedly would be a bad thing from a family point of view.
We have to be careful about the ‘choice’ aspect. The reason being that if people are making a ‘choice’ to work on a Saturday because they see it as being a positive move in terms of career prospects, then is it such a great leap away from the ‘choice’ becoming ‘expectation’ or ‘necessity’. Whether that happens or not I suppose comes down to the leadership in place and the culture it promotes. Personally I don’t have any worries on this front, but it did make me think.
Lynne Lewis // Mar 2nd 2007 at 9:23 pm
I’m glad you have highlighted this point Barry. I am sure there are many PTs who do want to be better at their jobs but are parents who couldn’t make the conference due to the childcare issues. We should think about the time children spend with their family. Too often it is forgotten.
Pauline // Mar 2nd 2007 at 11:33 pm
I tend to agree with both points of view really. I frequently reflect that my daughter spends little time with me apart from the tea, homework bath and bed. Thanks to my parents stepping in last minute I was able to go to the conference and to be honest i felt that it was a way for me to avoid a bit of ‘burn out’. It felt like time for me. I had a laugh with friends and enjoyed the discussion. The Dragon’s Den was a great way to meet a lot of people. I was able to feel enthusiastic about my job and the less said about the missing ‘free’ pens the better!
Barry // Mar 3rd 2007 at 1:41 pm
Aye, we all have our vices!
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