Optimism & Resilience: Third Annual Conference

Our annual school conference is a special way to end the year on a high that we all look forward too. I blogged about our last two events and this year we again pilgrimaged to the Nan Tien Temple in Wollongong. It was another rewarding experience. Reverend Yo opened the day with Tai Chi and the conference with […]

Representation, Composites and Frank Hurley

“…had  a long argument with Hurley who wants to be able to make ‘composite’ pictures for his exhibition” * CEW Bean Introduction I love the story of Frank Hurley (1885-1962). He left school at 12 and escaped the drudgery of a working class life at the turn of the century through a passion for photography […]

How to live

‘Montaigne liked to present himself as an ordinary man, distinguished from others only by his habit of writing things down’. I am halfway through Montaigne’s essays  and recommend them as great reflections to keep on your bedside table. If you are interested in the seismic shifts we have experienced in our hyperconnected age – the rise of the […]

Summer Holiday Reading

Because in my memory of childhood there is always the smell of bubbling tar, of Pinke Zinke, the briny smell of the sea. It is always summer and I am on Scarborough Beach, blinded by light, with my shirt off and my back a map of dried salt and peeling sunburn. There are waves cracking […]

My Edublog Award Nominations for 2011

The Edublog Awards provides opportunity  to grow the community of edubloggers and let others know how professionally and personally important they are to us. It also gives one a chance to update blogrolls. I couldn’t believe that I had left some of my favourite bloggers of my roll. Apologies…and apologies to any friends, colleagues and bloggers […]

Year 10 English in 2012

cc licensed ( BY SD ) flickr photo shared by Josef Grunig I am excited at the prospect of teaching Year 10 English next year; the first time since 2006. The NSW Board of Studies has been instructed to abolish the School Certificate and there are great opportunities for teachers, with the extra time suddenly available, […]

Teachers and Social Media

“If you can’t dance a step, you can’t teach it, and if you can’t teach it – we might as well all pack up and go home.” from STRICTLY BALLROOM cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Dell’s Official Flickr Page I read Steve Wheeler’s PLN post, ‘Tools of the trade’ this weekend and […]

The Melbourne Declaration, Democracy and School

…please strive to maximise [my daughters’] potential…so that they can contribute to and enjoy the fruits of living within an Australian society that is fair, just, tolerant, honourable, knowledgeable, prosperous and happy. Dr Paul Brock Goal 2: All young Australians become successful learners, confident and creative individuals, and active and informed citizens          ‘Melbourne Declaration’ The Melbourne Declaration on the […]

Building a school in Cambodia

My friend and colleague, Lynette Lanham, is celebrating a significant birthday early next year by asking her friends and colleagues to support the construction of a school in Cambodia. What a wonderful idea! Lynette travelled to Cambodia last year and was entranced by the beauty of the country while becoming increasingly aware of the ongoing […]

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