From my window I'm staring while my coffee grows cold. Look over there! (Where?) (Joe Jackson)

Photo by Julia Kuzenkov on Unsplash

Seth Godin's blog usually has some thought provoking material worth sharing.

Here's his latest, which has me a tad baffled:

“But I can see it!”

Which is closer, the sun or Buffalo, NY?

Something might be vivid and clear and right in our face, but that doesn’t mean it’s nearby or accessible.

If you’re seeking to get things done, looking for the attainable but hidden opportunities is a productive strategy.

On the other hand, if you’re a leader, seeking to inspire, it helps to focus on an iconic goal, one that’s always present, right over there.

Hmmm. An iconic goal. Right over there. Where?

February made me shiver with every paper I'd deliver (Don McLean)

During February this year (a leap year means it's 29 days before March) I've decided to embrace Austin Kleon's idea of a 29 day challenge.

My challenge is to say a sincere thank you each day to someone at school (my two campuses or elsewhere) who has added positively to my existence on planet Earth.

My first one was to thank Karen Boyes and Meg Gallagher for the daily inspiration they provide via a Facebook group that Meg created.

The second was to our brilliant Year 3 and 4 teacher who brings joy and, via some exceptional teaching, quality learning experiences to her students on a daily basis.

Will you be my third?


Austin's PDF is up top. Feel free to do your own 29 day challenge (and LMK how it goes huh).

Something so true Is what I get from you (The Black Seeds)

First day back at school after the summer break and already there is a great feeling on the campus!

I love my job.

At our staff briefing and during our first assembly, I used a quote today from Brené Brown: assume that everyone is doing the best they can.

I love this idea - so positive and so true.

I caught a fleeting glimpse out of the corner of my eye, I turned to look but it was gone (Pink Floyd)

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Life as a student is hard, man!

Our school had a crazily great genius idea last year: to start off this year with teachers becoming students for three days and attending a digital conference.

With assembly, lessons, study periods, angst of being late...the whole bowl of wax.

Yes, we've replicated the pressure, the digital confusion, the joy, the highs, the lows, the what-have-you-got-next? and what-do-we-need-for-class? conversations, in short - the difficulty of being students again, to a brilliant degree.

Funny watching staff reacting to this new state of affairs after 6 weeks holiday. Me included. Flash backs to Mt Albert Grammar have been a feature. And I've been exhausted doing that and trying to gear up for the real students' return next week, as well as interviewing for vacant positions. Phew!

Suffice to say we have new found respect and sympathy for our students who do this every day!

A great start to the year!

Rah rah rah be true to your school (Beach Boys)

What's that sound?

That's the sound of teachers in the southern hemisphere gearing up and thinking about the first few weeks of a new school year.

Here are some ideas to help with that courtesy of the Ditch That Texbook folk. You're welcome!

It's a new dawn people (Grace Slick at Woodstock)

Photo by 30daysreplay (PR & Marketing) on Unsplash

It's a new year! New starts!

Yes, that also means it's goal setting time for Mandy, me, and the rest of the blogoshere!

It can't be avoided - discussion on Facebook on whether to have new year resolutions or not doesn't help and pretty soon we'll be back at school leading students in the art of setting goals for their year.

But before we start on that proud tradition - some cautionary words from Dan Rockwell to reflect upon:

Some limitations of goals-only thinking:  

Goals restrict happiness. Goal-fever puts off happiness until goals are reached (adapted from, “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear)

Goal-driven leaders minimize difficulties and exaggerate opportunities. False optimism results in best-scenario-thinking.

Setting a goal is easy. Choosing the next best step is the challenge.

Goals are outside your control. But behaviors are within your control.

Yes, we should exercise some caution: students can become hugely invested in a big audacious goal - say, a pass rate figure for a year group. The potential pluses are obvious - collegiality and group strength/expectation can raise students up to higher levels of performance/achievement. The potential negatives are less obvious - what about the students who don't buy into the goal or who can't/won't reach the needed levels to meet the goal?

Worth thinking about as we approach goal setting season. 

I can see for miles and miles (The Who)

Photo by mostafa meraji on Unsplash

It's the start of the year and all teachers in the southern hemisphere start thinking about the year ahead of them in school (yes, they really do!)

Although this article by Christiaan Henny (9 things that will shape the future of education) is now four years old, it is still one of the best, most succinct pieces I've come across on the things that will shape the year ahead.