Volume 12 Issue 1

Of the many educational outcomes to be achieved in the primary years of schooling, research demonstrates that learning to read is the most significant. The precise way in which the complex processes combine must be understood and demonstrated by teachers in order to identify their students’ needs and to teach most effectively. The activities initiated at Hilliard Christian School to enhance achievement of this goal are shared here to support others with the same aim.

This dual authored book brings together the expertise and experience of educators Sharratt and Planche. Their work contains both theory and practical suggestions for school leaders who wish to maximise learning through creating a collaborative learning culture in their school. The authors recognise that plans and good intentions may not always lead to action and propose a logical and achievable pathway towards purposeful practice.

How can a school create a learning space that provides a retreat from the regular classroom and provides an environment where children can connect with learning and with God?

I never, ever, thought I’d be that teacher—the

one you hear screaming at the kids in their class

from half a mile away—until I became one.

I’m not a shouter. At least I wasn’t a shouter

until, after over 20 years teaching in high

schools, I began working as a specialist art

teacher in a primary school.

How did I move from good behavioural

management strategies and a working pedagogy

in the high school art room to bored, noncompliant

behaviour in the primary school? How

did I find my way back from hating art classes as

much as the kids did to an environment where

we all are engaged, look forward to and love

what we do?

This article discusses the leadership crisis

looming in schools. With fewer people aspiring

to take on school leadership, school education

systems must consider the drivers and barriers

of school leadership aspiration. This article

describes the perceptions of respondents

from three hierarchical levels within a faithbased

education system as to the factors

influencing their willingness or unwillingness

to consider school leadership positions. This

research explored survey data, both quantitative

and qualitative, relating to school leadership

aspirations and influences with regard to

applying for school leadership positions.

Five factors were found to influence the

unwillingness of respondents to consider school

leadership positions, while seven factors were

identified to influence willingness to consider

school leadership positions. Additionally,

four influence factors were identified which, if

significantly improved, would act to increase

respondent aspiration and thus influence their

willingness to consider school leadership

positions in the future.