This conference is now over

On behalf of the Organising Committee of the Tasmanian Principals' Association I would like to thank all delegates for attending the 2008 Conference. I am sure that everyone will agree that the presentations were first class, and we acknowledge the contribution of Dr Peter Hill.

As promised the questions raised during Dr Hill's presentation are now on the website. Please see below.

Also here are a few of my own reflections on the conference: Drawing the threads together.

Thank you to everyone who attended.

Judith Fahey
Convenor

Dr Geoff Master's Presentation

Download Presentation (2mb)

Dr Peter Hill's Presentations

Download Part 1

Download Part 2

Questions from Dr Peter Hill's Session (updated 25/8/08)

How do we build a productive / positive feedback culture with adults?
Instructional leadership is as vital in small schools as in other size schools. What support can Principals in small schools be given to share their roles and responsibilities in order to focus on their role as an instructional leader?
formative Assessment - if this is to be effective (daily) leading to feedback - are there known ways of making this efficient and practical for teachers? (not just checklists).
How do you assist teachers to move from "assuming" they know their students to REALLY knowing (precision / formative assist)?
Can we know more about the "4 missing components"
We agree with the philosphy but is it practically possible?
Do these "principles of learning" adequately cater for the creative side of learning
How do we encourage / support staff in learning how to match challenge / learning alignment
Is the focus on data and outcomes making school more boring?
What are 2-3 pieces of advice you would give, to maintain relationships with students, but continue to challenge their learning
How do we embed these principles into the everyday life of the teacher?
Can data be considered good if it is not written down?
School structures - do they support or impede our capacity to really personalise student learning and provide precise and accurate feedback?
Statement - Schools work within a culture of collaborative isolation
Question - how do we develop a culture of collaborative practice, feedback and observation?
If "breakthrough" teaching is working - what does it look like?
How do we provide timely feedback to students on a daily bais? (Secondary/Primary)
What is good feedback?
Our group believe that strategic resourcing weighted at .34 should have been ranked higher. Surely it is an essential "enabler" for all other specific actions and effec ts. Please drill deeper for us.
Neuroscience - you mentioned it will be important in the FUTURE. We think the FUTURE is now. Please elaborate. We value your response.
Which schools have made best moves away from the "black box" approach to learning? (Local and nationally)
How can you help us balance the instructional leadership role with the immediacy of other priorities?
How do we free up principals to concentrate on the teaching and the learning stuff?
How do we create the space better? "Space" in terms of principal's time, professional learning time, time in class for students.
How important IS your personality - personal attributes?
Learnign time - how can we provide greater flexibility?
What is the current "status" of technologies in regard to providing feedback?
Of the four components of breakthrough - are there any of more weight (prioritise)
What mechanism / structure / tools are needed to support specialist teachers in giving feedback when they "teach" over 60+ students?
In reference to the .84 correlation of principal involvement, how do we get that translated into Government policy? (We recognise there is an example in the raising the bar / closing the gap).
How can we continue the DOE that principals should be "instructional leaders" and be provided with the financial and human resources to do so? i.e. to "free up" principals?
EFFORT - how do we, as principals, cultivate a cultural shift from an emphasis on ability to effort?

Conference Committee

Judy Fahey	Convener	Burnie High School
David Raw	Committee Member	Yolla District High School
Leanne Raw	Committee Member	Upper Burnie Primary School
Mike Brakey	Committee Member	Hellyer College
Deb Hutton	Committee Member	Cooee Primary School
Bruce Cameron	Committee Member	Burnie Primary School
Stephanie Templeton	Committee Member	Yolla District High School

Last updated:
Thursday 09 Oct 2008

Countdown to conference
Days	Hrs	Mins	Secs
0	0	0	0