Schools as Centres
When it comes to the issue of “schools as centres” I don’t know of a better quote than that provided by Margot Welch when talking about the schools-as-centres model as:
“…a proactive response to our new understanding about what all children need. We can no longer separate the child at school from the child after school and from the child at home. The well-being of the whole child is tied to the well-being of the whole community.”
What a quote. Or try this simpler version:
“It takes a whole village to raise a child.”
More information about this important concept of Schools as Centres and how it relates to the work of Great Schools Australia.
Finding Common Ground in Schools and School Districts
In an earlier post, we referred to the idea of finding common ground amongst school and school district communities -– and the concern that this can cause leaders who cannot guarantee what other stakeholders (eg staff, parents and students) will say.
Here is what one lot of case studies found were commonly the common ground areas in school districts:
- Student-centred curriculum
- Meeting the needs of all children
- School community partnerships
- Abundant resources
- Technology — expansion and integration
- High-quality staff
- Safe schools
- Readiness to learn — access to early childhood education
In our experience, similar issues also form the focus of common ground at the school level, although we would add in Faith/Values for those schools who have a focus on same.
It may seem strange, but when other stakeholders are engaged in the appropriate manner, people put aside their own individual prejudices and concerns and arrive at common ground which is readily agreed by school and school district leadership.
School Parent Partnerships
I remember in the late 1990s being the President of the Parents & Friends Association at St Anthony’s Marsfield (in Sydney) and hearing all the talk about School Parent Partnerships.
At the time, St Anthony’s had a wonderful school community and the school parents were heavily involved in fundraising, tuckshop, education support, and other activities.
But I always thought, There must be a greater role that the parents can have in the actual decision-making within the school. After all, the answers to the education and development of our children is something that lies not just with the school executive but also the staff, parents and, subject to their age, the children themselves.
At the time, I had not discovered the approach called Future Search, which enables this to happen through a large group meeting or conference of what is called the ‘whole system’, ie a cross section of both relevant stakeholder groups and demographics.
OK, I have to confess a possible bias here — the Future Search approach is the main product of GSA.
But I can honestly say that I don’t know of a better approach.
That’s why a Sydney-based secondary school district professional called it “excellent”, a Sydney-based school principal described it as “outstanding”; a University CEO called it ‘”fantastic”, and a US-based primary school principal called it “powerful”.
In referring to 16 case studies on the use of the approach in North America, global education expert, Professor Michael Fullan used the words “exciting and inspiring”.
Like all interventions, there needs to be some starting point or need within the school. This can include any systemic issue including
- school cultural reform
- school strategic planning
- implementing an existing strategic plan
- change in your school
- school teaching and learning
- creating a school vision
- creating a healthy school, and
- building school community
In the meantime, here’s how to find out more about this approach.
Welcome to the Great Schools Australia Blog
It is with great pleasure that I make this first post on what will become a valuable resource for school leaders, teachers and parents.
Consistent with our purpose, the aim of this blog is to:
“Enhance the quality of lives of the children and youth of Australia through creating great schools.”
On a personal note, what has driven me to create Great Schools Australia is my love of our children and our country. The main work of GSA is based on an approach called Future Search, and for those ready for it, I honestly don’t know of a better way to effect change in any organisation or community (including schools and school districts).
Over time we hope to bring you great tips, tools and strategies on school culture, school change, school communities, school strategic planning, school meetings and more.
If you would like to receive ongoing posts from this blog, subscribe to our feed.
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School Parents
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Case Studies
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Testimonials
“I can now honestly say that I have never seen such an approach produce such positive outcomes, goodwill and energy.”
– Deidre Anderson, CEO, U@MQ, Macquarie University
“An exciting and inspiring approach to tackling deeper systems transformation.”
– Professor Michael Fullan
“The Future Search conference encouraged me to take risks. When I heard about TIMMS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study), I went back to my colleagues and said, “I think we can do something with this. We finished 1st in Science and 6th in Maths.”
– Pat Franzen, Science Teacher, Naperville Community School District
“These exemplary principles for facilitating group process have helped us create the space where individuals can take responsibility for their own learning and act upon the decisions they make.”
– Deborah B Reeve EdD, Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Elementary School Principals
"The average scores for youth apprenticeship students went up 200 points on the Statewide standardised tests and enrolments increased by 300%. Today there is a waiting list!"
– Mike Erwin, Principal, North Montgomery County Technical Career School
“I was very impressed with the Future Search approach and have used aspects of it in my own school.”
– Richard Morgan, Principal, The Pittwater House Schools