Over the last week staff from across our Kāhui Ako have attended two different PD sessions: one with Greg Jansen from Leadership Lab, and one run by Ben Laybourn from Evaluation Associates.
In the session with senior and middle leaders, Greg talked about the difference between management and leadership and about the importance of being both on the "dance floor" (in amongst the action), but also "on the balcony" (able to have an overview of what is going on over a wider area). He provoked the attendees to identify both the strengths they believe they have but how those might contrast with strengths others believe they have, and how, in some instances, you might have to tone down some strengths and play to others in order to be more successful. The attendees took a lot from the session and have opted to extend the follow up session on the 28th July from a half day to a full day PD. Many thanks to St Teresa's for hosting this event.
Ben Laybourn ran the third in a series of Agentic and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy sessions at St Catherine's College this week. The session focused on student agency and explored what this means in culturally sustaining practices. They discussed how students can own and make decisions in their learning that are meaningful and build their capacity as learners in their cultural identity. There was specific reference to and dissemination of Ka Hikitia – Ka Hāpaitia and Tapasa. They connected these with pedagogy and practices that make a difference for Māori and Pasifika students, and the Assessment for Learning teacher and learner capability archway, exploring what this looks like the the attendees practice, and how to lead this in their teams. There was be a focus on leadership and how to help implement this thinking and ways of being in the various kura.
We look forward to seeing more from both Greg and Ben at our Midwinter Hui on 8th July.
