Brian's Blog

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, it is essential to create an environment where both staff and students are inspired to flourish and develop their thinking skills. In this week's post, I will explore the essential elements of leadership required to support a culture that nurtures innovation in areas such as deep learning, inquiry, differentiation, personalised learning and character development. Over the last week, I have had the opportunity to work with some outstanding educators from my team discussing the finer points of our curriculum development and future directions. These educators, I hold in high regard as professionals and colleagues who stretch me as a leader as I look forward on the educational horizon.  Additionally, I had multiple times where other leaders enquired of me about my perspective on why I lead and operate in the manner in which I do. This line of questioning took me back to my why of education and leadership. It reinforced for me how critical it...

In today's rapidly changing world, it is essential that our students are equipped with the skills and mindset to thrive in complex and turbulent times. To achieve this, we must reimagine learning, including what is important to learn, how learning is fostered, where learning occurs, and how we measure outcomes. Fullan and Langworthy (2013), propose a transformative approach that provides meaning, purpose, and releases the full capacity of both students and educators called Deep Learning. Building Curiosity and Collaboration If you step into a deep learning classroom, you'll be immersed in an environment of voracious curiosity. Students are encouraged to ask questions of each other, teachers, families, and experts from the community or even around the globe. They are engaged in solving problems and investigating ideas, students are actively making sense of the world around them (Fullan & Langworthy, 2013). There is a constant buzz of conversation, with students articulating ...

Today’s post has been delayed as many of us in Australia have been enjoying an extra day of our weekend celebrating the King’s Birthday. My hope in this post is to explore how reflection and collaborative practices can be leveraged to establish a culture of trust within educational organisations, leading to enhanced student outcomes. In the ever-evolving field of education, the need for a culture of trust has become increasingly recognised as a catalyst for growth and improvement. When teachers and leaders trust one another, it creates an environment where collaboration, reflection, and continuous learning can flourish.  Reflection: Embracing Failure and Iteration Reflection plays a crucial role in professional growth and development. It allows educators to process setbacks, view them as learning opportunities, and move forward with resilience and determination. By reframing failures as stepping stones on the path to success, we as teachers can recover quickly, iterate their approa...

  The human brain, a fascinating and intricate organ, holds the key to our ability to learn, remember, and think critically. Composed of interconnected nerve cells and synapses, it forms a vast network where learning takes place. Each connection between nerve cells, known as synapses, strengthens the bond between them. The brain constantly evolves and forms new connections, a phenomenon called neuroplasticity. This remarkable adaptability enables us to learn and acquire new knowledge continuously. Every time we learn something new, the brain forges fresh connections between nerve cells, expanding its capacity for growth. Learning dispositions, both positive and negative, play a vital role in shaping the brain's ability to learn. Certain dispositions facilitate effective learning. Curiosity, the thirst for knowledge and understanding, propels us to explore and seek answers. Openness to new experiences broadens our horizons and allows us to embrace diverse perspectives. A willingness...