Final photo in Oz

Just before I left Sydney Airport. I will explain later.

Text Madness

The texts have been flying. It is such a great way of communicating and letting people know my status and latest flight details. Some of the flights to Dublin have been delayed but mine is still on schedule. Fingers crossed.

367

This is my 367th blog entry since the start of the year. I can relax now as I have passed out 365!

Melbourne/Sydney/Bangkok/Heathrow/Dublin

The flight to Sydney was with Qantas. Food was free which made for a change. They gave us recycling bags for our paper but we still had to give them our cans and cups etc. Did not make sense as the bag was as big as a doughnut bag and the plastic wrapper and serviette were tiny by comparison.. They served marshmallow in the drinking chocolate which is a real Aussie custom. Four hours wait in Sydney. Then the flight was delayed almost an hour. The crew were delayed on another flight-Dejavu last January when the flight crew for my Etihad flight had to rest because they detoured to Shannon. By the time we got to Bangkok we had made up half the time and only had about an hour for turnover, Quick shop in Duty Free and then on our way. Flight arrived at 6.20 in Heathrow. Then 11.20 to Dublin.

I am updating this as I wait but it all looks good.

The Hilton

Thursday 23rd: Breakfast at the Hilton was sumptuous and it was nice being within spitting distance from the airport. I was able to bring my trolley from the airport to the hotel and even into the hotel room. That was a first for me. (see photo). CNN say that Heathrow is open and no snow due in the next few days. Looking good. Checked in at 11.30. Huge queues due to delays and also Christmas rush. Met a chappie from Laois on the check-in. No charge for being 4KGs over. Sometimes it is good to being Irish! Very little sign of Christmas in terms of lights and decorations. Even the TV has only become like home in the last week.

Last Day

Wednesday 22nd: Got up at 6.40 as I still had a few jobs to do. Got them all done in the nick of time. Gave keys to Laura and Alan (neighbour) dropped me off at the station. He came back to say goodbye which was just as well, I had inadvertently taken keys with me. No idea how it happened but Alan took them back for. Met a friend from St Joseph’s Choir and enjoyed her company for the journey to Melbourne. Just my luck, the sun was splitting the rocks. Got off at Footscray and Matt and Cheryl collected me. They do not leave until the 7th Jan and it was great being able to crash at their place for the day. They also cooked a lovely dinner for me and then dropped me to the airport. It was a strange feeling saying goodbye to them but it was great also to have no more decisions to make or jobs to do. Just get on that flight.

Well nearly. Got to the airport at nine for a midnight flight. Terminating still in Hong King. No flight on to Heathrow so they re-route me to Sydney! The next day. Then to Bangkok and on to Heathrow and finally Dublin. The good news is that all going well I will get home Christmas Eve. Only one day lost.

Feeling Final

Tuesday Dec. 21st: could not collect car until 10.30 then out to school until 1.30. Got all I wanted done except packing of papers and books to be posted home. Brought them back to house. Lunch in RSL with Marg. Lovely view of Lady Bay. Posted one box and tube –over $70 , hair cut, clothes to Vinnies. Returned DVD, collected dry cleaning… Met some people that I knew and said goodbye. Getting final now. Then spent the rest of the night until 2.00 am cleaning and washing and a little packing. Also emailed article to CEO. Undated blog.

Termination in Hong Kong

I have just found out that my flight will terminate in Hong Kong. No guarantee that it will continue to Heathrow. Then I hear that short flight have been suspended from Heathrow so I may not be home for Christmas. I got delayed in January and April, I hope it is not third time unlucky.

One More Sleep

Just one more and then I head off to Melbourne tomorrow morning. House and school are sorted. Just a few small jobs tomorrow and then Alan, my neighbour drops me to the 11.22 a.m. train. I will be staying with Matt and Cheryl for the day and they will drop me to the airport.

Catholic Education Office

I have observed first hand the great work being done in the Ballarat Diocese by CEO Ballarat. It has been difficult for me to comprehend the level of support that CEO give their schools. There are 61 people working to support 63 Primary and secondary schools. Eat your heart out Eileen. In the Melbourne Diocese there are hundreds of them working in a building the size of BusÁrus. The CEO support:

Teaching and learning

Spiritual and moral wellbeing

Special Ed

Building projects

Distribution and overseeing of expenditure etc.

The list is endless.



There is someone at the end of a phone to help with anything school related. Not just the ‘Cuddling Consultant’ but finance management, psychology, literacy, numeracy, planning, professional development etc. For example, this year we were reviewing the teaching of Maths and someone from the CEO came to our school once a fortnight for the whole day, which included meetings after school. All day, once a fortnight, for the whole year. They wanted to come back next year but we will be getting similar ICT support so I had to reduce the maths support to twice a term! State and Federal funding is channelled through the CEO. The State of Victoria and the Federal Government of Australia save so much work by having an organization that just does not distribute and support but also sees that all monies are well spent. This was particularly evident in the Building the Education Revolution (BER) when 14.7 billion dollars were distributed to support new buildings in every primary school in Australia. The monies channelled through the CEO produced great value for money whereas those channelled through the state Depts. of Ed did not fare so well. It must be a great source of comfort to Governments to know that it has the assistance of an organization that is literally responsible to a greater God!

Wish we had these.

I expect (and look forward to) quite a few visits from Aussie principals and teachers in the next few years. Below are some of the reasons why:

Long service leave: After 10 years of service, All teachers in both State and Catholic schools, get 13 weeks paid leave. That is three whole months! You can build it up. I know of a school employee who never cashed any in and is taking 32 weeks next year. It is for all public servants and a throwback to colonial times when they used LSL to entice civil servants from the mother country to work in Australia. They can take this in a variety of ways, including pay in lieu. For example, if they wanted to spend six weeks on a round the world trip, they could take payment in lieu of seven weeks and use that money to fund the trip.

Enrichment leave: Only in the Catholic System and only for Principals, every eight years s/he gets 10 weeks paid leave to do some approved study that will be personally enriching. Otherwise known as a ‘junket’!

Sabbatical Leave: Teachers can accept 80% of their salaries for four years and get a paid leave sabbatical for the fifth year. There are good tax breaks associated with this.

Study leave: Like enrichment leave. For example there is a group of twelve principals from this Diocese going to England and Scotland in June next year. They visit schools and write a report. All funded by the Catholic Education Office (CEO).

The last ...

Left the school for the last time today and filled the car with petrol for the last time. For the past two weeks it has been hard to take all these 'lasts' in as I was so busy. I suppose when the dust settles I will be able to reflect more but it has been a wonderful experience. When I look back on 2010 it will be in neon lights. Apart from nearly killing Mark's grass there has hardly been a negative all year. That was an expensive negative but I was lucky because it could have been a lot, lot more expensive. I have met some wonderful people and can look forward to heaps of backpackers arriving at my door for years to come. With Long Service Leave and other forms of leave I look forward also to an Irish visit from many adult friends in years to come.

Australian snow

I know that this is hard to believe but there was snow in the Victorian Alps today! Not enough to ski but enough to build a snowman.

Second last day.

Heading off now to pick up the car then out to the school for the last handover stuff. The I have heaps to do around Warrnambool. It is great in some ways being so busy but I would like also to be able to smell the roses more and to have more certainty about my flight home.

Oh snow!

Back in April it was 'Volcan-no'. In January my flight out here was delayed by 20 hours. Not looking good especially as i have to fly to Heathrow. I have already received an invitation to Christmas dinner here. I hope that it does not come to that.

Simon etc.

I haven’t forgotten about the cloud and there is a huge initiative called Ultranet here which stared in the state schools this year. It is one massive cloud but very much a ‘Big Brother Cloud’! Teachers write their notes on it and the parents can look up attendance, results and other records. No time for greater detail but it will feature hugely in my report.
On a smaller scale the Catholic schools have a smaller cloud called ‘SIMON’ where it is mainly used at a local level for staff messages and internal communications. I used it a lot this year. It saved a lot memos and I was able to set up a link for staff meeting agendae. It was left up until two days before the fortnightly (!) meetings and could be added to by any member of staff. Very handy.
The Catholic schools are designing their Ultranet at the moment called ICON which will be partly running next year. I have requested that they allow international members as it would be a great vehicle for the sharing of ideas and resources. (I am hoping that they will not charge me, as it is expensive). I wish I had more time! One more day and the following morning I start my odyssey home. Trying to get in as many of these before I go.

Lunch Orders

The kids in St Pat’s were able to order in lunch each day. Marg the business manager collected the orders in the mornings and one of the parents brought them to a milk bar (café) down town. Another parent collected them before lunch time and brought them to school.

Tony and Sandra's Story

We met at Anthony Dowling's last night. They are in their late fifties or sixties. They had been to Ireland three times and knew all the songs on Anthony's dvds. They had even climbed Eirigal and Croagh Patrick. As I had climbed Croagh patrick just before I left and found the last stretch a bitch, I was impressed. They even knew that the theatre the Dubliners were singing in was the Olympia and were able to name pubs in our major cities. Oh and for their next trick, sorry trip, they were heading in two days to Antarctica for nine days. I would say it was for more than fulfilling a certain Bing Crosby's dream.

Last meal invite.

Last night I was invited to Anthony Dowling's (ancestors from Kerry). He is the retired principal from the State school in Koroit and we had worked together on the Irish Festival. He was one of the organisers and our school did 'Johnny Will You Marry Me?' and the Tommy K dance. His house in on five acres on the outskirts of Koroit. He invited neighbours Tony and Sandra Downs (ancestors from Clare and the home countries). The steak was their own and he and Pamela served up a lovely meal. Anthony had DVDs of Irish music by all the usual suspects and we all sang 'Dirty Old Town' 'The Fields of Athenry' and 'Grace' together. It was surreal to think that I was still in Australia but would be home before the week was out.

Anthony is a Collingwood fan and his office is a shrine to 'The Pies'. We even watched parts of the Grand Final Replay again where his seats were so good that we could pick him out of the crowd.

Working Bees

We had one each term. All families are expected to volunteer once in the year. They do stuff like gardening, weeding, washing of windows repairs, moving into new classrooms, cleaning, lining bb courts etc. It was for two hours on a Saturday morning. Because we ran out of money during the building project, parents this year volunteered to do concreting, roofing and cabinet making. We paid for the materials and they gave of their time for free. Volunteerism is huge here. It is done for clubs and societies also. It is more common in Catholic and other 'private' schools than State schools.

Staff Allocation

Probably the most difficult part of my job, this year, which included standing in front of a class for the first time in eleven years, a building project, solar and rainwater harvesting project. Communion and Confirmation choirs, land purchase, job-sharing issues and two alleged assaults. I started about five months ago and finished about two months ago for the teachers and only last week for the auxiliary staff. The main issue for me was that the salaries are paid by the school and there are many sources:

Column A: Professional Teaching Staff
Column B: Teacher/Teacher Aid/Library staff
Column C: Admin Staff
Column W: Wellbeing funding
Column S: Discretionary funding
LNSLN: Special Ed
SIP: I forget!
GRG: General recurrent grant
OTHER:

We had a large class leave as well as pupils who left during the year. This along with a small number of enrolments for next year meant that there was a% reduction in all the funding.

This Year Next Year

Column A: 7.75 7.06
LNSLN: 0.43 Reduced
SIP: 0.24 Reduced
GRG: 0.27 Reduced
OTHER: 0.08 Reduced
TOTAL: 8.77 ?


Looking at Column A which is the main teacher allocation there was a reduction of 0.70
This year we had 6 Mainstream Teachers and 4 part-time teachers: so I was left with a choice of going to five teachers with a lot of ancillary support or staying with six and having very little ancillary support. Both required reductions. Both impacted on two temporary teachers.. There was also a % reduction in other areas. So plenty of goalposts and they were all moving. So I went with five and a half teachers and the plan was to have a sixth in the mornings for literacy and numeracy and five in the afternoons for the rest. I had almost weekly consultation meetings with all staff. It was very hard trying to make sense of the fractions and percentages. Some of the money can be spent on salaries or resources or SNAs. I was then left with the job of telling a teacher that there would be no job for her next year. Because of the consultation meetings they were all aware of the situation but it did not make it any easier. Going for five and a half meant that I saved 0.40 on a part time mainstream teacher and was left to make up the other 0.30 from the rest of the Special Ed and teacher release time cover. Most of the part-time teachers had hours reduced. At least at home things are more cut and dry. You can give out about not having the numbers or having to wait another year for a teacher but it is outside your control. The same with SNAs-you can blame the SENO! Here the choice is mine I had to decide to have smaller numbers in classes at the cost of Classroom Assistant support. I also had to look at the posts of responsibilities and there was a danger of having to reduce them as the finances dictated. During this time I had daily meetings with the teachers concerned and weekly consultation meetings. Hugely time consuming, as were the daily complex emails to Mark to make sure I was not creating a mess for him when he came back. I also had to make phone calls to the ‘Cuddling Consultant’ and other principals, to tease out things that were unclear in the emails. AS well as teaching positions I also had to find funding for the secretary as the fund that paid her was also reduced. The caretaker was going on 32 weeks long-service leave so I found the extra money there! The funding for Special Ed only came last week so that could not be sorted until then. Principals here like the system because it gives them great flexibility and allows for much creativity but it did my head in. Come back September returns, all is forgiven!

Parents' and Friends' Association

During the year our P&F raised $35,000 for St Patrick's which has just over 130 pupils. We were able to buy furniture to the value of $19,000, headphones, Edcube, a new PA system and 15 I-Pad touches. They held various fundraising events: raffles, sausage sizzle, Walkathon, but the most amazing amount raised was $14,000 through catering. We have a catering manager (Wendy)! She organises others on the committee and is in school at least one day per week. They do funerals mainly but also principals' meetings. The P&F earlier in the year, even catered for a function in Warrnambool ten miles away and raised $4,000 on one day. All this is voluntary.

Kermonds' Burgers

It has become quite a routine for me on Fridays after school to head to Mickey Bourke's pub in Koroit for a drink with the staff. We usually leave about five. On the way home I go to Kermonds, the best burgers in Australia. They have even made it to the worlds top ten, at number nine. if you don't believe me check out this link:

http://www.worldsgreatesthamburgers.com/

They are delicious. If you don't believe me check out this review:

Warrnambool is famous for three things: whaling, whale watching and Kermond’s hamburgers. And back in 1949 when Kermond’s first opened shop, you could legally indulge in all three at the same time.

Kermond’s is less a burger joint and more a Victorian cult icon. The sign on their retro wood-panelled wall says it all: “Customers purchasing hamburgers for re-heating should request cold buns.” Rumour has it that more than one Melbournite has made the three-and-a-half hour drive to the 'Bool’ just so they could stock up their freezer with Warrnambool’s finest. Maybe they just do things differently out there, or maybe Kermond’s pre-dates the introduction of leafy vegetables to Australia, but a standard ‘lot’ contains nothing green and no cheese. However a simple request for these little essentials will be cheerfully accommodated, resulting in a superlative example how a burger should be.

Thick, juicy, gently fried tomato is offset by a crunchy-edged patty with the onion cooked in. The egg is soft but not runny and the bacon is thoughtfully pre-cut for your convenience. Kermond’s is a must-visit for any hungry whale-watching burger fan.

http://www.burgerquest.com/burgers/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=13:burgers&id=65&Itemid=14

You can also check them out on Facebook.

Tom Jones

"Baby It's Cold Outside".

Handed in the car to get a scratch repaired this morning. Got the scratch the second week here in a car park. No idea who did it. Did not get it fixed until now as I was afraid of another one. It is about three inches long but deep so the whole wing has to be redone. Then the side door has to be done so that the colours will match. Reminds me of that story 'because of the stone the war was lost'. $500 and I had to ask for a favour to get it done this close to Christmas. Anyway I had to walk back from the garage and it was chilly. We have had wind and rain today. ...aaa and do you know the most annoying thing? everyone keeps going on about this time last year it was 40 degrees. Scream!

I was hoping to get to the beach but maybe it is just as well as the cleaning of the house and packing is taking much longer than I anticipated. I should be more or less finished today and then about four hours at school tomorrow and some last minute stuff around Warrnambool.

Danny Boy

I sang for the last time with St Joseph's Choir this morning. I said goodbye to Tony, Joe, Paul, Cat etc. I left them some JMT hymns and sang 'The Pilgrim Alleluia ' and also left them a copy of that. They are going to sing it on St Patrick's Day. If you have been following the blog, you might remember that I was amazed, when I came first and was in the congregation, that they sang 'Bring Him Home' after the recessional hymn. Well today, they bid goodbye to me over the mike before the recessional hymn and after they sang 'Danny Boy' as people were leaving the church. I was touched.

There is a fantastic energy in the choir and they do some lovely versions of hymns we know well, in particular 'Sweet Sacrament Divine'. They also drink sherry and eat cookies at the practices! How could you not take to them? Even though I was away for a good few weekends, that was never a problem. Happy memories.

Tina Turner

"I Can't Stand The Rain Against My Window".

This is ridiculous!

11 degrees and rain. The summer started on December the 1st and so far there has only been a handful of really fine days in Spring and Summer. I brought a bottle of sunscreen with me from Ireland and I have not used it all. Who would have thought?

LOST

Just finished watching the last episode of 'Lost'-it has made me a little homesick. I need to get off this island and get home. Henna Video has all the TV series and I have mainly watched the likes of 'Lost', 'Rome', 'Californication' even 'Glee'. So hard to get good movies nowadays. I will miss Henna Video.

Late night knock.

I was working very late last night in school and a knock came on the door. It was Gerald Auld husband of Jenny who works in St Pat's. They had missed the goodbye night as their son was having an operation so he invited me for "tea"-what we would call dinner. Earlier today I did loads of cleaning and packing, so it was nice not to have to cook or shop. It was great to be able to have the chat also and reminisce. So much of the positives of the year are about the people I have met and I do hope that we will meet again.

No Bottle Bank

I had been gathering bottles for quite some time and went to bring them to the Bottle Bank today. Called in to Alan my neighbour and he tells me that there are none. You put them in the recycling bin, along with cans. Well O never!

The Eurythmics

'Here Comes The Rain Again'

Warrnambool and the National Song

Waltzing Matilda - The Story Begins at Warrnambool Races

Christina Macpherson was at Warrnambool's Annual Steeplechase Race Meeting in April 1894 when she heard the Warrnambool Town Band play the traditional Scottish tune, Thou Bonnie Wood of Craigie-Lea.

Christina memorised the tune and played it to Andrew B. (Banjo) Paterson at Dagworth Station in Queensland in 1895. Banjo Paterson, inspired by a local event, wrote some words to match the tune and the Australian National Song, Waltzing Matilda, was born. Christina's original 1895 manuscript of the music is held in National Archives Canberra. Pity it is not here, I would definitely go down for a gawk.

Toss Your Boss

Language: A while ago in school someone asked if I wanted to take part in a competition being run on the local radio station. If you have been following the blog you know that I got into trouble early on for giving someone permission to ‘root’ in my presses. You will also know that a ‘sub teacher’ is referred to here as a ‘casual relief teacher’. Anyway this competition was called: “Toss Your Boss!” I wanted to say:

“…and who will do it, the casual relief teacher?!”

But I hadn’t the guts, I chickened out. If you win the competition you get to throw your boss (as in toss) from an aeroplane or I think that he gets to skydive, but let’s not go there.

Finished!

It is very late on Friday night, my last school day and I have just finished all sixteen pages of the Annual Report to the School Community. It outlines our aims for last year, how they were achieved and compliance authentication. It has taken me six weeks and between 30 and 40 hours. It now sits proudly beside the Annual Action Plan which outlined plans for next year. That was only eleven pages and took only about a third of the time. Don’t ever let me complain about the bureaucracy in Ireland.

I needed to share with the group. Thank you for listening.

What I was called.

Just after saying goodbye to Trev the school caretaker today, I was thinking of how he referred to me as 'The Irishman' if he was being formal with me and 'Irish' when he was being informal. Then I got to thinking about others and their names for me:
The Builder: Mad Irishman!
The Cuddling Consultant: My Little Leprauchan
Good friend: True Blue
Canadian Exchangees: Coyle-in
Pupils: Mr Squigs
Sophie Daly's mother: Legend
Fellow Principal: Digger

But my favourite of the lot was Marg, the school secretary. On numerous occasions I heard her answering the phone saying:
"Do you want to speak to 'The Lad'!"
I will miss her. She was a joy to work with.

Last day in school

We all met at lava café in Warrnambool @ 8.30 for breakfast. Some photos and then said goodbye to those who were not working today. Back to school then to tidy up. fr bill came over at twelve to rededicated memorial plaques that had been taken down as part of the building project. Big goodbyes with loads of hugs and wishes to meet again. They are a fine group and it was a privilege to work with them.
Stayed late to sort out handover stuff and to finish that darn Annual Report. It was like IKEA furniture-if I was to do one again I would do it in a fraction of the time! Said goodbye to the caretaker Trevor and thanked him for all his work during the year. He works hard. It was strange being alone in the school when all had gone home. Just as well I am too busy to have time for reflection. It will be mad between now and getting on the plane, but that may not be a bad thing.

Does not feel like Christmas

Last night at Proudfoots there were many groups having a Christmas party. I struggled to find Christmas decoration up and eventually saw a small amount of tinsel on a few poles. No one had Santa hats or any other Christmas clothing. The town has some small decorations on some of the roundabouts and few house are lit up with Christmas lights. The advertising on the media is very low key. It just does not feel like Christmas.

Staff Farewell

Staff finished the numeracy interviews today but I did not get the Annual Action Plan finished. Thought that I was nearly finished when I discovered that I had omitted all the compliance sections. Went for goodbye lunch with Michelle, the principal of the state school, in Mickey Bourkes. She has just one a prize of $10,000 for high performance principals. She gets to spend it on a study visit. Chances are she will end up in Ireland. It will be nice to meet up again. We got on well and I enjoyed our coffees and chats.

The staff of St Pats went to Proudfoots for a lovely meal. After the meal they said goodbye to Sharyn and me. They gave me a lovely painting of Tower Hill that Leisa, one of the teachers had painted. I had a tea coaster with the Irish Blessing for them. Nice word spoken all around. All the spouses were there and sound people all. I had genuine feelings of sadness but all married with a wish to go home. It has been great but home is home.

Annual Action Plan

Here is another animal of a report due. It outlines plans for next year:



School: ___________________________



(replace with your school logo)


2011
School Improvement
Annual Action Plan


Our Vision

(Sample)

As a Catholic Christian community, we will support the children as they learn together, responding to the Gospel in their daily lives and exploring their emerging role in Australian society.






Date:


Principal:

With the support of the Educational Consultant: Plan Design and Endorsement

____ / ____ / 20 ___


_________________________


_________________________
Review and Accountability

____ / ____ / 20 ___


_________________________


_________________________


Key: Completed Actions Commenced, but needing further action



Key Aspect of Schooling:
Catholic School Culture - Operational Action

Components
• Context, Vision and Mission
• Catholic Life And Culture
• Outreach and Service
• Quality Relationships


Ongoing tasks include

 articulate policies and practices in light of vision and mission statements
 implement the Awakenings Religious Education Curriculum
 display religious symbols and icons
 provide opportunities for staff, student and parent spirituality
 provide support for parental involvement in the religious education of their children
 provide hospitality and welcome
 community service and social justice outreach programs
 involve the school on the life of the Diocese
 cyclically review all documentation










Documentation

bold = review/revise
italic = draft/ratify
(08) etc = date of last review
____________________

Vision Statement (VRQA) (08)
Mission Statement (VRQA) (06)
Awakenings (09)
Contextual Statement (VRQA) (07)
Democratic Principles (VRQA) (08)
Governance (VRQA) (08)
Parish (98)



Catholic School Culture - Strategic Action
Intended Improvement Outcome(s):
•

Components 
Context, Vision and Mission Outreach and Service
Catholic Life and Culture Quality Relationships


Strategies and Actions Key Performance Indicators When & By Whom
We will… We have… We are …




Targets and/or Evidence:
Consultant and Advisor Support:
Smart Goals:
Strategic & Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-based
Time-bound


Key Aspect of Schooling:
Learning and Teaching - Operational Action

Components
• Religious Education
• VELS Physical, Personal and Social Learning
• VELS Discipline-based Learning
• VELS Interdisciplinary Learning
• Pedagogy (Principles of Learning and Teaching)
• Assessment
• Reporting Student Achievement

Ongoing tasks include

 implement Awakenings & sacramental programme
 implement VELS and PoLT
 ensure range and appropriateness of teaching practices
 integrate the principles of pastoral care into teaching practice
 imbed integrated inquiry as a means of consolidating curriculum delivery
 implement and sustain ongoing assessment & reporting practices
 use data as a framework for intervention for individuals and cohorts
 analyse and respond to external test results
 use target setting to meet individual learning needs
 forge partnerships with other community organisations, to assist children with special needs
 cyclically review all documentation



Documentation

bold = review/revise
italic = draft/ratify
____________________


Assessment & Reporting (VRQA)
Camps And Excursions (VRQA)
Curriculum (VRQA)
Curriculum Plan (VRQA)
Curriculum Statements
Health & Physical Education
Interpersonal Development
Personal Learning
Civics and Citizenship
Religious Education
The Arts
English
LOTE
Humanities
Mathematics
Science
Communication
Design, Creativity & Technology
Information Communication Technology
Thinking Processes
Drug Education (ISDES)
Gifted And Talented
Homework
Integrated Curriculum
Integration
Learning And Teaching (VRQA)
Library
Literacy - CLaSS
Literacy - SELL
Numeracy - EMU
Program Implementation
Reading Recovery
Special Assistance/Education
Vocational Education
Work Programs


Learning and Teaching - Strategic Action
Intended Improvement Outcome(s):
•

Components  VELS: Interdisciplinary Learning
Religious Education Pedagogy (PoLT)
VELS: Physical, Personal and Social Learning Assessment
VELS: Discipline-based Learning Reporting Student Achievement

Strategies and Actions Key Performance Indicators When & By Whom
We will… We have… We are …




Targets and/or Evidence:
Consultant and Advisor Support:
Smart Goals:
Strategic & Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-based
Time-bound


Key Aspect of Schooling:
Student Well-being - Operational Action

Components
• Pastoral Care
• Student Connectedness
• Rights and Responsibilities
• Inclusive Practice

Ongoing tasks include

5 ensure structures and programs to facilitate the care, welfare and safety of students (primary prevention, early intervention, intervention and restoring relationships)
5 ensure welcome and hospitality
5 ensure structures and programs facilitating the care, welfare and safety of students (restorative justice and procedural fairness)
5 ensure risk management, safety and security
5 forge appropriate partnerships with community agencies
5 cultivate high expectations for students and staff
5 celebrate student achievement
5 ensure a well-ordered, managed and calm school climate
5 instill a sense of identity and pride in the school
5 foster quality relationships
5 provide effective support for students with special needs
5 conduct regular programme support group meetings
5 devise individual learning plans and integration submissions
5 provide assistance to families in crisis or need
5 regularly review student behaviour policies and procedures
5 appoint and support a Student Wellbeing Co-Ordinator
5 ensure display of NSSF and Values Posters
5 cyclically review all documentation
Documentation

bold = review/revise
italic = draft/ratify
____________________


Anaphylaxis Policy (VRQA)
Critical Incident (VRQA)
Discipline (VRQA)
Duty of Care (Supervision) (VRQA)
Electronic Mail & Internet (VRQA)
Emergency Management (VRQA)
Evacuation Plan (VRQA)
Extreme/Inclement Weather
Inclusive Practice
Head Lice
Lock Down & Containment (VRQA)
Medication & First Aid (VRQA)
National Safe Schools
Pastoral Care (VRQA)
School Uniform
Serious Offences (VRQA)
Student Representative Council
Student Wellbeing
Sun Smart


Student Well-being - Strategic Action
Intended Improvement Outcome(s):
•

Components 
Pastoral Care Rights and Responsibilities
Student Connectedness Inclusive Practice


Strategies and Actions Key Performance Indicators When & By Whom
We will… We have… We are …




Targets and/or Evidence:
Consultant and Advisor Support:
Smart Goals:
Strategic & Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-based
Time-bound



Key Aspect of Schooling:
Leadership & Management - Operational Action

Components
• Planning For Improvement
• Innovation, Development and Change
• Staff Management and Welfare
• Professional Learning
• Financial Management
• Use of Resources and Space
• ICT Resources
• Overall compliance with legislation and other requirements
• Local School Procedures and Regulations

Ongoing tasks include

5 Develop and implement
o four year School Improvement Plan
o annual action plans
5 employ and induct staff
5 provide staff with clear expectations and feedback
5 ensure all teaching staff are registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) and are RE accredited
5 ensure up to date staff records
5 provide opportunities for all staff for professional development
5 ensure legal compliance, including Commonwealth Educational Accountability Requirements for Schools
5 comply with all recommendations of the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)
5 work with the local school cluster
5 ensure appropriate Emergency Management procedures
5 develop and implement appropriate local policies and protocols
5 ensure adequate resources to support teaching and learning
5 maintain school plant and facilities
5 devise a capital development plan and ICT master plan
5 cyclically review all policies and other documentation







Documentation

bold = review/revise
italic = draft/ratify
____________________

Leadership
Consultative Committee
Discrimination and Harassment (VRQA)
Employment of Staff
Probity (VRQA)
Rehabilitation-Return to Work (VRQA)
Role And Responsibility Statements
Shared Leadership
Staff Appraisal
Staff Induction And Retention
Staff Handbook
Staff Professional Learning (VRQA)

Management
Annual Report Distribution (VRQA)
Assets Register
Budget Development And Review
Canteen
Capital Development (VRQA)
Class Structure/Organisation
Communication Statement (VRQA)
Essential Services (VRQA)
Grounds & Maintenance
Handling Complaints (VRQA)
Legal Issues (VRQA)
Occupational Health & Safety (VRQA)
Privacy
Register - Anaphylaxis (VRQA)
Register - VIT (VRQA)
Register - First Aid (VRQA)
Register - WWCC (VRQA)
Purchasing Priority Plan
School Board Development
School Closure (Staff In Service)
School Development Committee
School Fees
School Improvement & Review (VRQA)
Student Attendance (VRQA)
Student Enrolment (VRQA)
Visitors To The School (VRQA)


Leadership & Management - Strategic Action
Intended Improvement Outcome(s):
•

Components  Financial Management
Planning For Improvement Use Of Resources And Space
Innovation, Development And Change ICT Resources
Staff Management and Welfare
(Recruitment, Selection & Retention Of Staff) Overall compliance
Professional Learning Local School Procedures & Regulations

Strategies and Actions Key Performance Indicators When & By Whom
We will… We have… We are …




Targets and/or Evidence:
Consultant and Advisor Support:
Smart Goals:
Strategic & Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-based
Time-bound

Key Aspect of Schooling:
School Community - Operational Action

Components
• Parent Involvement
• School Board
• Partnerships with the Wider Community
• Reporting to the Community
• Environmental Stewardship
• School Marketing And Promotion

Ongoing tasks include

5 maintain regular and effective communication within the school community
o school newsletter
o school website
o parent information sessions
o parent/teacher conferences
5 update and distribute school handbook
5 maintain a adequate level of fundraising
5 maintain and strengthen our links with the parish community
5 support and maintain an effective and functional school board (school board development and board member induction programme)
5 support and maintain an effective and functional parents and friends
5 provide an annual report to the community
5 engage the school community in environmental stewardship
5 develop and distribute promotional resources and materials
5 involve the school in local celebrations and observances
5 cyclically review all documentation
Documentation

bold = review/revise
italic = draft/ratify
____________________


Catholic Schools Network/Cluster
Parent Education
Parent Handbook
Parent Participation
Parents And Friends
Promotion and Marketing
Public Relations
Reporting To The Community (VRQA)
School Board
Visitors To The School (VRQA)


School Community - Strategic Action
Intended Improvement Outcome(s):
•

Components 
Parent Involvement Reporting To The Community
School Board Environmental Stewardship
Partnerships With The Wider Community School Marketing And Promotion

Strategies and Actions Key Performance Indicators When & By Whom
We will… We have… We are …




Targets and/or Evidence:
Consultant and Advisor Support:
Smart Goals:
Strategic & Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Results-based
Time-bound





Operational Actions

Actions that need to be done, but don’t require a high degree of planning or accountability.

These actions are:

• routine
• obvious
• ongoing
• cyclical
• compliant
• predictable
• minor in nature (possibly)






Strategic Actions

Actions that respond to specific needs where the intended outcome is a key component to an identified area of school improvement.

These actions are:

• pivotal
• innovative
• scripted
• calculated
• staged
• deliberate
• intentional
• assessable

Annual Report to The School Community

Principals here have to fill in one of these at the end of each year. Thought that you might like a look:















St Patrick’s Primary School

Queen Street

Koroit

Registered School Number 445







ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY







Parish Priest: Fr Bill van de Camp

Principal: Cóilin Ó Coigligh M.Ed.

School Board: Alistair Mc Cosh



Website:

Email:

Telephone: 03 5565 8208



Signed by Principal …………………………………………



Name …………………………………………



Date …./…./…….

















School Overview



SCHOOL OVERVIEW

Include in this section a brief context statement that provides an overview of

· The key facts and statistics about the school

· What the school is trying to achieve for its students as identified in the School Improvement Plan and Annual Action Plan






























PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

In this section the Principal provides a summary of the key decisions, events and achievements of the school over the past year.


CANONICAL ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

A report or message from the Canonical Administrator that provides a summary of the key decisions, events and achievements of the school.


SCHOOL BOARD REPORT

A report from the Chairperson of the Board could be included in this section.


School Overview





















School Board Chairperson’s Report 2010-12-11



















Report from the Family Liaison Officer























Principal’s Report



























CATHOLIC SCHOOL CULTURE

Goals and Intended Outcomes

(Cut & paste goals and intended outcomes from the Annual Action plan)







Achievements

In this section schools should describe and/or illustrate their achievements in a manner appropriate to the school community



















Compliance Advice

#8 Activities related to the Catholicity of the school which ‘add value’ to the achievement and spiritual development of the students












LEARNING AND TEACHING

Goals and Intended Outcomes

(Cut & paste goals and intended outcomes from the Annual Action plan)







Achievements

In this section schools should describe and/or illustrate their achievements in a manner appropriate to the school community















Compliance Advice

#6 Proportion of Yrs 3 & 5 OR 7 & 9 students meeting national reading, writing, spelling and mathematical benchmarks

#7 Changes in national bench mark results from the previous year

#7 a) Student results AIM or NAPLAN Yrs 3 & 5 or 7 & 9

#7 b) Student results VCE, VET, VCAL

#8 Activities related to the additional curricular and extra-curricular activities which your school offers which ‘add value’ to the achievement and well being of students

#9 Parent, students and teacher satisfaction with the school















STUDENT WELLBEING

Goals and Intended Outcomes

(Cut & paste goals and intended outcomes from the Annual Action plan)







Achievements

In this section schools should describe and/or illustrate their achievements in a manner appropriate to the school community



















Compliance Advice

#5 Students attendance – the average attendance rate (percentage)

#8 Activities related to the additional curricular and extra-curricular activities which your school offers which ‘add value’ to the well being of your students

#9 Students satisfaction with the school








LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT

Goals and Intended Outcomes

(Cut & paste goals and intended outcomes from the Annual Action plan)







Achievements

In this section schools should describe and/or illustrate their achievements in a manner appropriate to the school community



















Compliance Advice

#1 Staff attendance - the average attendance rate per staff member

#2 Staff retention – the proportion of teaching staff retained in a program year from the previous year

#3 Teacher qualifications – a list of teachers’ qualifications

#4 Expenditure and teacher participation in professional learning

#9 Teacher satisfaction with the school

## Financial activities of the school















SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Goals and Intended Outcomes

(Cut & paste goals and intended outcomes from the Annual Action plan)







Achievements

In this section schools should describe and/or illustrate their achievements in a manner appropriate to the school community



















Compliance Advice

#8 Activities related to the additional curricular and extra-curricular activities that the school offers which ‘add value’ to the well being of the community

#9 Parent, student and teacher satisfaction with the school










FUTURE DIRECTIONS for the SCHOOL

(This section is optional)

Three schooldays left!

Numeracy Interviews today so I was not required. Hoped to get loads done on the Annual Report to The School Community but got everything else done except that. A good bit further on but it is so busy it is hard to get the time to get a good 'run' at it. Di 'The Cuddling Consultant' called to say goodbye and I got some more help from her. We then went for lunch with the local principals. More goodbyes and they got me a lovely print of a local lighthouse. I gave them a copy of the mass Liam Lawton wrote for Trim school (Mass For God's Children) and told them the story behind it. It was a nice connection with Trim as our pupils are singing on the CD.

Bernie Mc Hugh and Maree were down from Melbourne and came over to tea. More goodbyes and hopefully we will meet again in Ireland.

Numeracy Interviews

School finished for the kids yesterday. Today and tomorrow we are doing Numeracy interviews. Friday is a planning day and that is it until the 2nd of February. Then the first day back is a planning day followed by two days of Literacy interviews and then the kids come back. The teachers start the year with a full literacy and numeracy profile of every child. Great idea and one that will feature large in my report. (Self-directed Learning and The Prep Project are two others) I would love to design something similar for Irish schools and have booked someone to come to Ireland in January 2012 to do PD with us on numeracy interviews. Watch this space!

Supertramp

"It's Raining Again!"

Life's a beach!

We had a real sunny day today. 29 degrees and only a little wind. I headed to the beach at about five and put on the sunscreen, sat down and read my book. Bliss. The weather was hot and sunny in the first three months and very little after that. Last Friday it was raining and one of the kids asked me if I would come back to Australia. I told her 'no' as there was too much rain! One day last week we had over 100 mls in one day! The rain has destroyed a bumper harvest. Everyone is delighted after about twelve years of drought, everyone but me!

Last day for pupils

Today the pupils finished @ 3.30. No half days here. There was a constant stream of pupils and parents saying goodbye and many kind thoughts and lovely presents. As I said my goodbyes in each class I heard the words “Slán leat Mr Ó Coigligh” for the last time. I am blessed to have had such a wonderful opportunity.

The Grade Sixes had a special day planned. They took the bus to Warrnambool for breakfast at Mackers. the they went to the cinema, followed by crazy golf followed by lunch, playtime in the park and then back to school five minutes before home time. Nice way to finish up and it made the end special for them.

Christmas and end of year...

...a lethal combination. can you imagine how busy the end of year is normally in a school and then put that together with Christmas and you get some idea how busy things are. Combine that with two massive documents: The Annual Report to the School Community and the Annual Action Plan and you get a further idea. On top of that put the work associated with the hand back, the cleaning of the house, packing, posting boxes, goodbye meals and articles for magazines and you might now understand why I would gladly have got on that plane about a month ago. Of course the other man's grass is greener but it still has to be cut!

Yesterday we had our Christmas pageant followed by goodbye speeches. The school gave me presents of booklets with photos, accounts of the year and good wishes. I admitted that I was not surprised as one of the little preppies came up to me on yard duty last week and said:

"I finished my page for your surprise today!"

The P&F gave me a lovely hat (see photo) for yard duty in Ireland. many kind words were said and I thanked everyone for the enormous welcome I received from both the school and the community. I then invited 136 backpackers to visit me in Ireland sometime in the near future! We finished with the whole school doing the 'Tommy K' Dance. I have left a lot of saw Doctor's fans after me! Lovely community, lovely school and lovely kids.

Stayed late to finish the Annual Action Plan and chip away at the Annual Report to the School community. Shoved my head in the door at the end of year disco also. late home but loads done.

Tayto Sandwich

I had my last Tayto sandwich today and it was really tasty. I had been minding a bag for nearly two months. it's the simple things in life...

Teaching conditions in 1872

Childer's Cove

Today it was very windy, a little cloudy and some sunshine. Mark had told me about this cove around 25k east of Warrnambool and it was magnificent. There were structures like at the Twelve Apostles but they were a little smaller-more disciples that apostles! The cove was like something from a story book and I had the place to myself all afternoon. I only met five people in the space of about four hours but none of them stayed. I felt like Robinson Crusoe and regretted not knowing about this little gem of a place up to now. The wind was howling overhead but underneath all was calm. I put on what i thought was sunscreen with insect repellent but it turned out to be insect repellent with sunscreen! I got a little burned but not too bad. If this bad weather keeps up I will definitely go back there before I leave. I want some sun on my bones.

On the way I stopped at Murnanes-a cove named after an Irish family who came to the area in 1839 aboard the 'Earl Gray'. They were from Limerick and Tipperary, like many in the Koroit area.

End of Year Mass

That was this morning and I did the choir in Koroit church. It was our end of year mass, as distinct from a graduation mass. The teachers did the readings and Fr Bill said some nice words. Carmel, the DP organised the ceremony and the Preps presented the Grade Sixes with a present while the choir sang 'An Irish Blessing'. Carmel has organised all the masses and sacraments this year and they are always lovely ceremonies with the minimum of fuss. After communion I sang 'There is a Place' by Liam Lawton. It was very appropriate.

Then we all went back to the school hall for some refreshments, speeches and presentations. A nice idea was that all the parents who were leaving the school got a bottle of wine from the P&F. We finished with the Rock band singing 'The Bucket Song' by Kings of Leon and all the Grade Sixes singing 'Lean on Me'. Loads of people came up to say goodbye and to thank me. It was nice. I will miss it here, it was a home away from home but I am looking forward to going home also.

Cold and Wet

Went for a walk between the showers yesterday, down bu the beach. Normally it is a hive of activity as there is a lovely walkway by the coastline. I was walking for 30 minutes before I met anyone. It was only 14 degrees which is a winter temperature. It seldom goes below 10 in the winter so that have that in the middle of summer is unusual. Still, I have met plenty of people on that same walk in winter. On the drive home I understood better: the heavens opened all of a sudden. Oh for some sun.

Taizé Farewell

Sang at my last Taize tonight and we all went for a drink afterwards. Great bunch of people and I enjoyed learning some new songs as well as teaching them a few new ones. I am definitely going to start a new group when I return.

Breasts are bigger here!

I noticed almost immediately but forgot to blog it. Now that it is getting near going home time I decided to be brave, honest and upfront. It is most obvious when I have people over for meals. At home it would take three breasts to feed three people but here I can do it with two, and still have some left over. I am going to miss the bigger breasts!

2007 Revisited

Tonight I was invited to Howard and Di Looney's for a meal. They were the people that I 'surprised' by 'rocking up' on their doorstep my second week here. They were the only people in Warrnambool that I knew and I never told them that I was coming. Lovely people both and I am sure that we will catch up again, most likely in Ireland.

They invited a friend that I had met in 2007, Peter Kearney, from Carranballac P-9 in Melbourne. peter was the guy who introduced me to Richard Cranium and how to teach your dog to speak. When Gerry and I visited he kept us entertained with great ideas and stimulating conversation. we would have loved it if IPPN could have booked him for Conference. Di and Howard are semi-retired, they now do consultancy work, so the conversation all night was very challenging and stimulating. it helped, this time, that I know a lot of the jargon and references. I got an email in 2008 from Peter saying that he had lost the lovely Irish key-ring that we gave him and I took great pleasure in setting up the moment to give him another one. He was chuffed (see photo). It is the simple things in life...

Sheep Shearing

Was invited to dinner to Mark and Sandra Keane's. I had gone ferreting with them a few weeks back and they mentioned coming to shear a sheep. I had completely forgotten the shearing and thought that I could get out of it by pleading that I would destroy my good clothes. They were having none of it and produced jeans and a shirt and showed me where the toilets were! As I had promised myself in the beginning of this exchange that I would not say no (within reason) I duly changed.

I took photos before and after but in all honesty I cannot say that I did any more than a small bit in the middle. I was afraid that I would cut the poor creature and was relieved that I didn't.

Killarney to Belfast in ten minutes...

...without breaking the speed limit. About ten minutes from the school is a place called Killarney. We have kids from there who come to our school. It is a bit offputting as it is by the sea and has a lovely beach. Now ten minutes away by car, is the town of Port Fairy. From 1854 to 1887 this was called 'Belfast'. As Zig and Zag would say:
"It's a funny old rock-and-roll world!"

Kodak Moment 2

Sunday December 5th: After breakfast we headed to Penguin Point:


Then we made our way to 'Cheesworld' in nearby Allensford. It was recommended in all the guide books and local brochures. World famous cheese and all that. I was expecting about fifty acres of a theme park or at least a factory tour. What we got was about fifty square feet of a shop selling cheese. It did have cheese tasting every two hours or so. I was beside myself! Its only redeeming feature was that it had the best milkshakes for fifty miles (at least). All served in lovely aluminum glasses, if you know what I mean!
We shook hands and said our goodbyes, but not the real goodbyes, as I do hope to see them before I leave.

Kodak Moment 1

Saturday December 4th: Got the early morning train to Warrnambool. Matt, Cheryl and kids were visiting for the weekend. At last the sun shone! We all headed to the beach in Port Fairy. They were going to visit Tower Hill so I brought them around to see the school. Then we had our 'Kodak Moment':After Tower Hill we had dinner and chatted for the rest of the evening. It was nice having company and I hope to spend some time with them before I fly out in just over two weeks time.

UGG Boots

Uggs are claimed as an Australian invention but as with Pavlova and a certain horse (Phar Lap) the Kiwis also claim it as theirs. They are in many of the souvenir shops and of course you will find many stores devoted to UGGs only in all of the cities and large towns. It is a generic brand here but it most countries of the world it is a trademark name.
The Aussies shorten many names and I believe that this name was shortened from 'ugly'!

Arthur's Story

He is an engineer from Melbourne who had worked in LA for five years in the Nineties. This was his sixth U2 concert. He is the same age as Bono. He is also a fan of ACDC and Bon Jovi. During a particular song I noticed that he was swaying but not in time to the music. He was about to faint! We were on the pitch squashed among of thousands of bopping fans. No sign of a medic. I did not know whether to go in front of or behind him. In the end I grabbed him by the arm as did a guy on his other side. It turns out he is a diabetic so we got him some sports drink and that raised his sugar levels. I stayed with him after the concert while he exited the stadium and walked with him to the train station.
Oh, the song that was playing while he almost fainted: Vertigo!!

Tusa freisin

Friday December 3rd: Took the train down to Melbourne for the concert of the year-U2! Had planned to visit Gabrielle Leigh the President od the Victorian Principals Association. We had met in 2007 when Gerry and I visited her school in Caroline Springs and I was looking forward to meeting up. But she had to cancel. I was disappointed. Ended up in Melbourne with a few hours to spare and not a lot of shopping to do. Decided to do some 'UGG' shopping. I had a photo and went into about 13 shops, but no luck. The ones I was looking for were Chinese made not Australian.

Was due to meet Leigh and Janet before the concert but they had to return to Geelong as they had forgotten their tickets. Went in on my own. Jay-Z was the support artist and he was a good entertainer. I even recognised some of his stuff (is it okay to call them songs?)


U2 played for 2 hours and 15 minutes and were great value-ticket cost about €80. The sound was a bit distorted for the first hour and improved after that (or was it my ears?) The visuals were spectacular and overall I gave them 8/10. It was a special moment to hear them sing 'In The Name of Love'. 'Beautiful Day' nearly brought the house down.

Met Janet and Leigh after and returned to Geelong with them. Stayed with Leigh that night.

Doncaster Secondary College Orchestra and Band

Tuesday November 30th: We had a visit tiday from Doncaster College, Melbourne. They were on an end of year tour with their orchestra and concert band. They were brilliant and also free! It was interesting to ote that even though it was 'Schoolies Week' most of their Year Twelves attended.

'Schoolies' 'Toolies' and 'Foolies'.

Tuesday November 30th:
Schoolies refers to the Australian tradition of high-school graduates (known as "Schoolies") having week-long holidays following the end of their final exams in late November and early December. This is the season and the newspapers and TV are filled with stories of mainly activities and parties on beaches. Schoolies Week is considered by some as a cultural rite of passage in Australia. The most enduring Schoolies Week tradition is the first run down the beach and dive into the ocean after school is finished forever. That plunge of freedom is the essence of freedom Schoolies symbolises. Over the years the whole thing has got out of control with many arrests and horror stories of violence and abuse.

"Toolies" refers to older revellers who participate in Schoolies week but are not high-school graduates. "Foolies" or "Pre-schoolies" refers to younger adolescents, who participate in Schoolies week but have not yet graduated from high school.
I must do a blog on colloquialisms, they are brilliant.

Post those boxes

Monday November 29th: It cost me $125 (shipping not airmail) and the contents may not have been worth that, but it felt good.

Pack those boxes

Sunday November 28th: Left Matt and Cheryl's early with the sole objective of packing two boxes to send home by post. Did so: 'Oh Happy Day'. I had the boxes for over six weeks and the stuff beside them but just need a few hours un-interrupted to finish them off.

Pay it Forward

Saturday November 27th: Met Maureen Burke in Max's for dinner. I enjoyed catching up with her news since we were last stranded in Abu Dhabi together last April. Remember 'Volcan-No!' ?Lorraine Finlay was supposed to come too, but she mixed up her weekends. I hope to meet her at U2 next week.

After Max's, Maureen dragged me to 'Transport' the 'in-place' before you go to the 'real' place. I thought that I was looking well in the 'Sunday-Going-To-Mass Suit'. I was feeling chuffed when a guy came up to me and said 'nice suit' but not so great when he added that I looked like Colonel Saunders! 'Transport' was nice and the music was great but I think that I prefer 'Rain' in Portobello. There are more people there that look like Colonel Saunders and I do not stand out so much there.

I got the bus home but did not know where to get off. I had Matt and Cheryl's address but the bus driver did not know where exactly it was. I was familiar enough with the road until he turned of and went what seemed like a parallel road. He left me out near a school but it was the wrong one. I was walking in the rain and the aforementioned suit was getting wet when I saw a light in a window and someone leaving a house. (it was after midnight and I did not want to wake up Matt and Cheryl). It was the Green Party's after election bash! I asked for directions and they went back into the house to get a map. They gave me directions and then one of the ladies asked me if i was dodgy. When I said no she was not disappointed but relieved! She offered me a lift home. When we got there I thanked her and explained that the day before I had changed some one's wheel and today I got a lift home after midnight. I wished that something nice would happen her tomorrow.

Rain. Proof.

Saturday November 27th: Just in case you did not believe me. I am fed up with it. Dying for some sunshile before I go home.

Play Me a Song Mr Piano-man!

This guy was attracting as much attention as the Meyer's Window display. Yes that is a real piano and yes he could play. He had an umbrella to shelter from the sun but then the rain came bucketing down. Yes, the piano got wet.

Myers Window Display

This is one of the most famour Christmas window displays in the world. The theme was 'The Nutcracker Suite'. As you can see there was a que and a constant stream of people lsitening (the story was broadcast) and taking photos of the stunning puppets and scenery.

State Election

Saturday November 27th: Very few posters up around Melbourne-plenty of virginal lamp posts! The polling booth that i visited was in Footscray West Primary School. There were parents selling cakes and plants outside the school and they also had a sausage sizzle. They had a ready made customer base as in Australia you are fined if you do not vote so they have a 99.9% turnout. $4 for bacon and egg roll. $2 for sausage and bread. 50 c for onion. I had a very nice bacon and egg role. Then Cheryl and Matt took me on a tour of the school. I saw magnificent native garden and veggies and fruit. There was an astro turf play area for preppies and of course a massive big extension under the BER. met Brendan the principal who was working in the office on a Saturday morning.

Speding Fine

Friday November 26th: When I got to the car there was a parking ticket! Who said that there is justice in the world. Checked the sign and still do not understand why I got it, but I will have to pay it. $70!!- as Fr Jack would say ‘Feck!’

ITA Farewell

Friday November 26th: Meal had just started. Sat with Orla Tunney, First Secretary from the Irish Embassy in Canberra. Enjoyed her company even if we were both depressed with the state of the Irish economy. After the dinner the Canadian gang sang a parody, followed by the Aussie teachers who were going on exchange next year. They sang a rock version of their national anthem. Then they asked me to come out. That was the tradition at all the gatherings during the year. You sang your national anthem. It was awkward when you were the only one, so I decide instead to sing ‘Plastic Jesus’! Orla had googled the words for me but I only got to the third line and forgot the rest. I then decided to sing the 'Fields of Athenry'. Mixed up the words a little but it went down really well. So many of them here have Irish blood and it struck a chord. Why had I not thought of that before? Said many goodbyes and left with Matt who I was staying with.

Lucy and Nick's Story

A picture paints a thousand words!

Spare Tyre

I had a ten minute walk back to where I had parked the car. Needed to change my shirt. In the car park I was approached by a lady who wanted to know if that was a flat tyre! I thought that she was talking about my stomach but she then pointed to her car. (I must loose some weight!) I changed it for her and thought now that’s my good deed for the day. I then changed my shirt (waited until she had left) and then because I was late for the dinner decided to drive to the hotel rather than walk. Got parking across the road, checked the sign. Pay parking until 8.30. Put in the money and ran to hotel.

ITF Farewell

Friday: Attended the ITF function in Treasury Place, the HQ of their dept of Ed (DEECD) @5.30. All the gang, 20, that are going next year were there as well as our 15. There used to be over 50 going each year but the numbers have dropped since 9/11. Karin and I were interviewed by the MC and that went quite well. The Undersecretary for Education referred to one of my stories and was also pleased at what Karin and I had to say about Education in Victoria. Glad that I had put some time into preparing the few words. It was a formal reception with other dignitaries there and all the school principals. Mary Lovelock was there on behalf of CEO Ballarat. It was nice of her to give the support.. Loads of photos both official and unofficial.

Tommy K

While shopping in Melbourne I got a text from the staff of St Patrick's. They had a 'pupil free day' today and went to The Commercial Hotel for lunch. The first text said that The Saw Doctors were on the intercom at the hotel. The next text said that 'Tommy K' was on and that they were all dancing to it. I wished that I was with them instead of trudging the streets in the abominable rain. The rain is so bad that only a few weeks ago a bumper harvest was predicted, now the crops are rotting in the ground.

Andrew Blair ICP President

Friday November 26th: Attended Prayer service by the school pupils in St Mary’s church. They have one every Friday morning and all the school attend. Plenty of parents and grandparents also. Met Fr Michael O Toole who asked for a copy of my speech from the night before. And there was me thinking that it was a bit as they say here ‘ordinary’! He gave me his email address so I had better send it on. Left meeting at ten to got to Melbourne. Met Andrew Blair for lunch in a very fancy restaurant called the European. Andrew is President of the ICP and we had a great if frantic chat about my experiences here. He had to rush to catch a plane. I finished my meal and then went to see Myers window. It is a famous department store, the first of its kind in Australia over a hundred years ago. This year the theme was The Nutcracker Suite. Had to queue as it is the main Christmas attraction in Melbourne. Pouring rain again, oh for some sunshine. Walked around the shops for a while and passed many places which reminded me of the Bursary trip in 2007 with Gerry. Hours shopping for some gifts for home. Got nothing. Not sure that I will. Problem getting light stuff.

Farewell Functions

Thursday November 25th: The crazy season has started. Today was the last meeting of the Southern Zone principals. It was held in Colac, that town which sounds like a medical condition. I arrived early and went on a tour of St Mary’s first: $2 million refurbishment, new classrooms and library under the BER. The meeting was followed by the end of year meal. Farewell speeches were made after the meal. It all felt a little strange. I was asked to give an after dinner speech on comparisons with Irish System. Probably a little too heavy for the occasion. I would have been better off just concentrating on my 'thank you's and goodbyes. Managed to do both. They all sang a song that they had composed for me to the tune of Dolly Parton's ‘Jolene’ I asked them to stop while I got the video and then ran back to the room. It was as Susan would say ‘a hoot!’ Bitter sweet-sad to go but looking forward to going home also. Will miss the people as they are a tremendous bunch who bring a lot to their schools. It was an honour working with them.

If you want to check out the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqKbhVUmSJE

Irish Koroit

As I near the end of my time here, maybe it is time to go back to the beginning. Koroit, is a rural town in South-western Victoria.

It has the largest concentration of Irish outside of the major cities, in all of Australia. Most of them came here to pick potatoes in the early 1850’s initially working for two main landlords and eventually owning farms of their own. They mainly came form Clare, Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. It has been a huge bonus for me to be among ‘my own people’. The community here have been unbelievably welcoming and kind to me. It is quite moving to think of the hardships the ancestors of this community went through, especially in the early days and how well they have done in their new home. Through it all they kept their Irishness. For example, today in school someone brought me in a photo taken of a gravestone in a local graveyard, It was written as Gaeilge, sa chló Rómánach. Andrew Lynch from Clare who when he passed away in 1914 was described as ‘Fíor Ghael a d’éag’. The person’s face lit up when I was able to translate. In Trim we have children from about 19 different nationalities, here there is only one child who is not of Caucasian descent. The majority have Irish surnames but it is not so long ago when they ALL HAD. The photo below was taken in the mid-sixties and as you see, the names are all familiar Irish ones. Sorry about the poor quality of photo but I did not want to dismantle the frame!