I just had a mind shattering experience and needed to share with the group:
“My name is Coilín and I’m a…” …only joking.
“My name is Coilín and I’m a…” …only joking.
Yesterday I had a visit, at 9.00, from our educational consultant. This is the nearest thing in this system to a Cigire, and also the furthest thing from a Cigire, as I will explain. Her name is Di and she is a treasure. First off she comes in and gives you a hug. Those of you who know me know how partial I am to hugs. Then she enquires how she can help. As a matter of fact she contacted me a few weeks ago to set up the meeting and to set up an agenda for my needs as well as hers. She visits the teachers regularly during the year and each principal once a term. Yesterday there were only three items on the agenda:
- The Annual Report to The School Community
- Annual Action Plan
- VRQA Compliance
The first is a thirteen page report that principals make to their school community at the end of each school year. (i.e. December). The second is a ten page document where principals outline plans that will be actioned next year. The last is like a Plean Scoile folder with just a set of minimum requirements/policies. This is checked each year to see that it is up to date and a form has to be filled in online to indicate compliance. [They each merit a ‘Blog' and if I get the time I will give more details. But not today!]
Anyway, I had a class from 2.00 to 3.30 so both of us (after the hug) put our heads down and tore into the tasks. As all this was new to me, she explained it in great detail and showed me where to get the information needed. There was no change in format on the first so I was able to follow what Mark had done last year. The AAP had changed completely. Last year it was a wish-washy document but now it is very specific, You need to have targets based on evidence and outline who and how these targets will be reached. If you remember the parents, staff and pupils were surveyed earlier in the year and she helped me interpret and use this data to complete the report. I now have two documents to write up but can see exactly how to do them. Unfortunately two o’ clock came and we had not even started the VQRA compliance. As a staff we had been updating policies during the year but they were everywhere. Other technical information had to be updated from various websites. I had to take a class. Di said that she would have a look at the folder and we would finish it after class. At 3.30 I arrived back to the office to find that she, with the help of the school secretary who knew where the updated policies and other information was, had completed the folder for me! I nearly kissed her but settled for another hug.
Is this not the help all us principals should be getting from DES? Don’t inspect me-help me.
P.S. Marg is a treasure also, but another ‘Blog’ and another day. So much to write and so little time…
Anyway, I had a class from 2.00 to 3.30 so both of us (after the hug) put our heads down and tore into the tasks. As all this was new to me, she explained it in great detail and showed me where to get the information needed. There was no change in format on the first so I was able to follow what Mark had done last year. The AAP had changed completely. Last year it was a wish-washy document but now it is very specific, You need to have targets based on evidence and outline who and how these targets will be reached. If you remember the parents, staff and pupils were surveyed earlier in the year and she helped me interpret and use this data to complete the report. I now have two documents to write up but can see exactly how to do them. Unfortunately two o’ clock came and we had not even started the VQRA compliance. As a staff we had been updating policies during the year but they were everywhere. Other technical information had to be updated from various websites. I had to take a class. Di said that she would have a look at the folder and we would finish it after class. At 3.30 I arrived back to the office to find that she, with the help of the school secretary who knew where the updated policies and other information was, had completed the folder for me! I nearly kissed her but settled for another hug.
Is this not the help all us principals should be getting from DES? Don’t inspect me-help me.
P.S. Marg is a treasure also, but another ‘Blog’ and another day. So much to write and so little time…
No comments:
Post a Comment