Craig Kenner Portfolio

Professional Knowlege

classicaus — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:03:52 +0000

Chelsea Primary School is a small school in south-east Melbourne in a traditionally low socio-economic status area. The school is in a dated set of buildings with upgrades derived from the stimulus intended for builders yet to have been initiated. The student body has a high number of ‘difficult’ students that the staff claim have been evicted from other schools and lumped on Chelsea PS. The effects of that are noted via the strain on teachers, difficulties in class and expected poorer result when state wide testing is conducted. The 3/4 grade I am undertaking placement with are well controlled and tightly wound in students who find it difficult to respond to different teacher’s educational styles. The school is currently re-evaluating all school policies, goals and guidelines as it prepares to reinvent itself as an individual school. There is an abundance of local schools that all have their own central theme which is attracting far more students than Chelsea PS has been able to, with the school’s ‘traditional values’ reputation.
The peer review was a valuable learning tool as I recognised personally and from my peers that there are areas in my practice that need to be developed that previously I had not considered. The unpacking of the VIT standards that the process allowed, help me to recognise the depth of the VIT standards and the need to focus in on specific aspects through direct practice in my placement. My goal is to be able to re-evaluate my experience in these aspects towards the end of practice with the intention of being able to provide evidence for each aspect rather than just for a few. The action plan is going to be an essential tool in ensuring that I draw as much value from my placement as possible. My focus currently is still based on teaching succinct lessons with evaluated benefit clearly recognisable, which, generally has taken up more attention than the other learning opportunities at partnership school placement. These aspects that I have been focusing on can be quite accurately summed up by Closing the Loop’s list of Expectations of Teachers, which I will now use as a reference and guide in my general practice development.

Test Muted Player

classicaus — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:54:34 +0000

more about "Test Muted Player", posted with vodpod

Kokoda Track

classicaus — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:55:10 +0000

One of my goals that have been cemented by my experience at the NSLF is to walk the Kokoda Trail/Track. In my mind it is an exclusive rite of passage that would be one of the most rewarding and challenging experiences I can imagine. I have heard from a teacher who went on the trek with a range of students and who could only describe the experience as life changing which. I recently met an MP, Guy Barnett who had also walked the hazardous track and a published book of photos helps to explain the sheer impact such a journey has on it’s trekkers.

However, I was always concerned about my physical condition in the attempt of such a journey. I am slightly unfit, slightly over-weight and slightly prone to cigarettes, which all combines to

———————————————————————
Ninemsn Article – Kokoda Death

The Age – Father Dies on Kokoda, trekking for daughter

Cyber Bullying

classicaus — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:22:49 +0000

Is one of the fastest growing educational issues that Australia has been contending with over the past ten years and will be struggling to contend with over the next five years. With the growth of internet access across the Australia, cyber bullying which has expanded across the US and UK will almost certainly be a significant inhibitor of the future education of Australian students. In order to stay ahead of the game the Australian Government is taking steps to plan for the future including a Student Summit to be held at the MCG on October 12th. The Summit aims to obtain the opinions, suggestions and strategies of Australian youth on an issue that is difficult to tackle.

For more information on the Summit – See Below

——————————————————————–

DEECD – Student Summit

The Age – Students to advise on tackling cyber-bullying

WA – 10 per cent of kids cyber-bullied: WA survey

Education Menu

classicaus — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:46:20 +0000

NOW SHOWING…

Teach for Australia Discussion – a discussion on the Government’s new pathway into Education. Includes a range of links to information, sources, articles and responses from industry professionals.

Graduating teachers need more time – An internal YouTube Video discussing how graduating Teachers need the time to be able to develop their complicated practice in the classroom. It is the right thing to do for the teachers and the students.

Cyber Bullying – Last year 10% of Australian students polled, admitted that they were the victims of cyber bullying, and as the broadband and internet access expands surely we are biting on the heals of the UK where 30% have reported cyber bullying and the internet leaders US where half of all students are being cyber bullied.

10% more

classicaus — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:06:40 +0000

Graduating Teachers need the time to be able to develop their complicated practice in the classroom. It is the right thing to do for the teachers and the students.

10% could make all the difference.

Leaders and Leadership at NSLF

classicaus — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:17:13 +0000

What is the National Student Leadership Forum?
Well it is an amazing four days in Australia’s capital city, Canberra.
It is open to young people generally under 25 who have been nominated by someone connected to the forum, a member of parliament or a university.
The 2009 NSLF was on faith and values. An interesting discussion topic from a political perspective. To hear a speech on faith and values from the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd and the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull was an interesting start to this short journey. Their contributions were followed on by speeches by other important members of federal parliament, each offering a personal angle on their faith and values. Business power houses sat alongside charity workers in more presentations, all of them remarkable people. Each leaving a mark of inspiration upon all in attendance.
Leadership was the key term. What it takes to be a leader? Servant-leadership, leadership qualities and the injection of faith and values into leadership.
The sheer volume of information, inspiration and motivation that was present at the NSLF is difficult to record. My best attempt so far is in a Day by Day synopsis.

The NSLF is an International forum, that is most intensively life-changing three days of speeches, discussion groups, dinners, seminars and tours I have ever experienced. It is open to young people generally under 25 who have been nominated by someone connected to the forum, a member of parliament, self-funding or a university. The nominees are then summoned to the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, a prestigious venue that play’s host the 180 odd students from Australia and abroad.

Day 1
The 2009 NSLF was on faith and values. An interesting discussion topic from a political perspective. To hear a speech on faith and values from the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd and the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull was an interesting start to this short journey. That is exactly what we experienced after a VIP seating during question time, all followed on by an up close and personal encounter with an MP who speaks to your personally in their office, then guides you to a 3-course dinner at Parliament with MPs from all political parties. Labour, Liberal, Independent all working together? Yes, they seek to inspire, they hold the NSLF to encourage, inspire and bask in the youth and enthusiasm of the up and coming leaders of the future. During each meal, as on this occasion, an inspiring Australian makes their way up stage and provides you with far more to chew on than just your steak, an extraordinary businessman laid out a plan for the future of Indigenous welfare, he hopes we will implement the changes he suggested and it is clear he is happy to place a lot of trust in our hands. During each day, an extensive ammount of time is allocated to small group discussion, which is perhaps the most pungent part of the forum as you find yourself delving deep into your soul to answer what are your faith and values and what in your life has shaped them. No sleep the night before and midnight finish on the first day. Sleep is already a valueable commodity.

Day 2
7am start and guest speakers want to help your buffet breakfast go down with an array of incredible stories. Before you can fully digest an school- based organisation uniting people from Muslim and Jewish faiths, along with the extensive buffet, we are whisked away to the Australian War Memorial, where we are drawn to tears and left with a short walk to Parliament to ponder the powerful message we just experienced. We are honoured with a panel of MPs who indulge us in a powerfully exposive Q & A time, before we give our competive spirit a go in a range of sports. Sports is cut short as Kevin Rudd invited us back for an extra beer with him, not to mention a photo opportunity for the fortunate, an incredible move for someone with a schedule as tight as his. Dinner, group time and it is well past Midnight, even the casual night-cap drinks I had with other delegates were deep, meaningful and challenging.

Day 3
The time is something-horrible AM and an NSLF delegate from a previous year tells her story of success which warmly guides the coffee down. Spurred on by her enthusiasm; the following two intimate seminars from a panel of business people and then an extraordinary entrepreneur/businessman/charity worker soon have me floating on a motivational high during our in depth small group discussions that followed. We then enbarked on a community service project that was surprisingly fruitful and therefore genuinely rewarding. The night was dedicated to a Bollywood themed dance party that exceeded all my expectations, we learnt to dance, we danced, we drank, we partied and for many of us the night didn’t end, rather in the Canberra nightlife it merged into the emotional wrap up breakfast of the morning.

Day 4
There are some last minute inspiration before an open-microphone provided an opportunity for emotive tales of individual’s experiences before the hugs and goodbyes began, each of us leaving with a fist full of business cards, e-mails, facebooks, twitters, photos and promises of reunions. Before I knew it the plane had crashed landed me back in Melbourne, with a head full of borrowed wisdom, a heart full of emotion and soul inspired to lead and serve. Reflection is the first thing on my long to-do-list as I redefine my approach to everything I experience. Overall, it was the amazing combination of people, incredible, funny, intelligent, charitable, leaders that truly inspired me over my time at NSLF.

There are hours worth of contemplative messages that I would like to pass on, but one that applies to everyone was said by an extraordinary man who is changing the world, David Bassau: “Be yourself, because everyone else is taken.”

The NSLF Experience

classicaus — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:37:23 +0000

I have returned from NSLF – the National Student Leadership Forum.
I cannot explain to non-attendees what an amazing experience it is. Surprisingly it was my fellow nominees, the students, that seem to have had the biggest effect on me. However, I would not undermine the sheer brilliance of being in Canberra, meeting Kevin Rudd, the opposition leader, having drinks and listening to speeches from a range of other Members of Parliament, listening to powerful speakers, billionaires, entrepreneurs, charity workers, conducting community service and not to mention the bar mooseheads.
I intend on sharing more on the experience soon.

Teach for Australia

classicaus — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:07:38 +0000

Teach for Australia

Join in on the discussion around Teach for Australia

An ever expanding list of links and informative pieces can all be viewed from the Teach for Australia page.

Please Note: This website is under construction, please bookmark and return at a later date to see development.

Radio Debate on Teach for Australia

classicaus — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:48:22 +0000

The latest development on Teach for Australia.

A key debate that includes the compares the relationship between

Teach for America and Teach for Australia.

Click here to have a listen!