ICT Contract

We have just about completed the first year of a three year ICT contract as part of a cluster of schools.

The principal (Dennis Thompson) and lead teachers (Clint Chalmers, Linda Nevill and Carolyn Word) have enjoyed working collaboratively throughout this first year of the project and have openly shared goals and sought solutions to challenges.  All staff have E-learning goals as part of their performance appraisal, and are expected to share specific examples of the use of E-learning with colleagues.  

All staff have actively participated in a range of ICT workshops where they have been introduced to new E-learning opportunities.  Compulsory school-wide teacher planning templates include consideration of ICT.  

To support teachers in achieving their stated goals, significant ICT resourcing has been required.  Purchases this year have included:  32 classroom net-books, 3 Active Board Interactive Whiteboards, Installation of Ruckus school-wide wireless, 5 mini-video cams, hardware upgrades to school radio station, and subscriptions to numerous educational websites.
There has been a marked increase in the number of classes that now have their own blogs

All staff attended four after school workshop which assisted us all in observing good practice in other schools – a rare opportunity.  Many staff members felt strongly affirmed in their own practice by having the opportunity to attend workshops in other schools.  Also, it was pleasing that a number of our staff felt confident to voluntarily host their own workshops for others to attend.  Al staff attended the two-day cluster conference held in Wellington during the July holidays, and six staff members attended the Ulearn Conference in Christchurch during the September holidays.

EVERY staff member has tried something new this year - ranging from using a digital camera to starting a class blog.  These achievements will be reported as part of the annual staff appraisal programme.