We won’t grow resilient kids if we only talk about resilience. Kids need to experience struggle, setbacks and failure if they are going to develop the skillset and mindset to be resilient. If a child only ever experiences success, then we as adults have failed. This is the topic of my latest #OffCampus segment for […]
You may, or may not know that I have been developing a strengths-based intervention program called Little Superheroes aimed at reaching kids at risk of disengaging. It’s part of my YouthEngage initiative, and working with Ph.D candidate, Dean Grimshaw we have just submitted our first set of research findings to the Department of Education. I shall […]
One of the most common questions I get asked by schools, is along the lines of how can we teach “Cyber-Safety?” Leaving aside the fact I’m not keen on the use of the work cyber as whilst it may have suited our needs a decade ago, nowadays it’s pretty much irrelevant. Why do I say irrelevant? Because […]
I originally wrote this for my regular Generation Next Column In my work with schools, I’m finding more and more interest arising in the area of Positive Psychology and its offshoot Positive Education. And as the interest around these grow, so do some of the more common misconceptions. I’ve found some teachers to be a little […]
On Thursday 20th February at 8pm GMT, (7am on the Friday Morning AEDT in Sydney) I shall be hosting the #UKEdChat on Twitter. We’ll be talking about teaching citizenship, and Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) in schools. In the UK, PSHE education remains a non-statutory subject, but the National Curriculum framework document states that: All […]
Late last year, the OECD published the latest of their PISA tables. Predictably, many went into meltdown, whether it was due to their country’s position on the table, their respective government’s reaction to the results or those who detest standardised testing. But as this article shows, the tests are not all about numeracy and literacy. […]
This is my latest #talkingpoints video. It’s designed to act as a stimulus for discussion in your school. What’s the attrition rate in your school? Is it something that is ever discussed? For more reading on this, check out this article I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald last year, as well as this one (not […]
As posted on the YouthEngage site… One of the main reasons for my leaving full-time teaching was to establish YouthEngage, and at last we have been given approval by the NSW Dept of Education & Communities to research the effectiveness of one of our programs.
This was originally published for my regular Generation Next column. I have a saying that my teaching colleagues will be able to appreciate. Interesting kids have very interesting parents. I spent the past two years resisting invitations from schools to give parent talks. My reasoning was that whilst after 15+ years teaching, I can speak […]
What do we lose when everyone wins?
We won’t grow resilient kids if we only talk about resilience. Kids need to experience struggle, setbacks and failure if they are going to develop the skillset and mindset to be resilient. If a child only ever experiences success, then we as adults have failed. This is the topic of my latest #OffCampus segment for […]
Read MoreWhat’s happening in School?
Read MoreHow do you celebrate your students’ strengths?
You may, or may not know that I have been developing a strengths-based intervention program called Little Superheroes aimed at reaching kids at risk of disengaging. It’s part of my YouthEngage initiative, and working with Ph.D candidate, Dean Grimshaw we have just submitted our first set of research findings to the Department of Education. I shall […]
Read MoreHear No Evil, See No Evil
One of the most common questions I get asked by schools, is along the lines of how can we teach “Cyber-Safety?” Leaving aside the fact I’m not keen on the use of the work cyber as whilst it may have suited our needs a decade ago, nowadays it’s pretty much irrelevant. Why do I say irrelevant? Because […]
Read More3 Common Myths About Positive Psychology
I originally wrote this for my regular Generation Next Column In my work with schools, I’m finding more and more interest arising in the area of Positive Psychology and its offshoot Positive Education. And as the interest around these grow, so do some of the more common misconceptions. I’ve found some teachers to be a little […]
Read MoreDoes PSHE or Citizenship have a place your school day?
On Thursday 20th February at 8pm GMT, (7am on the Friday Morning AEDT in Sydney) I shall be hosting the #UKEdChat on Twitter. We’ll be talking about teaching citizenship, and Personal, Social & Health Education (PSHE) in schools. In the UK, PSHE education remains a non-statutory subject, but the National Curriculum framework document states that: All […]
Read MoreAre the smartest kids also the saddest?
Late last year, the OECD published the latest of their PISA tables. Predictably, many went into meltdown, whether it was due to their country’s position on the table, their respective government’s reaction to the results or those who detest standardised testing. But as this article shows, the tests are not all about numeracy and literacy. […]
Read MoreWhy do so many teachers leave the profession?
This is my latest #talkingpoints video. It’s designed to act as a stimulus for discussion in your school. What’s the attrition rate in your school? Is it something that is ever discussed? For more reading on this, check out this article I wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald last year, as well as this one (not […]
Read MoreAt last!
As posted on the YouthEngage site… One of the main reasons for my leaving full-time teaching was to establish YouthEngage, and at last we have been given approval by the NSW Dept of Education & Communities to research the effectiveness of one of our programs.
Read MoreGirls Get A’s, Then Get Surgery
This was originally published for my regular Generation Next column. I have a saying that my teaching colleagues will be able to appreciate. Interesting kids have very interesting parents. I spent the past two years resisting invitations from schools to give parent talks. My reasoning was that whilst after 15+ years teaching, I can speak […]
Read More