Ogilvie Visit

I'm still blown away by witnessing some real, live advisory classes in action. It was an affirming experience for me as most of my thinking has been projection into what things would be like for us next year and to see the model actually working and to live the experience was very enriching for me, (despite having a bingle at Distance Education!). The pole and I agreed to disagree and my insurance company are now paying the price for my inattention.

Our Garden

The latest pic represents the surprise of getting it right. If we focus on setting the conditions for growth just right each young person will astound us by their imagination, perspiration and inspiration. They will become just who they are meant to be, nothing more, but nothing less. What a priviledge to be a part of that!

Big Picture -

Big Picture -

A new beginning

It is important to me not to ask something of someone else that I'm not prepared to do myself. Hence the City Campus Leader's Journal. These are my first thoughts, displayed in the form of photos.

This pic represents innovation and inventiveness. Galileo's Thermometer representing creativity, imagination and  new ways of looking at things. City Campus can't continue to "do what we've always done" in education or, in the words of Einstein "we'll get what we've always got". City Campus has to find new ways of learning, in keeping with the times we're living in but producing enduring results at the same time. City Campus has to be Future focussed, but grounded in the truth.

 My next pic represents the power of reflection, shedding light on where we're heading, and illuminating the path ahead. It can never be underestimated or neglected and must be an integral part of our culture, ingrained in both the staff and student activity and planning. Reflection, thoughtful consideration of what is needed and appreciative enquiry after truth

I've chosen this pic to represent my optimism for the project, the elephant's trunk raised symbolises good fortune and this is exactly what my approach needs to be - positive thinking is a powerful habit of mind to possess and needs to mark all my endeavours as leader of our community of learners. Elephants never forget, or so legend has it and it is my belief that the kind of learning embodied by City Campus is lived experience, the kind that stays with you and becomes part of you, not the sort of information retained for tests and soon forgotten. Optimism represents a hopeful pursuit of the future - engaging in active and solid work towards our collaborative purpose.