Poutama Pounamu Online - Module 9 Reforming School Systems and Structures

The use of videos where McAuley High School shared their journey was a valuable
resource that helped me make sense of what is needed for change to happen and
be sustainable. The use of tracking students through the collection of data to enable
staff to make informed decisions around how best to support students is something
that we have been developing at our school. We have a new student management
system (Linc-Ed) that was introduced midway through last year and it continues
evolving to meet our needs - a ‘real-time’ interface where student’s goals and next
steps, learning posts and teacher posts are ‘timely’ in response to the learning that
is happening. Through improved methods of tracking individual students through
Linc-Ed, we will be able to use this data to better inform learning programmes and
make conscious decisions about where to next.

GPILSEO is a self-review tool that is clear in terms of what each part means, it is
self-explanatory and highly visible. It will also highlight very quickly areas where more
support or learning (student and teacher) is needed.

From Poutama Pounamu

It is important to reflect on where we are in terms of our school systems and structures
and how we can move forward as a school. Through collaboration - working together to
gain new insights, we have a sense of what direction we need to take in leading the school
in a positive direction.

As a school, we need to have a shared vision - growing and strengthening the connection
between our school and whānau in a meaningful way. This is so that we know that what
we want and what our whānau want is going in the same direction. Knowing where our
students have come from and finding where are wanting to go is important - moving past
pākehā paralysis. These small steps build momentum which contributes to change.

Reform seeks to address both:

• Culturalist (the need to change the culture of the school)
• Structuralist (the need to change power and resource allocations)

By continuing to nudge and challenge others through using a tool such as GPILSEO and
the other resources shared during Poutama Pounamu we will set our students up so that
they are not only succeeding but are expected to succeed to the best of their ability.
Acknowledging and nullifying our unconscious bias through having those uncomfortable
moments where we bring together our deep understanding of community to the
conversation, develops increasing knowledge and recognition of what Ann Milne calls
the White Spaces.