MANX MAX

Monday, June 12th (Day 86)

It was an unusual start to the half-term break as instead of being in school, headteachers from across the Island gathered for a briefing with DESC Chief Officer regarding a potential working time agreement. While the details remain confidential, there was a buzz of anticipation that this could be a positive step forward for the Isle of Man.

In the afternoon, I visited Willaston School and was relieved to see Mr. Michael back on duty after a health scare towards the end of the previous half-term. The weather was scorching hot and working in such heat at a school was far from comfortable.

Tuesday, June 13th (Day 87)

My day began at Laxey School, where I caught up with my colleagues. It was evident that some of them had faced personal challenges during the half-term break. As a close-knit family at Laxey School, we always look out for one another, providing support when needed.

I met with Diane Parker who wanted to discuss a programme she has designed to help children learn about loss and grief. From here I met with the DESC Estates Director to discuss the hedging at Dhoon School.

In the afternoon, I visited Dhoon School. Despite its small size, the school has its fair share of child protection issues, and I took the opportunity to catch up on the progress made during the Core Group meetings held the day before. The staff meeting focused on report writing, giving everyone dedicated time to work on their reports.

Wednesday, June 14th (Day 88)

At Willaston School, the Head of School and I had set aside some time to focus on quality assurance and self-evaluation, particularly regarding the “Curriculum Intent,” using the new IOM Quality Assurance Framework. Our next step is to begin collecting evidence as schools across the Isle of Man will undergo a cycle of external validation and inspection starting in September.

In the afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting DESC Chief Officer Graham Kinrade at Laxey School. As part of his school visits throughout the Island, Laxey was on his itinerary for the day. I couldn’t help but feel proud as I showcased our school’s fantastic learning environment, engaged students, well-prepared teachers, and the overall progress we’ve made. Laxey School has become a place where everything we’ve worked towards is finally coming together. The students are wonderful, the parents are supportive, and my staff is truly exemplary. It’s a fulfilling feeling, and I headed home with a sense of contentment.

Thursday, June 15th (Day 89)

I dedicated today to administrative tasks and catching up on various matters. In the morning, I worked on budgeting before turning my attention to clearing out my email inbox and addressing those small, niggling tasks that always seem to elude my to-do list.

During lunchtime, I joined a virtual meeting with Coventry University to discuss our upcoming collaboration for the iQTS trainee who will be joining Dhoon School for a year starting in September. The afternoon was filled with more administrative work, including the drafting of three newsletters scheduled for publication the following day.

The highlight of my day was a virtual meeting with John Magee from Kindness Matters. I’m thrilled that Laxey, Dhoon, and Willaston will soon become the Isle of Man’s first Kindness Matters Schools.

Friday, June 16th (Day 90)

The day kicked off at Willaston School, where photoboards featuring larger-than-life images of our amazing pupils were being installed in the entrance area. It added a lovely touch and looked absolutely fabulous.

After the Willaston Celebration Assembly, I made my way to Laxey School for their celebration assembly, and then completed a hat-trick with a visit to Dhoon School for theirs. These assemblies truly were the highlight of my week, as I enjoy the opportunity to share in the children’s accomplishments and hear about all the fantastic work happening across my partnership of schools.

The three newsletters were successfully published, and I made sure to update the schools’ social media accounts. With the end of a busy week in sight, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Approaching my 100th day at Willaston, I couldn’t help but notice a shift in the natural balance. While I had initially focused most of my time on my new role at Willaston School, this week saw a more even distribution of my attention across all three schools. As we approached the culmination of the school year, with end-of-year reports due to me next week, the pace was picking up. But for now, it was time to welcome the weekend and make the most of the current spell of magnificent weather.

As I reflect on this week’s adventures, it’s incredible to witness the progress and achievements we’ve made together as a team. Whether it’s the anticipation of positive changes for the Isle of Man’s education system or the supportive camaraderie among colleagues at Laxey School, these experiences reinforce the importance of collaboration and resilience.

In the midst of administrative tasks, meetings, and assemblies, it’s the smiles on the pupils’ faces and their incredible growth that remind me of why I chose this profession. Education is not just about academics but also about fostering kindness and empathy, as exemplified by our new partnership with Kindness Matters. The future is bright for Laxey, Dhoon, and Willaston. And, I was delighted to be selected to feature in this week’s #EduKindnessBlog with my poem, “Whispers of Kindness.”

So, as I bid farewell to this eventful week, I eagerly await the adventures and challenges that lie ahead. May the coming days bring even more laughter, growth, and remarkable experiences for all of us within this amazing community of learners.