So, another year comes to a close -another year of growth, development and opportunity in my three schools, Dhoon, Laxey, and Willaston.
The year has been influenced along the way by a diverse range of people, visitors and visits to other places… here is my review of the year that was…. Thank You 2023
January
The year started with a new challenge for me: taking on Willaston School alongside Dhoon and Laxey. Establishing myself within the Willaston School community was the first order of the day: children, parents and staff to get to know. I was also introduced to @PcLou206 our community Police Officer.
I welcomed @SarahLinariIQM from @iqmaward into Dhoon and Laxey for our annual assessments and was delighted to learn that Laxey would continue as a Centre of Excellence establishment and Dhoon had retained its prestigious listing as a Flagship School for inclusion.
February
As we moved into February, I started to revisit some key themes across Dhoon and Laxey, as well as bring them to the fore at Willaston: this included partnership and curriculum. It was great to hold a twilight training session across two schools with Sandra Jones from @Cornerstonesedu for staff at Laxey and Dhoon Schools. We went over the Cornerstones Curriculum, mapping out the progression and coverage.
Not our only training led by external experts: we also arranged for writing moderation training to be delivered to all staff by Laura Bailey from @HeyPobble. I’m delighted to be leading the Isle of Man’s first two Pobble Schools… and by early next year, Willaston will become the third.
The Isle of Man’s Head of State is The King, known as the Lord of Mann here, and his permanent representative in the Island is the Lt. Governor. I was delighted to welcome His Excellency Sir John Lorimer @JGL39559946 to Dhoon and Laxey to meet the children, answer questions in an assembly and then tour the schools.
Last year, and for the first part of this year, I was fortunate to be coached by @drewpovey and I enjoyed the first of several sessions with him as he helped prepare me for the addition of a third school to my responsibilities. It’s great to have some objective perspective and expert advice – school leadership can be tough as those who do it know. It’s important to have a professional space to reflect, grow and learn – Drew’s sessions certainly provided this for me.
The Isle of Man Government @IOMGovernment commissioned an independent review into its response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The review looked at all aspects of the Manx Government’s response, including education. To that end, I was asked to speak to the review team in a focus group with 6 other headteachers about the period between March 2020 and April 2022. The report is due for publication in Januray 2024.
I have long been influenced by the work of @learnimperative. When I first became a headteacher just over 10 years ago, Mark’s ‘Teaching Backwards‘ philosophy helped me define and establish myself in post. His focus on learning, and clarity, really strikes a chord with me and his latest ‘cathedral building’ messages build further on this. Mark visted the Isle of Man to meet with my senior team. We used him to help us review our approach to T&L, curriculum and implementation. He challenged us to consider “what beautiful looks like” and provided us with some tools to help focus our thinking and get further clarity. He also led a Twilight INSET Session for Laxey and Dhoon Schools, and Rushen School too where @suze2504 is HT.
March
March began with me contributing as a guest on the @IQMAward Live Stream which was looking at Element 4. Host Dave Stott did a tremendous job in setting everything up, but there were gremlins in the system and we couldn’t get the Teams connection to work no matter how hard we tried. Despite the technical difficulties we did manage to bring me in eventually (although the sound was far from perfect) and the video recording can be seen below.
The Lempen Theatre Company visited all three schools to present their story without words: Flotsam and Jetsam. It was a wonderful production – all pupils were able to watch – and it was a fantastic injection of live theatre and culture into our curriculum offer.
@IWC_Media, television producers for @channel5_tv, visited me at Laxey School to discuss our school’s participation in an upcoming prime-time TV program. We talked about the necessary parental consents and permissions required, and the producers met some of the children who would go on to be involved. The show would feature my students visiting the Manx Parliament, Tynwald, on @SusanCalman Grand Day Out. The pupils took part in a mock debate imagining themselves as the Island’s politicians, a fantastic learning experience about Manx politics, and an amazing opportunity to film for a TV show.
Last year Dhoon and Laxey featured on BBC @BBCNWT, and prime-time on BBC Children In Need as part of the national choir. It was great to secure some more national coverage for us this year, and further testament to our ability to punch above our weight and put the Isle of Man firmly on the map.
Author and Illustrator Simon Murray visited all three schools, where he led an assembly, followed by workshops in each class. This type of input into our cultural capital offering is so important for our pupils.
The partnership model of school leadership is a new and emerging model in the Isle of Man that requires knowledge and insight to effectively implement. When I took on Willaston School, I knew that visiting an established partnership of schools would provide valuable insight into the advantages, challenges, and strategies necessary for success. The visit would also establish a network of contacts for ongoing support and collaboration. To this end, I arrived in Crowborough to visit @kateowbridge, Executive Headteacher of @AshdownPrimary across multiple sites in the town. Kate is an incredible school leader: generous with her time; inspiring; fair; experienced; and full of passion, purpose, vision and a strong moral compass. It was brilliant to see her work in action and take lessons on multiple site development, staffing structures, communication and strategic leadership which would inform my work in the Isle of Man.
@gdmorewood visited to do two days of development work at Willaston School, including staff development sessions and parent workshops.
April
Steve Draper from @Rahmqvistuk makes his first visit of the year to the Island and joins me at Laxey School. I have to take a day of personal leave to be in England. We’re going through some personal stuff right now, and my daughter is in @AlderHey for an appointment. She means everything to me 💛
I did bump into Steve Draper again, this time on the ferry. Steve is an Evertonian and a personal friend of Duncan Ferguson. It gave us a chance to view the new Everton stadium from the perspective of the ferry – and I have to say it does look mighty impressive. I sincerely hope that Everton stay in the Premier League despite their 10pt deduction because the city of Liverpool deserves to see top-flight football in this stadium in the next season or two.
May
What a month May was. The incredible @RockKidzUK joined us in all three schools with sessions focussed on anti-bullying. They’re great days as always, and Rock Kidz deliver an important message with their usual mix of music and mayhem. It was great to welcome new member @RockKidzBecca to the schools. Wednesday 10thMay is probably a day I will never forget with @RockKidzCam @RockKidzJ and @RockKidzSi visiting Willaston and being joined by the Minister of Education @VOTEJulieEdge and Mr John Wannenburgh MHK @JohnWannenburgh. RockKidz always leave a school 10% happier than before, even in already happy schools.
The Dhoon School Council launched their “Slow Dhoon” Road Safety Campaign with representatives from the @TweetbeatIOM, @GarffComms, and our Chair of Governors @CGMaverickMaker.
June
I had the pleasure of hosting @iomdesc Chief Officer Graham Kinrade at Laxey School. 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.
A highlight of June was meeting @KindnessCoach_ from Kindness Matters. I’m thrilled that Laxey, Dhoon, and Willaston will soon become the Isle of Man’s first Kindness Matters Schools.
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 the #EduKindnessBlog with my poem, “Whispers of Kindness.”
As the Headteacher of Willaston, a school within the City of Douglas, I was delighted to accept an invitation to the Mayor’s Parlour to meet the Mayor of @DouglasCityC, Mrs Natalie Byron-Teare, where we discussed the Mayor’s wishes to build on the theme of community and charity and explored some possible collaborations between Willaston School and Douglas.
A delegation of teachers and officials from the Hradec Králové region of the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 visited Willaston School. They were visiting multiple jurisdictions, including the Isle of Man, to investigate different education systems as they sought to improve and develop their own. It was lovely to be able to showcase Willaston School and talk about the many positives of the Isle of Man Education System.
Laxey School was awarded @IiC_rights Investing In Children status, and it was lovely to read the news report on this which featured on Gef – a local news company @GefMongooseIOM.
Willaston School and Dhoon School had choirs taking part in the Sound of Magic Concert at the Isle of Man’s Villa Marina. Over 500 children from across loads of the island’s schools came together, firstly in the afternoon to rehearse as a massive children’s choir, and then again in the evening to perform to a packed concert hall of thousands. Kudos to @MrsMcFly1980 for organsiing such an amazing, nationwide, musical event
July
Willaston School was visited by Tottenham Hotspur legends Graham Roberts and Ossie Ardiles @osvaldooardiles. As a lifelong Tottenham supporter, this was an amazing moment; and so amazing for the school of Willaston to have this aspitaional and inspirational visit.
In July I had the privilege of visiting @edgehill with my Year 6s from both schools on an “aspiration trip.” The education faculty do amazing work there and the trip was sensational. What a great showcase of what University life has to offer and it gave my pupils an insight into one possible future pathway after secondary education.
Attending the Education Rountable Building Belonging Conference in July in Birmingham was a real highlight of my professional year and gave me the chance to meet with new colleagues, and catch up with friends: @EdRoundtables, @RockKidzUK @KindnessCoach_ @johnbryantHT @BrightLeadChris @dave_mcpartlin @DeputySchofield @Ann_Palmer20 @NAHead10 and @NicolePonsford
August
August provided a well-deserved rest for the teaching profession: I enjoyed a holiday in Majorca – what a great way to relax, unwind and switch off for a couple of weeks – and it gave me a fantastic opportunity to reflect on a couple of educational musings which I put together in a summer blog:
Battle of the Headteachers: Fiction’s Finest Face the Top Trumps Challenge
September
The new school year started in style with all three schools attending STEMFEST.
I was invited to be a panelist at The Isle of Man Government Conference in September in the Q&A session which focussed on Education. This was an interesting event with many great areas for discussion and debate. I was privileged to join the Principal of University College Isle of Man (UCM), Jesamine Kelly, the Treasury Minister @allinson_alex, Head of @BallakermeenHS Graeme Corrin, Owner of Hopes & Dreams Childcare Group, Gary Peirce, and political member for DESC Paul Craine MLC on stage for this event.
October
@RockKidzUKwere back in town, this time with a Concert for all of our parents at DhoonSchool!
November
It was great to represent the @NAHT_IsleOfMan at the Officals Conference in Stratford Upon Avon, and as always it was good to catch up with colleagues in the union including current National President @simonkidwell and NW Regional Boss @RehanaAzam
Towards the end of the month Willaston welcomed another external trainer in the form of @sue_smits from @Morrellshand to deliver handwriting training to my staff team.
December
By December thoughts always turn to the festive season, which is fun filled and turbo charged in schools. In amongst all the festivities I still found time to meet with Santa!
Talking of 2024, it is already shaping up to be another year of fantastic collaboration and learning. I’m delighted that our Y6s across the three schools are due to visit Shropshire and @ManorAdventure in the Summer Term, our 30 day Kindness Challenge kicks off in January, and our rollout of @WALKTHRUs_5 really gets motoring.
And don’t forget, #SharingIsCaring, so if there is anything that you feel you could get out of a visit to some – or all – of my schools, then please do feel free to get in touch with me and arrange to come over. You will be very welcome!
Whenever I write something that name checks a lot of people I am always concerned that I will have forgotten to give a mention to absolutely everyone who deserves one. So please do not be offended if I’ve omitted your name by mistake – as you can see, 2023 has been a very busy year of CPD and learning, but rest assured, if our paths crossed, you certainly added to the rich melting pot of ideas and inspiration that helps shape my thinking and my schools.
MANX MAX 
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