COL Expression of Interest

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I was unsuccessful in the Across School position and have until November 1st to apply for the Within School position. 

Julie Saikkonen

Associate Principal

Westlake Girls High School

Lead Principal

Pupuke Kahui Ako

Christine Robson

Learning Leader Year 6

SENCO and Digital Leader

Forrest Hill School

Kia Ora

I would like to submit my expression of interest in the Across School position in the Pupuke Kahui Ako. Alternatively, I am interested in the Within School position if I am not successful in the Across School opportunity.

My name is Christine Robson. My teaching and leadership experience is as follows;

·         I have been teaching at Forrest Hill School for the past 14 years.

·         In total I have been teaching for 24 years in four Auckland Schools.

·         I am presently a classroom teacher and Learning Leader in Year 6.

·         I have SENCO responsibility for Year 4 to 6.

·         Previously I had seven years’ school wide SENCO responsibility. 

·         I have eleven years Math leadership with initial responsibility for implementation of         the numeracy project school wide and facilitation of ongoing in school professional           development.

·         Team Leader from Years 2 to 6 over a 10-year period.

·         This year I have digital leadership of Year 5 and 6.

My interest over the past 3 years have been on Universal Design for Learning. Through my classroom practice, SENCO initiates and Teaching as Inquiry, I have looked to develop programmes that are inclusive of all learners and focus on their well-being firstly as people and then as learners. I believe “if we always do what we have always done, we will always get what we have always got” – so my focus over the past 3 years has been to plan and implement different approaches through the key competencies to enhance achievement. I am excited that this is the direction the Pupuke Kahui Ako has taken. I firmly believe that developing the key competencies and addressing the well-being of our students will make a difference as they are growing up in a society where the nationwide trend shows alarming statistics in mental health and general well-being.  

In practice, these are a selection of programmes I have initiated and planned over the past few years, both within my classroom and within the school:

·         

• A multiagency collaboration with Caroline Lotowa (Occupational Therapist) in developing perseverance, resilience and managing self through an eight-week Skate Boarding programme targeting Year 3 to 5 students. This culminated in leading a staff meeting and review to the RTLB cluster.

• Te Whare Rama (Lighthouse) – Writing collaboration within the school between myself and a Year 5 teacher, supported by Julie Rodgers. (RTLB) This involves a presentation day to the RTLB cluster and will lead into a staff meeting to share the inquiry journey with staff in Term 4 and possible implementation into the school in 2018. 

• Boys in Schools two term programme, focussing on Participating and Contributing and Managing self as identified barriers to learning within a group of Year 5 and 6 students.

• STEM – developing Thinking, and Participating and Contributing with a group of Year 6 Girls and a second group of Year 6 boys.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• The ability to develop relationships with colleagues based on respect, trust and challenge.

• Using evidence based cycles of Inquiry.

• The ability to work collaboratively and utilise my skills and strengths to contribute to the success of a team.

• Considerable and successful experience in mentoring and supporting colleagues in developing their practice. 

• An openness to new ideas, above the line thinking and ability to lead change.

These initiatives are all aspects in my ongoing Inquiry into what students need to develop in order to be successful. Learners. 

The strengths I would bring to this role are as follows:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit my expression of interest.

Yours sincerely

Christine Robson

Forrest Hill School