5th iNet International Conference, 26 28 November 2008

What did I get out of it?

What makes the iNet aspiring principals programme so engaging is that what you get out of it depends very much on how much you put in. It is an excellent opportunity to undertake informed reflection with colleagues from around the world, and to share and gain from each others’ experience, skills and knowledge. Contributing your own ideas to the discussion is an essential part of the learning experience.

The programme challenged my thinking and allowed me to clarify and focus my own vision. It reaffirmed many of my beliefs, but also provided a forum to question and challenge some of my beliefs and assumptions in a collegiate and supportive environment. It also helped move the debate away from my own school and organisation and onto the international stage.

What were the key areas and questions for me?

• What are the ‘Essential learnings’ for the 21st century?
• School design
  What are the requirements of 21st century school(ing)
  Molding schools to the learning needs of the students, as opposed to molding students to fit the school
• Workforce development
  Do we know the skills of the workforce?
  Are we using the skills of all staff?
  Is the right person doing the right job?
  Do all adults involved in children’s learning need to be teachers?
• What is strategic leadership and moral purpose?
  Strategic abandonment
  No moral purpose means no leadership
• New technologies
  How do we incorporate the exponential rise in technology?
• International perspective on leading future schools
  What does it mean? What does it look like?
• How do we build leadership teams?
• How do we raise achievement whilst transforming learning?

Kevin Rae
Deputy Principal of Clear Water Bay School in Hong Kong (soon to be Head of Primary at the British International School, Jakarta, Indonesia.)