March 25, 2011

St Pauls The British School Sao Paulo Brazil

St Pauls the British School in Sao Paulo Brazil has a long history.This is their 85th school year. As they move forward they are working to incorporate an effective collaborative culture amongst both the teachers and students.

Almost 2 years ago I met Anne and Siobhain the pre primary and elementary school principals at an ECIS conference in Hamburg Germany. Since then they have been regularly convening Learning Community Groups at their school. 


During the next 2 days I will be working with a group of 10 teachers to develop their facilitation and coaching skills. It is a goal to expand their capacity for developing Professional Learning Community groups.


Our first day has just ended and it was busy, thought provoking but also fun!  

Day Two dawned with a group of 40 teachers who participated in a morning introduction to Professional Learning Community work. This will, we hope, set the stage for increased involvement in the voluntary PLC groups which have been meeting for the past 18 months.  In the pm our group of 10 teacher leaders reconvened, debriefed the morning and continued our work. We completed 2 successful consultancies and used a Collaborative Assessment Conference to look closely at a students art work.


I believe the teacher group now feels increased confidence to take on the role of facilitators and expand the groups meeting at the school. I know they now all deserve a relaxing Sunday before they return to school on Monday!


Now Bruce and I take off  for 2 days to the Iguassu Falls before attending the AASSA conference in Campinas.