International School of Helsingborg, Sweden

 

Helsingborg, Sweden

In August 2011 I travelled to Sweden to work with the teachers at the International School of Helsingborg. For two days prior to the start of school the staff from all three levels of the school, primary, middle and high school, came together to get to know each other in different ways and to learn tools for collaboration which they plan to use during the 2011-2012 school year.

 I had had the opportunity to work with the  director of the School Mr Michael Moore in Fall 2009, at an ECIS conference. On his arrival in Sweden, Michael made the decision, that the staff at his new school would benefit from an engaging collaborative experience, which could set the stage for the new school year.

Michael and I planned the two days collaboratively by skype and they proved to be busy but fun and useful for the faculty.

Along with a facilitator led visioning exercise which will take place at the school in early October the faculty will be well prepared to work together productively, both efficiently and effectively,  during the 2011-2012 school year.

As teachers reflected in writing at the end of the session they felt energized and ready for a new year.  They had learnt a lot during the session  but they had also had fun!