The first week back came and went in a whirlwind of activity. I had forgotten quite how manic the first week, and I suspect the second, can be.
The main thing is I did manage to make a few steps in the direction I want to be taking this year. I started parking across the campus meaning every morning and every evening I am getting a little bit of exercise, a little bit of thinking time plus the odd networking opportunity as I walk across the site. Its only between 8 and 10 minutes of walking in either direction however that’s 16 to 20 minutes more exercise than I used to be getting. Also looking at my weekly step count over the last month or so shows an increase in a positive direction.
Linked to the above I am also trying to be more visible. I am very conscious that during my first year in my current post I seldom was seen out and about, something which I am embarrassed or possible even ashamed of. As such I want to ensure this year that I am more visible and in order to assist in this I sent out my first annual briefing to all staff. It has to be noted that in the busy period of the first few weeks only around 10% of recipients actually clicked the link to the document however it’s a start. One reflection I have also realized that the document was never sent to the students so this is something which I think I will need to address at some point during the school year. In addition, am making an effort to go on walkabouts to be visibly seen around the school. Currently am focusing these on the start of each day in order to help with the odd lost student however this is something I want to make sure and build on during the course of the year.
The first week was also about resetting priorities for the year and identifying which projects I will prioritize and which will need to take a back seat. On Saturday I had a good chance to brainstorm one of the current issues which I intend to focus on during the course of the year and in turn this highlighted something else I need to make time for: brainstorming and discussing issues and ideas. Coming out of the discussion, and it was a pretty informal discussion with lots of ideas and thoughts being thrown around, I felt I had a greater understanding of the issues surrounding the project in hand and in doing so had a better idea as to the best route forward.
So its one week down and………… I am stopping myself there before I count the number of week until half term, Christmas or the end of the year. Life is too important to wish away so on that note I will focus on week two and on building on the first week back.
Technology and Learning