As I am sure you all know 21st September is the United Nations International Day of Peace...
British filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley, launched the film project, ‘Peace One Day’, in 1999 to document his efforts to create the first ever annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence.
Education Leeds, in partnership with Together for Peace and Grangevale Homes, have organised ‘Respect for all faiths’ event featuring Terry Waite as Keynote speaker on 21st September 2007.
Children and young people are our greatest hope for World Peace and we must inspire, encourage and motivate them to become ambassadors for Peace. The event brings together children and young people from Leeds schools, along with representatives from the Leeds Interfaith group. In the Leeds context and globally, respect for all faiths is key in bringing about greater understanding and to resolving conflict. It is a testimony of our strengths in Leeds that
We want all our children and young people to join in the programme for equality, peace and justice and to help us promote community cohesion. We have developed the Stephen Lawrence Education Standard to promote race equality, tolerance and respect in our schools and this summer we launched our new Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education which provides an exciting and comprehensive framework to develop respect for all faiths.
The 21st September will be an exciting event with film clips from the ‘Peace One Day’ movie, and an opportunity to listen to Terry Waite talking about his experience of being a hostage in Lebanon and his determination to champion ‘Respect for all faiths’.
I hope to see many of you there.
Chris
Thursday, 13 September 2007
It's a sad reflection on the world that happiness is in such short supply and that so many people are searching for it. I realised a long time ago that happiness is a state of mind not somewhere you get to if you have more money, more possessions and a bigger house and car. Someone told me yesterday about another colleague who has been diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't get her face out of my head. As a result I couldn't sleep again and last night I found this on the internet...
"Dance Like No One's Watching
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with, we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said...
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way, so, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one.
Stop waiting, until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy... Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So,
Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt and
Dance Like no one's watching. "
Author Unknown
Keep the faith and remember the things that matter.
Chris
"Dance Like No One's Watching
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with, we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D Souza. He said...
"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin -real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way, so, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one.
Stop waiting, until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy... Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
So,
Work like you don't need money.
Love like you've never been hurt and
Dance Like no one's watching. "
Author Unknown
Keep the faith and remember the things that matter.
Chris
It's grat to be able to share success stories especially when they are about some of our target groups. My colleague Sue Elmer from Social Services sent me this...
"I have been asked by Councillor Lancaster to pass on these good news stories which we heard about at the Foster Care Liaison Group meeting last week. The young people concerned had exceeded all expectations in their recent examinations. Jonathon Oakey has been accepted at Thomas Danby College for further study after achieving B's and C's in his recent GCSE exams. Similarly, Carl Daggit has been accepted at Leeds College of Art and Design after being awarded a prize in a national art competition. Natasha Granger has been accepted at the College of Music. Wayne Healey has been accepted at Bradford Unuiversity on the social degree. We are aware that many other young people have achieved similar success and a celebration event is being held on the 1st November."
Brilliant!
Chris
"I have been asked by Councillor Lancaster to pass on these good news stories which we heard about at the Foster Care Liaison Group meeting last week. The young people concerned had exceeded all expectations in their recent examinations. Jonathon Oakey has been accepted at Thomas Danby College for further study after achieving B's and C's in his recent GCSE exams. Similarly, Carl Daggit has been accepted at Leeds College of Art and Design after being awarded a prize in a national art competition. Natasha Granger has been accepted at the College of Music. Wayne Healey has been accepted at Bradford Unuiversity on the social degree. We are aware that many other young people have achieved similar success and a celebration event is being held on the 1st November."
Brilliant!
Chris
Our developing relationship with Stockholm means that another group of colleagues for the city are coming over in two weeks time...
As part of this visit, we are delighted to offer colleagues the opportunity to attend a seminar about getting the most out of your life – having the energy to maximise your learning and teaching capacities – no matter what your age. Mats Peterson, who has been voted best public speaker in Sweden, aims to enhance people’s understanding of how the body functions, how habits influence wellbeing, and how small changes can reap enormous positive benefits in all aspects of life. An expert in nutrition and health and fitness, Mats has worked with Stockholm City Council, schools and teachers.
The seminar will take place on Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 4pm to 6pm at The Venue, Leeds College of Music, Quarry Hill, Leeds. Places are free and can be booked by emailing your name, organisation and contact details to: ed@educationleeds.co.uk.
Don't miss out on an opportunity to connect, network and learn... remember that successful critically requires us to be safe, happy and healthy!
Chris
As part of this visit, we are delighted to offer colleagues the opportunity to attend a seminar about getting the most out of your life – having the energy to maximise your learning and teaching capacities – no matter what your age. Mats Peterson, who has been voted best public speaker in Sweden, aims to enhance people’s understanding of how the body functions, how habits influence wellbeing, and how small changes can reap enormous positive benefits in all aspects of life. An expert in nutrition and health and fitness, Mats has worked with Stockholm City Council, schools and teachers.
The seminar will take place on Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 4pm to 6pm at The Venue, Leeds College of Music, Quarry Hill, Leeds. Places are free and can be booked by emailing your name, organisation and contact details to: ed@educationleeds.co.uk.
Don't miss out on an opportunity to connect, network and learn... remember that successful critically requires us to be safe, happy and healthy!
Chris
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
I went on to Woodkirk High School to yet another STEPS celebration...
I joined my brilliant colleagues Chris Bennett, who coordinates the STEPS programme, Jonathan White, headteacher at Woodkirk and Tony Mallard, headteacher at Fountain Primary School. We were there to celebrate the achievment of ten parents and carers who had completed the STEPS programme with three of our fantastic learning mentors from Woodkirk, Fountain and Blackgates Primary School.
Once again I was bowled over by the passionate commitment of the facilitators and the impact the programme has had on the mums... this programme really does change lives. If you need to find out more about the STEPS programme contact Chris Bennett at chris.bennett@educationleeds.co.uk.
Chris
I joined my brilliant colleagues Chris Bennett, who coordinates the STEPS programme, Jonathan White, headteacher at Woodkirk and Tony Mallard, headteacher at Fountain Primary School. We were there to celebrate the achievment of ten parents and carers who had completed the STEPS programme with three of our fantastic learning mentors from Woodkirk, Fountain and Blackgates Primary School.
Once again I was bowled over by the passionate commitment of the facilitators and the impact the programme has had on the mums... this programme really does change lives. If you need to find out more about the STEPS programme contact Chris Bennett at chris.bennett@educationleeds.co.uk.
Chris
I spent the early part of the evening with colleagues from the Council planning our input to the 'Good To Great' Conference on 26 September...
It is great to be part of a team working on something together and to use your strengths and talents together to make people understand about why we all love Leeds, the journey we have been on here in our city, our hopes and dreams for the future, the power of teamwork and the impact of distributed leadership in achieving brilliant outcomes and devlivering great services.
Chris
It is great to be part of a team working on something together and to use your strengths and talents together to make people understand about why we all love Leeds, the journey we have been on here in our city, our hopes and dreams for the future, the power of teamwork and the impact of distributed leadership in achieving brilliant outcomes and devlivering great services.
Chris
I spent the day with the secondary headteachers and the college principals...
We are trying to build a consensus around the way forward on 14 - 19 here in Leeds and it was a really positive and productive day with some incredibly talented colleagues who are making a real difference across the city and achieving good outcomes... the challenge is how to take that more consistently to great outcomes. We have agreed on a series of commitments and a programme of work to take this forward... so watch this space!
Chris
We are trying to build a consensus around the way forward on 14 - 19 here in Leeds and it was a really positive and productive day with some incredibly talented colleagues who are making a real difference across the city and achieving good outcomes... the challenge is how to take that more consistently to great outcomes. We have agreed on a series of commitments and a programme of work to take this forward... so watch this space!
Chris
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
I went on to the Leeds Initiative's 'influencing the big agendas' session at the Bangladeshi Centre...
The session had brought together people from grassroots BME community organisations, staff from BME voluntary organisations, representatives from BME faith organisations, BME workers from a range of public sector agencies, BME community activists and workers in public agencies with a responsibility for delivering to BME communities.
I had been asked to deliver a short session on the challenges we face in education, the progress we have made and our proposed improvement priorities... a short session!
Anyway the session went down very well... our real challenge is to learn from what is working and to work with parents and carers, communities and young people to continue to improve outcomes for our underachieving groups.
Chris
The session had brought together people from grassroots BME community organisations, staff from BME voluntary organisations, representatives from BME faith organisations, BME workers from a range of public sector agencies, BME community activists and workers in public agencies with a responsibility for delivering to BME communities.
I had been asked to deliver a short session on the challenges we face in education, the progress we have made and our proposed improvement priorities... a short session!
Anyway the session went down very well... our real challenge is to learn from what is working and to work with parents and carers, communities and young people to continue to improve outcomes for our underachieving groups.
Chris
I started my day at Woodlands Primary School...
I had written to Chris Walton about his wonderful OFSTED inspection outcome and again about his results. I think the tone of my second letter had upset Chris and I am sorry about that... it was intended to be both challenging and supportive. I was attempting to know more about the challenges schools like Woodlands face and how we can better configure our services to help drive better outcomes.
I visited the school and I was astonished at what I saw... this is a school going places under Chris' very skilful leadership; leadership that extends to everyone in the school. It's wonderful to visit a school in challenging circumstances where the team are delivering the basics and confident enough to do things differently. The focus on data and monitoring all aspects of what the school does is deeply impressive and very obviously having an impact.
As always the question you want to ask is what makes Woodlands Primary School such a brilliant learning place? The answers...
I had written to Chris Walton about his wonderful OFSTED inspection outcome and again about his results. I think the tone of my second letter had upset Chris and I am sorry about that... it was intended to be both challenging and supportive. I was attempting to know more about the challenges schools like Woodlands face and how we can better configure our services to help drive better outcomes.
I visited the school and I was astonished at what I saw... this is a school going places under Chris' very skilful leadership; leadership that extends to everyone in the school. It's wonderful to visit a school in challenging circumstances where the team are delivering the basics and confident enough to do things differently. The focus on data and monitoring all aspects of what the school does is deeply impressive and very obviously having an impact.
As always the question you want to ask is what makes Woodlands Primary School such a brilliant learning place? The answers...
- Chris' strong, focused, confident and passionate leadership;
- a young, talented, enthusiastic and determined learning team;
- clear values and beliefs driving all aspects of the work of the school;
- a focus on positive behaviour and discipline, linked to the PDC;
- an exciting, relevant and rewarding curriculum focused around the basics;
- great teaching within a wonderful learning environment;
- high expectations of every child and the whole learning team;
- regular and shared tracking, monitoring and interventions;
- hard work by everyone involved!
Chris and his learning team are doing a brilliant job and have built something really special at Woodlands Primary School.
Chris
Monday, 10 September 2007
Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz
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