I was delighted to read that my colleague Karen Le Sage, ICT Co-ordinator at Temple Moor High School Science College, also loves the Asus Minibook, having used it now for a couple of months...
On the RM site Karen says "At this stage, it has only been used for personal use although this did involve giving a demonstration to year 6 students in a school in the Bahamas about new technology! These students found the computer great and could not believe the cost. They quickly learnt how to use the web camera and found the portability excellent. The school is going to buy some for it's students based on the demonstration they saw. The design is great in that it has a good size keyboard and well balanced. It is easy to use anywhere and has everything you need in a minibook. I was only able to test wireless connectivity at home but it was excellent. It also worked very easily with airport wireless as well. Extremely easy to use. The interfaces were very good and self explanatory. It even allowed me to play music from my ipod without itunes. The built in camera was also another excellent feature. Excellent value for money as it stands and I know there will be further improvements that will make it even better. I like it's portability, it's excellent wireless and the ease with which you can record sound and vision etc. Overall I think it is excellent for use in schools and consequently we have planned for 170 of them in the new build."
It's great to know that talented colleagues at the front line see the potential of the Asus Minibook and are beginning to order them for the new schools where I know they will have a massive impact on teaching and learning.
Chris
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
My colleague John Ellard sent me this following the visit by colleagues from Stockholm...
"Hi Chris, Glad to see that you are back blogging. As I wrote to you by email- we had a fantastic trip to Leeds and the whole of the group from Stockholm was so impressed by what they saw. I can truly say that two places of real note hit me very hard when in your city- the commitment and progress which were apparent. I was so impressed by West Oaks SILC and the absolutely wondeful atmosphere we saw amongst staff, pupils and the Head teacher. Also of real note was the visit to South Leeds High and the remarkable improvements through difficult times that Colin Bell has led. Our colleagues from Stockholm came away with some wonderful impressions. I hope to hear from you soon Chris. Best regards John Ellard, ICG Sweden"
It was great to be able to showcase some of the best of Leeds. Thanks to all the schools involved, the colleagues who gave up their time and the team here at Merrion, led by my colleague Allyn Pazienza, who did a brilliant job organising and managing the visit.
Chris
"Hi Chris, Glad to see that you are back blogging. As I wrote to you by email- we had a fantastic trip to Leeds and the whole of the group from Stockholm was so impressed by what they saw. I can truly say that two places of real note hit me very hard when in your city- the commitment and progress which were apparent. I was so impressed by West Oaks SILC and the absolutely wondeful atmosphere we saw amongst staff, pupils and the Head teacher. Also of real note was the visit to South Leeds High and the remarkable improvements through difficult times that Colin Bell has led. Our colleagues from Stockholm came away with some wonderful impressions. I hope to hear from you soon Chris. Best regards John Ellard, ICG Sweden"
It was great to be able to showcase some of the best of Leeds. Thanks to all the schools involved, the colleagues who gave up their time and the team here at Merrion, led by my colleague Allyn Pazienza, who did a brilliant job organising and managing the visit.
Chris
Sunday, 4 May 2008
'One Million Green Fingers'
It was great to hear about Yorkshire Water's latest project which will help create sustainable and healthy gardens in schools across Yorkshire...
In the first year the following schools in Leeds will be involved:
Strawberry Fields Primary School
Kippax Greenfield Primary School
Fountain Primary School
Rothwell St Mary's RC Primary School
Middleton Primary School
Harewood CE Primary School
St Theresa's RC Primary School
Bramhope Primary School
Westgate Primary School
Hunslet Moor Primary School
Whitecote Primary School
Cobden Primary School
Pudsey Greenside Primary School
Pudsey Tyersal Primary School
Horsforth St Mary's RC Primary School
Yeadon Westfield Junior School
Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School
I hope that more schools will take up this fantastic opportunity to create something special in their school grounds either an allotment, a sensory garden, a woodland corner to help children learn about their environment, sustainability, energy conservation, locally sourced and healthy food, water conservation and recycling.
CONGRATULATIONS to Yorkshire Water who are building on the success of their water cooler scheme with another real winner! If you want to know more you can visit Yorkshire Water's website at yorkshirewater.co.uk.
Chris
In the first year the following schools in Leeds will be involved:
Strawberry Fields Primary School
Kippax Greenfield Primary School
Fountain Primary School
Rothwell St Mary's RC Primary School
Middleton Primary School
Harewood CE Primary School
St Theresa's RC Primary School
Bramhope Primary School
Westgate Primary School
Hunslet Moor Primary School
Whitecote Primary School
Cobden Primary School
Pudsey Greenside Primary School
Pudsey Tyersal Primary School
Horsforth St Mary's RC Primary School
Yeadon Westfield Junior School
Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School
I hope that more schools will take up this fantastic opportunity to create something special in their school grounds either an allotment, a sensory garden, a woodland corner to help children learn about their environment, sustainability, energy conservation, locally sourced and healthy food, water conservation and recycling.
CONGRATULATIONS to Yorkshire Water who are building on the success of their water cooler scheme with another real winner! If you want to know more you can visit Yorkshire Water's website at yorkshirewater.co.uk.
Chris
My colleague Mike Haworth contacted me about the blog entry after we talked at Blenheim...
Mike reminded me that the remarkable behavioural provision here in Leeds is down to the hard work and dedication of colleagues working at the sharp end. The hard work, passion and commitment of colleagues in the SILCs has helped us focus and deliver at the hardest end of our provision.
I know that there is still a lot to do but it is brilliant to see the progress we have made and it's impact on these young people.
Chris
Mike reminded me that the remarkable behavioural provision here in Leeds is down to the hard work and dedication of colleagues working at the sharp end. The hard work, passion and commitment of colleagues in the SILCs has helped us focus and deliver at the hardest end of our provision.
I know that there is still a lot to do but it is brilliant to see the progress we have made and it's impact on these young people.
Chris
National Excellence in Supplementary Education Awards 2008
Colleagues have told me that as in so many areas of our work we have here in Leeds two of the five national winners of Excellence Awards for supplementary awards. The Leeds Chinese Community School and the Leeds Community Mandarin School received their awards at the House of Lords.
Fantastic news.
Chris
Fantastic news.
Chris
Friday, 2 May 2008
Sarah Tarrant, Higher Level Teaching Assistant at Middleton St. Mary's C of E Primary School sent me this on behalf of the Eco-Warriors and Garden Club.
"Dear Mr Edwards, I am currently working at Middleton St Mary's and on reading your online blog wanted to share with you some of our successes. We have set up an incredible team of Eco-Warriors that work daily within school focusing on saving energy, recycling and composting. We now recycle everything from our milk and fruit time in key stage 1 and Foundation. All paper is collected, used in models and drawing or collected by the E.Ws and placed in recycling bins on site. We are renovating our school garden and have been incredibly fortunate to be chosen by the Yorkshire Water scheme and have a team of volunteers and funding from them to kick start our project. We will be having an open day to reintroduce the garden space to parents and supporters and I will be letting you know a date if you would be free to attend. In the meantime, if you would like to visit us and meet with the Eco-Warriors, it would be a fantastic boost to their cause and recognition of all their incredible hard work. We are going to apply for the Blake Shield competition that recognises projects in conservation and any support you could give us towards this would be invaluable. We look forward to hearing from you.
Mrs Sarah Tarrant, HLTA."
It is great to hear about some of the brilliant things going on at Middleton St Mary's CE Primary School. Thank Sarah.
Chris
"Dear Mr Edwards, I am currently working at Middleton St Mary's and on reading your online blog wanted to share with you some of our successes. We have set up an incredible team of Eco-Warriors that work daily within school focusing on saving energy, recycling and composting. We now recycle everything from our milk and fruit time in key stage 1 and Foundation. All paper is collected, used in models and drawing or collected by the E.Ws and placed in recycling bins on site. We are renovating our school garden and have been incredibly fortunate to be chosen by the Yorkshire Water scheme and have a team of volunteers and funding from them to kick start our project. We will be having an open day to reintroduce the garden space to parents and supporters and I will be letting you know a date if you would be free to attend. In the meantime, if you would like to visit us and meet with the Eco-Warriors, it would be a fantastic boost to their cause and recognition of all their incredible hard work. We are going to apply for the Blake Shield competition that recognises projects in conservation and any support you could give us towards this would be invaluable. We look forward to hearing from you.
Mrs Sarah Tarrant, HLTA."
It is great to hear about some of the brilliant things going on at Middleton St Mary's CE Primary School. Thank Sarah.
Chris
I was invited to present the certificates to the group of primary Higher Level Teaching Assistants who have successfully completed our own 'Education Leeds Certificate in Physical Education'...
These talented colleagues have not only completed the HLTA course but also completed 60 hours of training in PE and Sport to become another key aspect of our workforce reform programme. This amazing group of highly trained and highly skilled support staff are now able to deliver this vital aspect of the curriculum.
I am particulary grateful to these talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues who have demonstrated what is possible and to Max Amesbury, Helen Plimmer, Linda Gibson and Monica Tomkiss for their leadership, commitment, passion, creativity and enthusiasm that has made it happen.
Photograph to follow!
Chris
These talented colleagues have not only completed the HLTA course but also completed 60 hours of training in PE and Sport to become another key aspect of our workforce reform programme. This amazing group of highly trained and highly skilled support staff are now able to deliver this vital aspect of the curriculum.
I am particulary grateful to these talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues who have demonstrated what is possible and to Max Amesbury, Helen Plimmer, Linda Gibson and Monica Tomkiss for their leadership, commitment, passion, creativity and enthusiasm that has made it happen.
Photograph to follow!
Chris
Now I am seven!
On 1st May I reached an important milstone in my professional life. I have been here in Leeds for seven years and that is longer than I have ever stayed anywhere! The important thing is that life in Leeds gets better everyday and I am surrounded by talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful colleagues who are day-in day-out making a real difference for children and young people... whatever it takes.
Thanks to everyone who has made the last seven years, the best seven years of my professional life.
Chris
Thanks to everyone who has made the last seven years, the best seven years of my professional life.
Chris
Sorry that I have been away!
I am sorry that the blog has been quiet now for over three weeks but sometimes life crowds in on you and you can be overwhelmed. However, I am now back and so is the blog!
Chris
Chris
Last week
I saw Sylvie Guillem dance again on Friday evening. She was dancing with Russell Maliphant in “Push” at the Lowry in Manchester and once again it was incredible … her power, control, movement and magic were simply breathtaking … and for 90 minutes this talented, brilliant, gorgeous and wonderful woman touched and enriched my life.
Who else touched my life last week? Amongst the meetings, the routines, the paperwork, the trivia and the hassle, I had my own magic moments. I attended the opening of the brilliant new building at John Smeaton Community College, where John Daulby, Marilyn Steele and a fantastic team have created something really special. I visited Guiseley School where Paul Morrisey and his team are doing a great job. Paul had arranged for two of his sixth formers to give me a tour of the school and I met his wonderful CHIPS team of peer mentors. I also visited Oulton Primary School where Maria Townsend and her team are releasing the magic at this wonderful little primary school.
What connects John, Marilyn, Paul and Maria is their commitment, passion, energy, determination and hard work which are touching, shaping and changing lives in these three schools. I am also grateful to those colleagues who have in their very special ways supported me over the last few weeks.
Keep the faith.
Chris
Who else touched my life last week? Amongst the meetings, the routines, the paperwork, the trivia and the hassle, I had my own magic moments. I attended the opening of the brilliant new building at John Smeaton Community College, where John Daulby, Marilyn Steele and a fantastic team have created something really special. I visited Guiseley School where Paul Morrisey and his team are doing a great job. Paul had arranged for two of his sixth formers to give me a tour of the school and I met his wonderful CHIPS team of peer mentors. I also visited Oulton Primary School where Maria Townsend and her team are releasing the magic at this wonderful little primary school.
What connects John, Marilyn, Paul and Maria is their commitment, passion, energy, determination and hard work which are touching, shaping and changing lives in these three schools. I am also grateful to those colleagues who have in their very special ways supported me over the last few weeks.
Keep the faith.
Chris
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)