Taking the lead
08 September 2009
Three schools are leading the way as finalists in the Queensland University of Technology Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership, Rebecca Perry writes.
Cannon Hill State School
Many Voices - One Vision
Cannon Hill staff looked around the world for best-practice educational models to inspire their work - now, they are generating their own success through a 'culture of thinking' at the Brisbane school.
Principal Chris Ling said a key strategy to improve students' behaviour, engagement and achievement levels has been a three-way process of reporting portfolios of work to parents and teachers, which is also encouraging greater responsibility and goal-setting.
Teachers are also embracing a range of professional development opportunities to extend their own knowledge.
'We value our teachers and their capabilities, and it is a very stimulating environment where we are seeing great work put into action,' Ms Ling said.
'People think professional development is just about sitting teachers down but here, we have high level discussions and it allows a quick implementation of results.'
Cannon Hill State School website 
Building pride ... Students from Cherbourg State School proudly display their artwork. The school is a state finalist in the Showcase Award for Excellence in Leadership.
Cherbourg State School
A Whole Village
Cherbourg principal Jo Ross believes you have to understand the 'whole person' to achieve real educational success, particularly in a community where youngsters face a range of challenges.
So a focus on strong, academic achievement and building pride in their Indigenous culture, while improving student nutrition, health, wellbeing and safety has been steadily improving results.
'We have high expectations of staff and students and that continues to build on itself, because success grows and we ensure that every child experiences what it is like to be successful,' Ms Ross said.
'You can't do literacy and numeracy well if the children aren't healthy and feeling good about themselves, but when they are proud, strong and smart they can achieve anything.'
Cherbourg State School website
Let's stay put ... that's the message at Rasmussen, Kelso, and Weir state schools in Townsville.
Riverway Schools Cluster
Rasmussen, Kelso, and Weir state schools
Let's Stay Put: One Child, One School, One Year
High levels of student mobility are being investigated in studies around the world, and the Let's Stay Put program has been helping reduce the problem in three Townsville schools.
Rasmussen State School mobility support teacher Petrece Dwyer said for the past three years, the cluster schools have been working with researchers from James Cook University to encourage families to stay put for a year, and work through issues rather than change schools.
'Our schools are not only reducing mobility but building teacher and school capacity to respond positively to mobility,' Ms Dwyer said.
'In the context of high levels of mobility, schools need to consider ways to support students and their families to improve educational outcomes.
'The program has developed the role of the mobility support teacher in schools, and has supported teachers to adapt their teaching strategies for more positive student transitions.'
The federally-funded program has been expanded into Cairns, Rockhampton, Logan and other Townsville schools.
Click here for more information about the Showcase Awards.
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