2014 GL Staff Magazine

GRIP

Student Leadership Conference

Values in Leadership Page 6

Passing the Baton of Leadership Page 18

Great Schools Great Lives Page 20

One-On-One Leadership The Power of Mentoring Page 10

Conference Guide For School Staff Essential Conference Information Page 4

Latest Leadership Resources Page 13

How to Follow-Up the Conference Page 23

Conference Programs GRIP Student Leadership Conference

SEcondary Program 9:00am

Session 1

Primary Program 9.15am

Session 1

Being a Leadership Group of Influence

The Schoolyard Superhero

10:30am Morning Tea Break

10.45am Morning Tea

Optional Session: What Makes a Successful School Captain?

11.10am Session 2

10:55am Session 2

Lead Like a Strawberry Not Like a Watermelon

Leadership Everest: Succeeding in Student Leadership

Leadership Everest: Succeeding in Student Leadership

Electives #1 (choose 1) Option 1: How to Maximise Student Involvement

12.30pm Lunch Break

Option 2: How to Maximise Fun from Fundraisers

1.00pm

12:30pm Lunch Break

Session 3

Bringing Our Ideas Alive

1:00pm

Session 3

Q&A With GRIP Leadership Team and Final Review

Electives #2 (choose 1) Option 3: Creating Unity at School – Lessons from Nelson

2.30pm

Close

Mandela

Option 4: Creating House Spirit – Lessons from Cathy

Freeman

Q&A With GRIP Leadership Team and Final Review 2:30pm

Close

All sessions include main presentations, interactive activities, discussions, leadership games, and entertainment.

Programs are subject to change at any time.

Contents Essential Info 4 Welcome Information

4

Email: info@gripleadership.com.au Ph: (02) 8814 7211 Fax: (02) 9629 4574 Post: PO Box 6561

Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Web: www.gripleadership.com.au Social: www.gripsocial.com.au

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Resources Catalogue

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2014/2015 Conference Dates

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Featured Articles

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One-On-One Leadership

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Great Schools Great Lives

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How to Follow-Up the Conference Back at School

2013-2014 Conference Guide 3

Welcome Essential Conference Information For Teachers

Where to Sit

Where possible, school staff and accompanying adults are encouraged to sit with their students in the seats allocated by our ushers.

Morning Tea

Morning tea is provided for adults only. The GRIP Leadership team will inform you where this will be served.

Staff Session

This will be offered during the day at a small number of conferences where a suitable room has been made available to us. To offer a better experience for teachers, GRIP Leadership now runs a special full day event for educators called the ‘GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference’. As you are here at the student conference, you are entitled to a significant discount for the teacher’s conference. See page 22 or ask a GRIP team member for more details.

Resources

GRIP Leadership is constantly producing new resources to follow-up the conference, to explore different leadership topics and to provide tools for students and teachers. These resources, as well as badges, can be viewed and purchased at the Information Desk and an invoice sent to the school if you prefer.

Assistance

The GRIP Leadership team members are here to assist you with anything you require. Team members can be identified by the silver GRIP Leadership badges.

Review Form

Please see pages 25-26 for the ‘School Staff Review Form’. Your feedback on today’s conference would be greatly appreciated. You can hand this form to the GRIP Leadership team members at the Information Desk or at the door at the conclusion of the conference.

We look forward to meeting you throughout the day.

GRIP Leadership Team

4 Conference Guide 2013-2014

NOW AVAILABLE NEW RANGE OF LEADERSHIP BADGES

Great for recognition & DISCUSSION STARTERS $2 Each / 3 for $5 at the info desk

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2013-2014 Conference Guide 5

Values in Leadership “The greatest teachers I’ve ever met didn’t teach me facts from a text book. They taught me about myself and the kind of person I want to be.

Teachers don’t always realise the impact (influence) that they can have on a person’s life – you do make a difference everyday.”

A.M. in The Teacher, 2007

O

ver the last several months GRIP Leadership has conducted ‘Leading & Teaching’ conferences for teachers throughout Australia. One of the questions I posed to teachers during that conference was, “Can you to think of a time in your teaching career when something occurred and your response to that event was a very heartfelt ‘This is why I do this job!’?”

In discussion with one principal around some of the answers to this question this fine lady recounted to me that, how in response to the NAPLAN Y5 writing task (which I understand was about ‘Your Hero’) one of the Year 5 girls in her school had written about that principal. The writing covered in detail the principal’s care and concern for not only this child but others at the school. As she told me the details of this story and the impact it had on her tears welled up in her eyes - she explained how her personal values were observed by this young student.

Our discussion then went further as to ‘why, teachers do what

they do?’ and then a further clarifying question the group considered was ‘who as a teacher does not wish to see every child for whom you have some responsibility fulfil their full potential?’. The response was of course a resounding “Yes”.

From this discussion it became clear that it was the values that are held by a teacher that determine the teacher’s actions and behaviours. They are so evident to your students every day.

Values are often defined as an individual’s basic standards and beliefs about what is good and bad, acceptable and not acceptable, moral and immoral. Values are the beliefs which cause us to do what we do. A major part of a leader’s (teacher’s) role is to help promote values and principles that contribute to the welfare of individuals (students) and organisations (the school).

Values are assessed, developed and revised through our life, but many are relatively established by young adulthood.

Many things influence the value each of us holds. Figure 1 below illustrates some of the influences on our values. These influences often begin as soon as we are born and are diverse in their origin. However on many occasions teachers have confirmed to us that they are if not the most significant, then one of the most significant adults (or influences) in the life of many students in their classes.

Teachers/Educators Parents/Early Care Givers

Religion

Social Cultural Context

Peers

Organisational/Professional Cultural Context

Media

Books

Experiences

Figure 1. Influences on our values.

6 Conference Guide 2013-2014

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Values are important because they affect behaviour. Figure 2 provides a clear understanding of why people do what they do. What is most noticeable about human beings are their words and actions. Human behaviour (the tip of the iceberg) is primarily motivated by three internal motivations that is our attitudes, our needs and our values. Our values and needs determine our attitudes, which then determine our behaviours.

Attitude is a way of thinking that influences our choices. It is important to understand the difference between values and needs.

Behaviour Attitudes Values

Needs

Figure 2. The Iceberg of Human Behaviour

Values Motivated Behaviour: • • • •

What we should do What is right or reasonable What we or others expect for us What is for the good of others

Needs Motivated Behaviour: • • • • •

What we would do What is most comfortable or easiest What is most meaningful What works What is most natural for us

We act in accordance with our beliefs and values. This means that our beliefs and values have a significant influence on our leadership - that is how we make decisions and how we lead.

Our values must be worthy, that is they must cause us to act with nobility and respect towards ourselves and others.

The ancient Greeks suggested that virtue (or values) when applied would result in others living well. Such values are timeless, that is they are cross-cultural and cross generational.

The essence of such values are that they are activities rather than knowledge. Such values must be cultivated, exercised and practiced. We need to live our values. They are a way of being. continued on next page >

“Values are the beliefs which cause us to do what we do.”

2013-2014 Conference Guide 7

“We act in accordance with our beliefs and values. This means that our beliefs and values have a significant influence on our leadership.”

Values that are worthy and which lead to effective influence (as one ancient writer suggests) come from a commitment to others to: • Be Right - Truthful at all times • Be Real - Humility – having a proper view of myself • Be Relevant - Awareness of self and others and their needs • Be Relational - Commitment to an understanding of others

1

Be Right

Truth was the foremost virtue which crosses cultural and generational boundaries. The only way to be right is to have a commitment to truth – Truth is the ‘mapping of reality that corresponds to the way things are. Truth therefore is telling things as they truly are and living in a way that represents reality’. Truth must be a lifeline and our guide. Truth is necessary for any influence to take place that would lead to a partnership in living well. As a leader we must reveal truth, we must also realise that lying is one of the most dangerously corrosive and subtly disabling activities to be found in human life. Truth must be one of the leading values of any organisation or indeed in any relationship that values its own health.

2

Be Real

Being real means that my words and actions will be congruent.

As a teacher you will be aware that children have a built in radar that can easily identify a lack of reality between what they are told and what they observe. A person of influence is a person whose life is real and who understands and demonstrates true humility.

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3

Be Relevant

Influence comes about when those we seek to influence understand the relevance of what we do and say and how it applies to their lives. Without this practical relevance being demonstrated very little influence occurs. Awareness of the needs of others helps us influence in a way that is relevant.

4

Be Relational

Much influence and indeed leadership is more informal than formal. It comes out of a deep relationship and any leader (or teacher) seeking to influence others must be committed to the relationship. Such commitment comes out of a deep concern and understanding of others – from a desire to see others do their best.

The questions for us, as educators then, are: • Why do we do what we do?

• What are the values that drive in our teaching?

• What do we want to see as a result of our influence in the lives of the young people for whom we have some responsibility?

• Are we living lives that are: - Right - Real - Relevant - Relational These values must GRIP us to do the things we do.

Lock Next Year’s Conference Date Into Your Calendar!

2014/2015 Conference Dates secondary

PRIMARY

Coolangatta

27th Oct 2014

Mackay

20th Feb 2015

Toowoomba

10th Feb 2015

Geraldton

1st Apr 2015

Coffs Harbour

28 Oct 2014

Darwin

23 Feb 2015

Nambour

11 Feb 2015

Sale

27th Apr 2015

Tamworth

29 Oct 2014

Adelaide

27 Feb 2015

Bundaberg

12 Feb 2015

Bendigo

28th Apr 2015

Newcastle

30 Oct 2014

Canberra Opt #2

2 Mar 2015

Gladstone

13 Feb 2015

Ballarat

29th Apr 2015

Sydney Opt #1

31 Oct 2014

Sydney Opt #2

3 Mar 2015

Townsville

17 Feb 2015

Mt. Gambier

30th Apr 2015

Canberra Opt #1

3 Nov 2014

Brisbane

6 Mar 2015

Rockhampton

17 Feb 2015

Armidale

4th May 2015

Albury

5 Nov 2014

Perth

9 Mar 2015

Emerald

18 Feb 2015

Tamworth

5th May 2015

Ballarat

6 Nov 2014

Melbourne

13 Mar 2015

Mackay

19 Feb 2015

Moree

6th May 2015

Mildura

7 Nov 2014

Hobart

16 Mar 2015

Cairns

20 Feb 2015

Coffs Harbour

7th May 2015

Toowoomba

9 Feb 2015

Launceston

20 Mar 2015

Darwin

24 Feb 2015

Coolangatta

8th May 2015

Rockhampton

16 Feb 2015

Bunbury

27 Mar 2015

Adelaide

26 Feb 2015

Wollongong

15th May 2015

Townsville

18 Feb 2015

Geraldton

31 Mar 2015

Sydney Opt #1

4 Mar 2015

Forster

18th May 2015

Cairns

19 Feb 2015

Brisbane

5 Mar 2015

Newcastle

19th May 2015

Perth

10 Mar 2015

Sydney Opt #2

20th May 2015

Melbourne

12 Mar 2015

Bathurst

21st May 2015

Hobart

17 Mar 2015

Dubbo

22nd May 2015

Burnie

18 Mar 2015

Canberra

25th May 2015

Launceston

19 Mar 2015

Wagga Wagga

26th May 2015

Esperance

24 Mar 2015

Albury

27th May 2015

Albany

25 Mar 2015

Mildura

28th May 2015

Bunbury

26 Mar 2015

Port Augusta

29th May 2015

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grip student leadership conference

register today!

Register now for next year’s conference at the Information Desk.

One-On-One

Leadership A

s a Year 10 student I would sit for hours during the holidays with my text books sprawled across the study tables at the local library.

During the holidays most of my friends would be out at the nearby shopping centre or maybe the skate-park but not me, I barely left the library. You might assume that I was a dedicated student or perhaps low on social options, but neither of these were the case. So what would cause a normal fifteen year old boy from the suburbs to spend his days in the public library? Mentoring.

At the time, I didn’t know much about what mentoring was, but during those long days at the library I was being shaped, formed and moulded into the school captain that I would become two years later. None of this learning was from library text books, but from Rob. I had met Rob when I first started high school a few years earlier, and Rob was two years older than me. He was one of those students who always had a leadership position of some kind and was loved by every student in the school. Our mentoring relationship was not the result of a traditional structured mentoring program, but of what I might call ‘informal mentoring’ in which the regular time I would spend with Rob would prove to be significant in defining the person I would become.

It was probably just luck that I met Rob whilst standing behind him in a queue as a twelve year old, but it was a deliberate decision of mine to continue following in his footsteps for the next five years. What

10 Conference Guide 2013-2014

amazed me was the similar deliberate nature in which Rob would share his time, knowledge and experience with me. Although our school had not paired us up in a formal mentoring arrangement, it felt as if Rob was a world expert on mentoring. We would sit next to each other in the school band, but that’s about the extent of any formal arrangement.

Anything else was because he decided to befriend a young and enthusiastic kid called Ronan, because that’s the kind of guy he was.

In regards to the public library, that’s where Rob would go most days to study for his final Year 12 exams. Even though my Year 10 homework was hardly a

demanding task, I would take myself off to the library so that I could sit across from Rob at the other side of the open plan tables eager to learn anything that I could from the most revered student leader in our school. And it happened.

During our casual chats I learnt everything from his outlook on school work, teamwork and goal setting, to his favourite hotdog option (Nick’s Hot Dogs was just outside the library and we would go there most days for lunch).

By the time Rob graduated from our school, he had played an important role in developing me as a future student leader. Even more than that, he had developed me into the kind of leader that

The Power of Mentoring

wanted to mentor others. From there, the pattern continued. More than a decade on, I still visit the school regularly. When I spend time with the new student leaders, I can always pick out someone that has a strong streak of Rob’s leadership in them.

The beauty of my own story is that the mentoring occurred quite naturally. I have had plenty of discussions with teachers who have shared with me how their more structured ‘student to student mentoring programs’ never really get past first gear and often stall in the process.

Reflecting on my own experience and the many conversations I have had with teachers, I am able to offer four suggestions towards launching a successful ‘student to student’ mentoring program at your school, regardless of whether you are a primary school or secondary school.

Have a variety of mentoring settings.

Potential mentors and mentees alike will be inspired by different things. Creating mentoring environments in sport, music, art, leadership and other areas will create a more natural relationship, rather than assuming that mentoring in just one of these disciplines will be appealing or beneficial for all students.

Declare a short time-frame.

It is common for schools to work in one year time frames. However, some mentoring relationships simply do not go the distance and often feel like a failure if they do not last the year. I recommend launching a mentoring program that will last just one term, with only a few gatherings over the term. At the conclusion, invite students to continue only if they wish. You will find that those who do continue will draw amazing benefit from it.

Have your senior leaders as Provide resources but give mentors. freedom.

I hear many schools share that they prefer to protect their main group of student leaders for ‘special roles’ and then use another group of senior students as mentors in their program.

Structurally this is appealing, however in reality younger students want to feel that they are spending time with the most revered students in the school; the recognised student leaders. By utilising the senior leaders in this way, you will generate significant enthusiasm and participation for the younger students.

Mentoring is personal, and hence cannot be scripted. It is wise, however, to prepare mentors for their role in a general sense and to assist them in simple preparation for mentoring discussions. Student mentors should feel suitably supported going into the process and also feel comfortable to make their own decisions about how to help their mentees once the relationship is underway.

To assist those wanting to initiate more deliberate mentoring activities in their school, GRIP Leadership has developed a brand new resource called ‘Successful Student Mentoring.’

conference Notes Use this page to write down any thoughts or ideas that come up throughout the conference. We encourage you to share your ideas with other teachers!

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The Latest Collection of

Leadership Resources For Australian Students NEW THIS YEAR!

Conference Follow-Up Sessions (for students) $89 Format: DISC (include 5 DVD sessions and printable handouts) These five sessions will help you extend the conference topics to maximise the longevity of the conference experience. Each session is ‘self directed’ and can be completed by your student leadership group without you having to do any preparation.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Passing the Baton of Leadership (for students) $119 Format: DISC (includes printable participant booklets, leaders guide and DVD clips) Would you like your student leaders to run leadership training sessions for other students in the school? This resource contains everything needed for your student leaders to run a practical and hands-on leadership training day for their peers or for younger students. They can run the whole program themselves!

NEW THIS YEAR!

10 Ways That Student Leaders Can Contribute To Your School (for students and staff) $49 Format: DISC (includes 2 DVD sessions and printable manual) If your student leaders are stuck copying last year’s group or stuck in a routine of fundraising activities, then this resource will open up your new leaders to a broader way of thinking. Across two DVD’s, students are introduced to ten new ways of contributing to the school and can work through the included manual to make decisions about the most suitable direction they can take.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Successful Student Mentoring (for students) $49 Format: DISC (includes printable manual) We are often asked by students for suggestions on how they can be mentors to others in their school. This resource can be used as the blueprint for setting up a formal student to student mentoring program in your school or by individual students enthusiastic about influencing others on a one on one basis.

NEW THIS YEAR!

Leadership Activity Pack (for primary students) $39 Format: DISC (includes 50 printable activity sheets) Would you benefit from leadership activity sheets to use for quick classroom energisers, for early finishers, camp activities, Friday afternoons or for boosting your existing leadership training?

The Leadership Activity Pack is a disc containing 50 sheets ready to print and use, all with a leadership theme. Includes cross words, puzzles, quizzes, artistic exercises and more.

SIGN UP YOUR SCHOOL FOR A FREE ‘GRIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP’ TODAY AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ALL RESOURCES 2013-2014 Conference Guide 13

Bye Bye Bullying (for students) $69 Format: DISC (includes DVD presentations, printable resources, posters etc) This disc outlines the three step ‘Bye Bye Bullying’ process and equips the student leaders with the ready made tools and resources they need. No other bullying prevention resource available is targeted at empowering the student leaders in this way.

The Steps To Running Successful Events... And Everything You Need To Do It! (for students & staff) $29 Format: DISC (includes printable manual and electronic templates) On this disc you will find everything the students need to fast-track event planning and ensure success. It includes a proposal template, promotional tips, sample posters, budget template, checklists, sample assembly announcements, sample media releases and much more!

How to Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (for students) $49 Format: DISC (includes DVD presentation, printable handouts, activities and ideas sheets) This DVD presentation, activity sheets and other resources will help all students improve their public speaking skills so that they can deliver confident, high quality presentations every time.

Balancing Responsibilities (for students) $39 Format: DISC (includes DVD presentation, printable handouts and personal planning workbook) Student leaders find themselves with a new layer of responsibility to add to an already full list of priorities. This resource will help all students understand the areas they need to balance and the essential techniques for achieving this.

Leadership Everest (for students) $20 Format: Book

NEW THIS YEAR!

This book identifies nine common challenges that student leaders face and suggests ways to overcome them. If you enjoyed the conference session in which half of these challenges were discussed, then make sure you read this to get an understanding of all nine challenges.

101 Event Ideas for Student Leaders (for students) $20 Format: Book

NEW THIS YEAR!

As the title suggests, this book contains 101 fantastic ideas to help student leaders make a significant contribution to your school and the broader community. Chapters include events based on sporting, creative, environmental, cultural and charity ideas.

Great Australian Leaders (for students) $20 Format: Book This book contains the leadership stories of the men and women who have shaped Australia.

Reading this book, you will discover more about their influence and journey, as well as the key lessons that the rest of us can learn from their leadership.

SIGN UP YOUR SCHOOL FOR A FREE ‘GRIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP’ TODAY AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ALL RESOURCES 14 Conference Guide 2013-2014

How to Get a GRIP on Leadership (for students) $20 Format: Book To be an effective student leader you need more than popularity and ability, you need to develop a number of key values. In this book you will discover the four key GRIP values as well as practical ways to display these in your own leadership.

Eight Things I Wish I Knew When I Was School Captain (for students) $20 Format: Book Learn the ‘little-known’ lessons essential for any school captain, head girl, head boy or senior prefect. This book will give you a head start, by drawing on the insight of a previous school captain who has been in your shoes before.

What’s Your Story (for staff) $20 Format: Book The concept of ‘story’ is one of the most valuable leadership tools, but if often remains underutilised. Geoff Strong (Director of GRIP Leadership) will show you how to use the art of ‘story’ to be more effective in your leadership as an educator.

Leading Wisely (for staff) $149 Format: DISC (includes 7 DVD sessions and printable workbooks) This disc gives you everything you need to run the most insightful leadership day your staff has ever experienced. With each of the 7 DVD sessions, Geoff Strong (Director of GRIP Leadership) leads participants through a genuine leadership conversation.

How to Develop a Culture of Leadership in Your School (for staff) $59 Format: DISC (includes printable manual, workbook and audio presentation) Do you want your school to have a ‘culture of leadership’ such that every single student is developing their leadership skills? This resource pack for teachers lays out steps and ideas so that you can achieve this in your school.

10 Ways to Best Support Your Student Leaders (for staff) $29 Format: Audio CD This audio talk unpacks ten of the best strategies that we have seen implemented by teachers who oversee successful student leadership groups. A perfect resource for teachers new to the role of working with student leaders.

Why are most resources sold in disc format?

Not all resources have video content, but by giving you the documents on a disc you have greater flexibility in how you can use them at your school. Easily print out hundreds of work books, print out sheets as required, upload files to your intranet, or email items to other teachers. As long as they are only used within your school, you can make use of the disc items however you like!

SIGN UP YOUR SCHOOL FOR A FREE ‘GRIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP’ TODAY AND RECEIVE 20% OFF ALL RESOURCES 2013-2014 Conference Guide 15

Resource order form You can take resources with you today and we can invoice the school for payment if preferred.

Customer Details School Name:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Staff Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________ School Address:_____________________________________________ Suburb:____________________ State:________ Post:________ Email:________________________________________________________________________ School Phone:_______________________ How to submit this form Hand in at the Information Desk Post: GRIP Leadership

PO Box 6561

Baulkham Hills, NSW 2153 Fax: (02) 9629 4574 Email: info@gripleadership.com.au Phone: (02) 8814 7211 for queries

Please choose ONE below q I have provided payment with submission of this order form. q Please send an invoice to me at the school so that I can arrange payment within 14 days.

Resource Name

Cost*

Leading Wisely Staff PD Course (DISC)

$149.00

Passing the Baton of Leadership (DISC)

$119.00

Conference Follow-Up Sessions (DISC)

$89.00

Bye Bye Bullying (DISC)

$69.00

How To Develop A Culture Of Leadership Among Your Students (DISC)

$59.00

10 Ways That Student Leaders Can Contribute To Your School (DISC)

$49.00

How To Improve Your Public Speaking Skills (DISC)

$49.00

Successful Student Mentoring (DISC)

$49.00

Balancing Responsibilities (DISC)

$39.00

Leadership Activity Pack (DISC)

$39.00

10 Ways To Best Support Your Student Leaders (AUDIO CD)

$29.00

The Steps To Running Successful Events (DISC)

$29.00

Great Australian Leaders (BOOK)

$20.00

What’s Your Story? (BOOK)

$20.00

Leadership Everest (BOOK)

$20.00

101 Event Ideas For Student Leaders (BOOK)

$20.00

Eight Things I Wish I Knew When I Was School Captain (BOOK)

$20.00

How To Get A GRIP On Leadership (BOOK)

$20.00

Loud Noises Frisbee

$5.00

Leadership Badges

$2 each / 3 for $5

Postage and Handling - Flat Rate (If Required)

Quantity

Total Cost

$10.00

* All Prices Include GST

Total $

For Office Use Conference PRIM / SEC:

Submit: Post / Fax / Email

Resource(s) Given: Yes / No

Team Member:

Payment Rec:

Notes:

16 Conference Guide 2013-2014

Inv. Sent: Yes / No Date:

Invoice #:

SPECIAL OFFER!

low-Up the Online Fol Participate in , by co no extra st Conference at ck. pa p -U e Follow purchasing th . ils ta de r fo See back page

Online follow-up conference Do you find yourself saying “I wish I knew how to follow-up the conference”?

We have come up with a simple, efficient and hassle free way of making sure that you can schedule a structured follow-up opportunity for your student leaders.

To participate in one of our 45 minute online follow-up conferences all you need is an internet connection and a computer! No need for fancy video conferencing facilities (unless you already have them).

In this online session our main facilitators will revisit the key conference concepts and then build on the critical next layer of leadership lessons. As well as taking the information to the next level the session will include interactive activities and a special Loud Noises segment.

Get maximum value from the live conference by making the decision now to follow it up in a few months time.

The Details When

Choose one of the sessions listed below.

Cost

$80 per school (unlimited participants).

Instructions

Provided once you are registered.

Dates & Times (Select one)

Primary 24th April 2014 2nd May 2014 13th May 2014 15th May 2014 6th June 2014 18th July 2014 24th July 2014

10:30am 12:30pm 10:30am 10:30am 10:30am 10:30am 10:30am

Secondary 28th March 2014 24th April 2014 2nd May 2014 14th May 2014 16th May 2014 6th June 2014

10:30am 12:30pm 10:30am 10:30am 10:30am 12:30pm

(All times are Eastern Standard Time)

“This is the first online conference that we have participated in and both the students and I found it a very valuable experience.”

Stroud Road Primary School

Register now at the Information Desk or visit www.gripleadership.com.au/followup

Passing the

Baton of Leadership W

hen I was a student our annual sports day used to culminate in a relay race of “Passing the Baton”.

Little did I know, this typical school activity would form the basis of what I now believe to be a very effective model of student leadership. During the relay one person from each team would take off around the oval, carrying the baton as well as they could, then pass it over to another member of the team who would share in the responsibility for a few moments. The ‘pass’ was the trickiest part for most teams and many people would trip or drop the baton, causing them to fall short of their best. This meant that the team which usually won was often the team that worked the best together, rather than the team which was the fastest.

Student leadership in a school can work in a similar way. Have you ever helped develop a successful group of student leaders, only to have to start all over again the next year? This is where your school could benefit from the relay model and the idea of “passing the baton of leadership”. If student leaders are given the opportunity to pass on their leadership skills and values to others well before they get to the end, the standard and continuity of student leadership is likely to improve.

Students can begin training other students right now. Passing the baton of leadership is not about preparing for a handover at the end of the year; but rather about preparing others for leadership because it is a noble and necessary contribution right now. This can be done in a number of ways such as structured student-to-student training, mentoring sessions, informal group conversations or simply by being a role model for other students to follow.

18 Conference Guide 2013-2014

In considering how you might encourage your student leaders to pass the baton to others, the following ideas may be helpful:

In a relay race, everyone contributes.

Leadership is much more than a select group of students doing all the work towards practical projects. Your nominated leaders may be the first to run, but a relay requires them to pass the baton so that others can lead with them. A simple way to embrace this is to encourage your student leaders to include their peers as well as younger students in the organisational process, whenever they embark upon an event. This fosters an integration of additional students in the leadership environment, allowing participation from students who might otherwise be a spectator.

In a relay race, each team has to ‘want’ the baton.

As you would have experienced, some students may not want to be considered as a leader in the school. This can occur for many reasons; fear of responsibility, too much work, low self esteem, or the image of it being not fun or way too ‘uncool’. Students teaching their peers about leadership can be an effective way to transform a negative mindset towards leadership. A student may benefit significantly from having their peers teach them about what being a leader involves, how it can be rewarding, enjoyable and of service to others.

In a relay race, perfecting the pass may take time.

It may take time for you to experiment with the most suitable way for your student leaders to pass on their ideas, skills and values within your own school environment. For this reason, expect that it will take time and be willing to try different methods. It may be worthwhile asking your students how they think they could better pass on their knowledge, or learn from others. Your end ‘finish line’ is for students at your school to view leadership as an inclusive activity rather than an exclusive role. As you will know, changing school culture takes time but the rewards will eventually be enjoyed for many years to come.

In a relay race, every team needs a coach.

Passing the baton of leadership is about having students fill the roles as the runners on the track. As you know, a coach is both an encourager and a teacher of skills. If you feel that your current student leadership program is highly dependent on the time and effort of staff, consider gradually giving more responsibility to the students to do the running. You will probably find opportunities for this in both extracurricular leadership settings and also in your classroom setting.

GRIP Leadership has released a brand new resource called ‘Passing the Baton of Leadership’. This disc contains everything that student leaders need to run five leadership training sessions for their peers or younger leaders. It includes a printable leaders guide, participant workbooks and DVD clips.

As you reflect on how you might apply these simple ideas, remember the overall goal of the relay race analogy. Leadership is not about one person going the distance on their own, but about involving others so that collectively they can achieve something of which they can be proud.

2013-2014 Conference Guide 19

Great Schools Great Lives Will you settle for goodness or greatness?

“We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools... Few people attain great lives, in a large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of schools, companies and people never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good – and that is their main problem...

The good is the enemy of the great. This is not just a business problem. It is a human problem.”

Jim Collins, 2001

20 Conference Guide 2013-2014

A

s a young lawyer starting out in a legal career I was given some very sage advice by a much older and wiser solicitor who often used to say to me, “Near enough isn’t!” This advice given to me many years before ‘excellence’ became the catch cry, challenged me to always bring my best to whatever I did.

I am sure you have written on a student’s report ‘...could do better’. Why do we often accept less than the best? Whilst there is much to be admired in our culture, our concept of ‘she’ll be right mate’ or ‘near enough is good enough’ often inhibits us from deep fulfilment brought about by living a great life.

In 2001 Jim Collins, published a book entitled ‘Good to Great’ which was the culmination of five years of research into the difference between ‘good’ companies and ‘great’ companies. His research demonstrated that a great school will: • • •

Deliver superior performance relative to its mission.

Make a distinctive impact on the communities it touches.

Achieve lasting endurance beyond any leader, idea or set back.

Great schools and great lives flourish – that is, they fulfil their potential. How does this occur?

We suggest the following principles for building a great school and great lives:

1. People First

Many schools begin with a clear vision and strategy statement. However great schools attend to people first and strategy second. People are important.

Great schools get the right people ‘on the bus’ and move the wrong people off. That is, people who are in positions that are not fulfilling or not enabling them to achieve their potential are counselled to move on. People who are passionate about the school and are able to make a contribution to the team are invited to stay. This is true for us as individuals as well. We will never be fulfilled as individuals if we attempt to operate outside our gifting or abilities. I can recall as a young student seeking to earn some money during the holidays by working as part of a team in a factory. My task was to remove newly made cans from a conveyer belt using a specialty tool. I was totally inept at using the tool and this had a major impact on the performance of the team who had quotas to achieve. I was clearly the wrong person on the bus and soon asked to leave both for my own sake and the sake of the team.

People First

Perseverance

Promise

2. Promise

We must always speak the truth as to the exact circumstances we are confronting. Great schools confront the most brutal facts of their current reality yet simultaneously maintain absolute faith that they will prevail in the end. You may recall the story of the ‘Emperor’s New Clothes’. No one would confront the truth and simply wish to deny it until a young boy said what everyone knew, “He has nothing on.” It is only when we are realistic in our view of our school and ourselves that we can speak hope into our future. A vision for the future that is built on a foundation that has not confronted the brutal facts of reality builds on an unstable foundation.

3. Perseverance

Living a great life or becoming a great school does not happen overnight or in one big leap. This process resembles relentlessly pushing a giant heavy flywheel in one direction. At first pushing it gets the flywheel to turn once. With consistent effort it turns twice, then five, then ten, increasing momentum until – bang!

– breakthrough momentum really kicks in. Often we settle for second best. We never achieve the kind of breakthrough momentum that those living great lives or great schools can achieve. Many schools simply lurch back and forth with radical change programs, restructuring or moves that are reactionary to circumstances. Often what is needed is persistence at what we are doing with change in circumstances. Such persistence develops character. I have been privileged to be the founding chairman of GRIP Leadership and also the Halogen Foundation, which conducts the National Young Leaders Day. Both these organisations had very small beginnings. It seemed for some time that a lot of effort was being made with very little momentum. Having started with just 97 students attending a conference in 2007, this year GRIP Leadership will see over 22,000 students attend conferences through the length and breadth of Australia.

Progress

Passion

4. Passion

A story told by the philosopher and scholar Isaiah Berlin, described two approaches to thought and life using a simple parable: the fox knows a little about many things but the hedgehog knows only one big thing very well. The fox is complex; the hedgehog is simple. And the hedgehog wins. We need to understand what we are truly passionate about and what it is the school (or as an individual) we can be best in the world at? My friend and educator, Dr Mark Strom, suggests this is what he calls ‘Brilliance’, the area in which we shine - the thing that we are very best at and passionate about.

Great schools and great lives are systematic and consistent in focusing on what they are passionate about and what they can be best in the world at.

5. Progress

Great schools and great lives have an adherence to core values combined with a willingness to challenge and change everything except those values. We must keep clear the distinction between what we stand for (which should never change) and how we do things (which should never stop changing). Great lives and great schools continue to progress far beyond meeting key performance indicators. They translate this purpose into BHAGS (big hairy audacious goals) to stimulate continued progress.

2013-2014 Conference Guide 21

grip LEADING & TEACHING A conference For Educators

2014 Topic: Good to Great A new way of viewing leadership...

“The GRIP team presented a thought-provoking and inspirational day. I am returning to my school re-charged with a new way of viewing leadership.”

Dianne Cowderoy, Sherwood Ridge PS So many practical applications...

“An excellent program, it’s not very often you come across a PD that has so many practical applications.

Well worth attending. Thank you.”

Louise Judge, St Stephens School The ‘GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference’ was launched in 2013 to provide a fresh approach to leadership professional development for educators. After an enormously successful series of events, a brand new program has been developed for 2014 based on the research of Jim Collins and his work ‘Good to Great.’

“We don’t have great schools, principally because we have good schools... few people attain great lives, in a large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life. The vast majority of schools, companies and people never become great, precisely because the vast majority become quite good – and that is their main problem... The good is the enemy of the great. This is not just a business problem. It is a human problem”. (Jim Collins, 2001)

What we will investigate at this conference

How does a ‘good school’ become a ‘great school’? The previous article on pages 20-21 reflects the topics and principles that we will investigate at this year’s GRIP Leading & Teaching Conference.

Whether you are an experienced principal or a first year teacher, you can easily apply the principles from this conference to your school, your leadership and your students!

Being held at 9 locations in 2014 (All events 9am-3.30pm) 16th June – Launceston TAS 17th June – Melbourne VIC 18th June – Canberra ACT 19th June – Sydney NSW 20th June – Newcastle NSW 23rd June – Mackay QLD 24th June – Brisbane QLD 26th June – Adelaide SA 27th June – Perth WA

Cost

Regular Ticket: $250 per person GRIP Gold Member Schools: $100 per person* Cost Includes course fee, catering, materials. *Max 4 people per school at discounted price.

If you are not sure whether your school is a ‘GRIP Gold’ member then ask our team!

Register now at the Information Desk or visit www.gripleadership.com.au

Follow-Up How to

the Conference Back at School

S

tudents often tell us that the conference has helped them significantly in their development as a leader and that they now have great ideas and EXPECTATIONS of what they are going to achieve when they get back to school.

but will still draw student involvement. This gives the student leaders a chance to use their new skills straight away.

Here are five ways to utilise GRIP Leadership in following-up the conference:

Resist the urge to put off the project until ‘after the holidays’ as it is better to hold an event straight away and keep momentum going post conference (even if it is not perfect).

At the completion of the project, undertake a thorough debrief as to why it was successful or why it was not successful. You will find that this event will energise the leaders to become even more active, and it will give you a real context to discuss leadership without having to rely solely on referring to the theory presented at the conference.

Have a debrief meeting

Utilise additional leadership resources

It is important to make sure that this expectation is transformed into ongoing activity and does not fade after the experience of the conference. This is why GRIP Leadership is committed to offering support to schools in the area of conference follow-up.

Within a week of attending the conference it is important to have a meeting with all members of your leadership team. This meeting should have three parts to it: 1. Have each student fill out the ‘Moving Forward’ page that is near the back of their conference booklet. These answers can then be shared with the whole leadership team.

2. Revisit any unfinished discussions that occurred during the conference sessions. Look back through the booklet to identify these.

3. Have the whole team develop a list of goals (between two and five) that you will collectively aim to achieve.

Stay connected with GRIP Leadership through GRIP Social (www.gripsocial.com.au)

Our team continually creates articles, blogs and videos with tips and ideas to help student leaders. We have developed a dedicated online community especially for this. It is totally free and can be thought of as an educational ‘Leadership Facebook.’ We encourage you and each of your leaders to stay connected with GRIP Leadership so that you can have access to these great follow-up tools.

It goes without saying that teachers rely on a variety of classroom resources when teaching maths, science, art... the list goes on.

For this reason we have developed a wide variety of leadership resources targeted specifically at students and teachers who are involved in student leadership. These resources are very practical, user friendly, and based on the needs of teachers just like you. In the centre of this magazine there are a number of pages that provide an overview of the resources available or you can visit our website at www.gripleadership.com.au. All ‘GRIP Gold’ schools receive a 20% discount off resources. To find out more about this see page 24.

Participate in the GRIP Leadership Online Follow-Up Conference

This is an opportunity to extend the conference experience.

It takes you beyond what you and the students have learned here today. With interaction from our team members including games, quizzes and sessions for you and your students, it is a great way to have the students revisit their expectations! The good news is, the conference takes place AT YOUR SCHOOL – all you need is a computer and internet connection. For more information see page 17.

Get started on a short term project

Decide on an event or project that will be possible for the student leaders to complete within the next two weeks. Do not try and achieve something challenging to start with, make the project something that does not require too much organisation, 2013-2014 Conference Guide 23

GRIP GOLD MEMBERSHIP As an attendee of today’s conference...

Your School can join the ‘GRIP Gold Membership’ Program for free!

‘GRIP Gold Membership’ gives your school convenient and easy access to the best that GRIP Leadership has to offer. We are 100% committed to supporting schools that choose to utilise GRIP Leadership events and resources for developing leaders in their school.

You can easily save your school $500-$1000 per year with the Grip Gold Membership benefits.

2014 Benefits to GRIP Gold Membership • Up to 4 discounted tickets for teachers to attend a ‘GRIP Leading & Teaching’ conference. See page 22 for details.

• 20% discount off all leadership resources.

• Early entry at GRIP Student Leadership Conferences to access the best seating.

• Quarterly member’s publication containing the latest ideas for student leadership.

• GRIP Gold Membership card and unique member number to allow all staff at your school to access the membership benefits.

Become a member today whilst membership is still FREE. Visit the conference Information Desk to join on the spot and start benefitting from your membership instantly.

School Staff Review Form Name:_________________________________Position: __________________________ Date: ______________________________ School: _____________________________________________________Conference Location: _____________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please indicate how you heard about this Conference? (Tick as many as applicable)

Brochure in Mail

Email

Fax

Magazine

Previous Attendance

Recommendation

Teachers Conference

Other: _______________________________

What did you enjoy most about this conference? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What could be improved with this conference? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you considering registering students for next year’s conference?

Yes

Possibly

No

If No, why? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please circle one number in each row below to rate the following aspects of the event:

Needs Review

Average

Outstanding

Booking Process

1

2

3

4

5

Suitability of Venue

1

2

3

4

5

Main Presentations Content

1

2

3

4

5

Activities

1

2

3

4

5

Professionalism of Team

1

2

3

4

5

Relevance of Overall Program

1

2

3

4

5

For any category above that you scored 3 or lower, please indicate any ways we can do this better: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have any suggestions of topics for future conference sessions or workshops? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Which time of year is convenient for your school to attend this conference: (Tick as many as convenient)

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

Other: ________________________________

Continued on next page...

Is the ‘GRIP Leading & Teaching’ Conference for Educators (see page 22) something that you are interested in attending?

q Yes

q Possibly

q No

Have you been able to read any of the magazine articles whilst here at the conference today? If so, please indicate which articles were most appealing and useful for you. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are willing and able to assist us by providing a positive comment below that we can include as a quote in our advertising material it would be greatly appreciated: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Feel free to leave any additional feedback here. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank You For Your Feedback!

THE ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORK FOR STUDENT LEADERSHIP The place that you will find the answer to almost anything to do with student leadership!

www.gripsocial.com.au STEP 1

Visit www.gripsocial.com.au and follow the link to ‘like’ us on facebook.

STEP 2 Use a QR scan app on your smart phone to go directly to gripsocial

Look around and see the things that might be helpful to you already.

STEP 3

Keep an eye on your facebook feed for updates of new info on gripsocial.

Stay connected with the GRIP Leadership team.

We would love to help you on your journey!

Photos from today’s conference will be available online at www.gripsocial.com.au

Conference ‘Follow-Up’ Pack +

+ + MUCH MORE!

We are committed to making it possible for this conference to have a lasting impact on your students and your school community.

Instead of purchasing resources one by one, this resource pack enables you to go home today with our most recommended materials at a heavily discounted price.

RESOURCE PACK INCLUDES: BRAND NEW! 2014 Conference Follow-Up Sessions 5 new sessions for today’s attendees to take the conference further (RRP $89)

BRAND NEW! Passing the Baton of Leadership 5 new sessions for your student leaders to run for other students (RRP $119)

BRAND NEW! Online Follow-Up Conference Choose a 45 minute session that suits you (see page 17) (RRP $80)

NEW RANGE! $100 of Other Resources of Your Choosing Select up to $100 of any other resources of your choosing. Excludes badges. (RRP $100)

Total Value: RRP $388

Resource Pack Price: $149

This offer is available to all schools who are GRIP Gold members. If you are unsure whether this is you, enquire at the Information Desk as the GRIP Gold Membership is FREE to join.