Page 14 - Overview Booklet

What is involved?

Blue skies is about ongoing collaborative learning and
support. It seeks to build a unique and flexible learning partnership
between three Beginning Principals and a Sponsor. The partnership
also draws on other expertise, opinion and research as necessary.

The blue skies programme moves through an ongoing partnership
scheme with Pre-scheduled and Self-scheduled (must do and free
choice) learning components over approximately ten to eleven
months. The latter will be scheduled in consultation with a Sponsor.
Those wishing to be involved in blue skies must commit to both
Pre-scheduled and Self-scheduled learning components.

In designing the programme we recognise that principals are busy
people who face severe time limitations which can restrict formal
professional learning. On the other hand, if a concerted effort is
not made to design or structure professional learning, then it simply
will not happen. As a result, Beginning Principals may find
themselves professionally isolated.

The programme is a mixture of structure and flexibility. In other
words, there are some components which all blue skies participants
do together, and others which they do in Learning Squares where
they can decide the how, the why, the where and the when. The
programme is ‘kick started’ with the components explored in
pre-scheduled and self-scheduled learning but is expected to evolve
through individual/contexualized learning agendas. The key to
making the programme work are the relationships formed within
the Learning Square between the Sponsor and the Beginning
Principals.

This involvement does not exclude involvement in other
professional learning opportunities or more formal courses. Blue
skies is designed to work with, not against other learning forums.

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