At BSB we’re all learners! Connecting, collaborating, creating... The school’s Professional Learning Community (PLC) is now into its third year and so far we have demonstrated that our invitational model for professional learning is firmly rooted in trust. This creates powerful professional capacity, with intrinsically motivated high-expectations for one’s own learning, that of others and the organisation as a whole. Our journey as a PLC has been well documented and includes: • the involvement of all staff in agreeing together on our Guiding Statements; • developing a school culture that supports the growth of all members of the school community (students, staff and parents); • building relationships beyond the walls of BSB, in order to support and advise staff as they develop their thinking and practice about professional learning; • developing ways of working underpinned by the following principles: collaboration; careful listening and meaningful questioning; critical feedback and professional learning sustained over time. We have recognised that “Within BSB we have the knowledge, skills and understanding to create the best solutions; practice that should transform the work of others and
together 62 Learning inspiring success
which we must therefore share; the optimism, positivity and trust to participate, co-operate and collaborate, the curiosity to ask questions and be open to hearing new answers.” said one of our Professional Learning Partners. We know that professional learning comes in many different forms – from whole school, staff led, collaborative learning days; obligatory tool-kit and compliance training; teams working together on joint projects; attending external conferences, through to individuals pursuing self-study. Regardless of what the learning focus may be, our broader values and ideas remain the same.
