Cobham+Connections+Launch+2009

**Cobham Connections Launch 2009**


Our cluster was officially launched on the 2nd February 2009 with a Teacher Only Day for over 200 teachers from Hamilton Girls' High School and Hillcrest High School. Derek Wenmoth, Director of Core Education, gave an engaging keynote address entitled "Reaching for the Stars". Derek took us back to July 1969 where many of us remember sitting around a radio (YES, a radio) listening to the landing on the moon then moved us forward to present day and even allowed us to glimpse at things we had not yet seen operating before in a seamless 21st century presentation. His address inspired, excited and entertained us as we captured the essence of what a 21st century learner could be.

Kathy Paterson, the cluster Project Director, from Hamilton Girls' High School, presented an overview of the vision, goals, and plans for the cluster. Our vision is to move over the three years from a focus on our //**teachers as learners**//to the //**students and their learning**// with ICT integrated into the learning process.

All teachers attended at least one workshop where superb presentations included: **Lego, programming; position and control** (John Rodgers, Modern Teaching Aids), **Embedding Interactive Technologies into your Teaching & Learning -** using interactive w hiteboards and Schoolpads (Jenny Barrett, Breathetechnology),**Using ICTs to support key competency development** - with lots of free software to support the key competencies (Derek Wenmoth), **An introduction to Digital Storytelling in the classroom** (Malcolm Roberts, Wintec), **Introduction to Using Movie Maker (** Bob Bottomley, WIntec) and Mobile Technologies - Enabling 24/7 Learning **(** Toni Twiss, 2008 eFellow)

Learning area meetings were held to share current ICT use/practice and future ideas and thoughts for ICT growth in each learning area between the two schools. HODs led this session and each learning area selected two teachers to attend a 15 week Wintec course on **ICT and the learning process** as part of our cluster initiatives.

The EPS2.0 survey was completed by all staff who were eligible and will provide valuable feedback for Senior Management to consider at the Learning@school conference later in the month.

The day finished with the announcement of three further teachers from the cluster to attend the Learning@school conference. You can see their reflections about the conference here.

The cluster was very appreciative of the work by Debbie Greenhill from Hillcrest who worked tirelessly to ensure that all went well on the day, Hillcrest High School for hosting the event, the fantastic workshop presenters for their willingness to be part of our launch and to Derek for sharing his "half-full" philosophy and enthusiasm for 21st century learning.