Workshop

A two day orientation workshop for the Middle Years Action Research (MYAR) project was conducted at the Mercure Sydney Airport Hotel on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 July 2005. This workshop was only open to schools that are participating in the MYAR project.

Each region sent approximately 14 delegates:

• around 12 staff representing the participating primary and secondary schools, including both executive and teaching staff
• the SED or regional officer coordinating the project within the region
• the regional School Promotions Officer.

Pedagogy, curriculum development and change management impacting on the developmental needs of adolescents in the middle years were key themes of the workshop. The presenters were leaders in these areas of education.

• Ian Lillico, a Churchill Fellow, is a practising principal and highly acclaimed champion of the middle years of schooling with particular expertise in boys education.
• Nick Norris is a former school principal with expertise in effective change management.
• David Smith, formerly in the Education faculty at The University of Sydney, has extensive experience in researching reflective practice and school reform.

Delegates worked in regional groups to identify potential action research questions, develop action plans that establish goals and define strategies for implementation.