LAPORAN DARI LONDON

Post Graduate Certificate In School Leadership & Management, King’s College, London, United Kingdom COHORT 4 18 Mei – 10 July 2009 Daily Report by Rafiei Mustapha Day 2/week 5, 16th June (Tuesday) Topics /Subjects learned School Placement : The Cavendish School, Hemel Haemstead 1.Introduction to the school Journey to the school took about one hour fifteen minutes by bus, train and taxi. We reach the school at 8.45 am. After registering our name at the visitors counter, we were welcomed by Miss Hilary Moore, school Deputy Head. We were brought to the staff room and briefed with the school overall picture. She touches on the school management structure and specifically narrowed down to her duty as Deputy Head. The school is governed by team of management headed by Head Teacher with the assistance of two Deputy Head Teacher and six Assistant Head Teacher. 2. School Tour The tour around the school were guided by four stage three students. It is a school way of giving training in self confidence and instilling a skill of interpersonal as well as a sense of responsibility to students They show us around to all sections beginning with sports facilities to the class room, workshops, art gallery, swimming pool and end up at the main administration block. Along the way we have an opportunities to talk to few teachers in the middle of the teaching and learning session. We were truly amazed with the students oriented approach demonstrated by them. In one particular session at the workshop of technology subject, we observed the full students participation in the activities involving tools and machine with teacher stand cautiously at one corner, offering advices and helps to those needed. By chance we came across the Science practical session, where students were busy in their task, cutting and examining the inner parts of animal heart with small knives. 3. Session with Head Teacher, Dr. Stephen Pam The schedule to meet Head Teacher at 11.00 am was punctually followed. Dr. Stephen Pam came out to greet us together with Deputy Head Teacher from Knight Temples School, Bulldog who is attached there for two weeks training before appointed to the post of Head Teacher. This is indeed an indication of the professional status held by Dr. Stephen Pam as a consultant to the policy of Head Teachers appointment in UK. The two hour session in his office touches on almost all aspects as expected in that visit. He started with some historical background of the school before he came over as a Head Teacher some time in 2004. He revealed the school background before and after his presence. He was focusing more on teaching and learning and to the outcome of lesson. Teachers were reminded to be more students oriented in their teaching and learning approach. He encourages group discussion for improvement since observation on teaching and learning were not welcomed by teachers. Among the programme he launched was Students Progress Monitoring every ninth week with details and more specific comments to help students moving forward. The voice of students were given due consideration in school management with the formation of Students Council. Students representative was invited to the School Governors meeting at least once a year. We were also briefed on the School Development Plan for 2008/2009, to 2010/2011 and School Development Plan for 2008 – 2009. 4. Session with The Second Deputy Head, Mr Martin Serrao: The discussion covered the areas under his responsibilities such as staffing issue, students planner and students council with representative from every stage and a privilege to be invited to meeting once a year with Management team and School Governors. He elaborates further on the system of monitoring individual students progress in academic using master chart. Reflection The school management should be focused on the service quality rather than beautifying the physical aspect of the school. The mentality of school head should be shifted from merely checker to resource provider .