Minnis Journals

For Education Leaders

Deep Work: Sunk on the treacherous shoals of time control in tough schools
Cal Newport’s concept of Deep Work was a best seller, and it developed a big following in the business world. As a result, the authors of this action research project focused on whether this concept would fit our schools, and if the perceptions and actions that school leaders, including teacher leaders developed while engaging in activities would promote deep learning, and consequentially influence their leadership effectiveness. Read more

Some constructive online activities
Australia’s largest citizen science event, the Aussie Backyard Bird Count, organised by BirdLife Australia will connect students with their natural environment, build scientific skills, and educate kids about life cycles, habitats and adaptations of birds in their area.
Participants will be asked identify and report birds in the area to help track and protect Australian birdlife. There’s a number of resources available online to support learning about local birds in a school’s area. They’ve been developed for grades 5-6 to support an active birdlife learning experience in the classroom or at home. Read more

Embrace every opportunity: what remote learning has taught us all
For those who embrace change, it has been exciting and provided new opportunities. Read more

Clever algorithms take the guesswork out of timetabling
Historically, schools formulated fixed lines based on the resources of the school, causing students to choose from the available options rather than guide the subjects that run.
Resource limitations can easily drive the school’s timetabling planning process and determine what students (and staff) are able to do, however, with automation and clever algorithms now available to help schools, students can be at the centre of the timetable – where they should be.
Read more

Australian graduates enjoy higher employment, better wages
It's good to be a graduate with better employment prospects and higher wages than three years ago. Read more

UN to discover what youth want
Lucy Stronach a student at the University of Western Australia, finalising her dissertation as part of her Law and Society Honours, has been named the Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations for 2021.
She will be consulting with young people across Australia during a listening tour and will focus on improving engagement with young people in rural communities as well as making the program more accessible to disadvantaged young Australians.
She will gather data on issues young people care most about, the future they want and involve them in decision-making. Read more

Why schools should be teaching kids – and themselves – to be e-Smart
According to Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, one in five children have experienced some form of cyberbullying. Read more