First ASL meet 2021

 

Last week all of our Across School Leaders got together for the first time in 2021. Responding to the current climate, we had the option to attend the meeting physically or online. The ASL meeting provided the opportunity to meet and discuss how work was getting off the ground across the initiatives and also take some time to delve into the Leadership framework and reflect on what we had been reading and applying.

There was lots of content covered throughout the day and also time to check in with each other and build connections with newer members of the group. 

Overall 3 main ideas/topics stood out as we drew the meeting to a close. 

Firstly, Covid was on top of everyone’s radar because of Auckland school’s experiencing 2 lockdowns before week six of term one.The session was to reflect on how our roles change and adapt and so do all the roles within a school. Jill reminded us that responses will vary across all of our schools and this highlighted the importance of spending time at the beginning of the year to understand the context of each of the schools we are working in. Opening up understandings will impact the way that we approach initiative meetings and whole ACCoS events. Making things accessible remotely will mean that we remain connected. 

Secondly, we spent time discussing how to have conversations that bring problems from below the line to above the line. Focusing on moving forward when faced with a challenge and to focus on strengths and what will help us improve rather than ruminating on the problem. Alison guided our coaching session and we explored the types of questions that might be useful for making this move above the line.

Lastly, a term that stood out was ‘adaptable leadership’. Understanding that there is not a one size fits all approach to leadership. We had a big focus on leadership with Madeline and after working through examples of practice we discussed ways in which we could be flexible, drawing on different leadership styles as we work with different individuals in different contexts. 

A great start to 2021 that had us thinking about how our roles and leadership styles will adapt to suit the current climate and contexts of all schools in the ACCoS for the year ahead.