Jeff Davis is the Executive Principal at Varsity College. Varsity College is now the second largest school in Queensland with over 3000 students. Student performance in all year levels is of a very high standard and has continued to improve in the last few years.
When looking at where to begin, Jeff’s question to staff was “What do you build first, the car or the road?” The invitation was to just get started. Their focus is learning and the pedagogy to support the learning, not the teaching.
Ideas from Jeff’s presentation are aligned to Covey’s Seven Habits for Highly Effective People.
Begin with the End in Mind
Varsity College strives to build on ‘4’ pillars of success; academic excellence, performing arts, sporting excellence and community involvement. This allows for all students to find an area of excellence and therefore experience success every day.
Sharpen the Saw
Work on practice; focus on pedagogy and learning. Performance measures; collaboration, innovation and achievement.
Be Proactive
Introduction of successful innovations, for example, the Chinese Immersion Program. Extended Chinese Immersion is an intensive language program to prepare students for entry into the traditional Chinese Immersion Program following in Years 8, 9 and 10 where students will receive 50-60% of their schooling in Chinese.
Seek First to Understand
Focus on whole school improvement;
- Build an effective leadership team
- Develop organisational climate.
Synergise
Develop key partnerships that enable students to live in the real world, for example, www.deforestation.com.
Thought provoking message:
Work your way around the roadblocks, otherwise don't start.
