Leadership and learning across small rural schools

Educational leadership in Australia has undergone dramatic change over the past two decades, becoming increasingly complex as globalisation has profoundly affected and influenced schools and schooling.

Mentoring in the leading across effective small schools program : the perspectives of 'critical friends'

In this chapter, I refer to the reflections of Wendy Graham and Carolyn Scott who were ‘critical friends’ or mentors working alongside school leaders in the Leading across Effective Small Schools (LAESS) program. As recently retired principals of small rural schools, the mentors offered support, encouragement and advice to LAESS participants in order to enhance collegial cross-school improvement and develop leadership skills. These perspectives provide another important dimension to this book, because a mentor or critical friend can be more objective and see the bigger picture more clearly. Mentors are removed from day-today school life, yet importantly these mentors have ‘insider’ or situated knowledge about small rural school contexts and leadership which assists current school leaders to reflect on their practice and grow as leaders. The chapter also draws on comments from mentors, which emerged in independent formal evaluations of the LAESS program conducted by Carol Oakley.

Psychosocial precursors and correlates of differing internalizing trajectories from 3 to 15 years

Psychosocial precursors and correlates of parent-reported internalizing behavior trajectories across the age span of 3–15 years were explored using a community-based cohort of Australian children. Six internalizing trajectories had previously been identified for both girls (N = 810) and boys (N = 874) in this sample, comprising stable low, high, decreasing, and increasing pathways. Infancy and toddler temperamental traits (inhibition/shyness, irritability), behavior problems, and parent–child relationship difficulties constituted significant risks for subsequent problematic internalizing profiles. Several gender-specific trends were evident, with temperamental reactivity and shyness, less optimal parenting, and peer difficulties more salient for girls on increasing trajectories whereas externalizing problems were more prominent among boys on increasing trajectories. Factors associated with recovery from elevated symptoms included higher levels of social competence, better parent and peer relations, and more positive school adjustment. Findings suggest that individual characteristics and relationship experiences may be involved in the development and course of internalizing problems.

Primary science specialist learning program – report of delivery

The Primary Science Specialist (PrimSS) Professional Learning Program consisted of a fifteen day program, of which Deakin delivered 5 days of pedagogy and content in science education, followed by 3 days of leading change in schools and developing other teachers' capacities. Delivered in several phases, it was possible to provide teachers with ideas and models for them to trial within their schools and to report back to the group, during the program.

Geelong kindergarten participation rate project evaluation of phases one and two, 2011-2012

Anecdotal evidence indicated that some kindergartens in the Geelong region were suffering from significant absenteeism or children arriving late or leaving early. Some educators felt that this was linked to the status of Health Care Card Holders. The research project analysed kindergarten attendance records to determine if there was evidence to support the educators’ beliefs. Data did support some of the conjecture. Researchers then undertook interviews with Educators and parents to investigate possible reasons for irregular attendance.

Early peer play interactions of resilient children living in disadvantaged communities

Resilience for children is positive adaptation and a capacity to thrive despite challenging circumstances. Children demonstrating resilience are seen to have strong cognitive skills and have developed positive peer relationships. The ‘Supporting Resilience’ project is exploring the conditions and characteristics of resilience of young children and their families who live in rural, regional and metropolitan communities that are economically and socially disadvantaged. The aim of this paper was to report on pretend play and social competence within the early years’ cohort of the ‘Supporting Resilience’ project. Twenty-six children aged 4–6 years who were identified as resilient by their preschool teacher were involved in the study. Results obtained from the Child Initiated Pretend Play Assessment and the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale when the children were at pre-school found significant relationships between object substitution and social interaction (r = .414, p < .05). Children who could elaborate play with unstructured objects were less likely to be socially disconnected (r = –.49, p < .05). There was no significant difference between geographical locations for play ability. Significant difference for social competence was found between geographical locations. By situating play as individual development within a socio-cultural environment the relationship between children's pretend play ability and social peer play interactions are considered within early childhood development and resilience literature.