At XP Trust we collaborate together to create our learning expeditions. On every other Staff Day, we all work out of one of our sites so that we can share collective ideas and collaborate to create and powerful learning expeditions that deepen learning through making authentic and meaningful connections between subject disciplines.
One of the key parts of the expedition planning process is when staff collaboratively plan and create a staff model product. We call this Jeff’s Law, after the world renowned educator, Jeff Robin whose mantra is that adults must ‘do the project first’ if they are to truly understand variables, connectivity and relevance for students. Products should be driven by teacher passion and engagement if they are to have a meaningful and long lasting impact on learners. By giving staff time and space to do this, unsurprisingly they create beautiful work – just like our kids!!
One of our teachers shared their thoughts on the impact of of our Staff Days by stating the following:
‘It felt amazing to sit in consultation and collaboration with, in my opinion, some of the best teachers in the country. Everyone had a voice. Everyone’s ideas were respected and it felt like we were all working towards something really special with a common goal. Subject integrity was upheld whilst links and connections were built…[the Staff Day] has revitalised my spirit and made me so excited for the next term. I wanted to write this down as a lasting reminder to myself of why it is so special and such a privilege to work at our schools.’
Check out the pictures below for powerful draft ideas and beautiful work!!
