What+is+currently+in+place+to+increase+engagement

Over the past four years Ballarat High School has made changes to the structure of the Leadership team. Roles and Responsibilities have been adapted and a change in the appointments of individuals within these jobs also. A focus from teacher centred teaching has changed to student centred learning, a learning framework has been developed and implemented and a focus towards individualising learning has generated more awareness in all areas of the school community in regard to teaching, learning and leading.

Ballarat High School wanted a Learning Community that
 * Personalised Learning
 * was Learning Centred
 * was Flexible in its offerings
 * was Innovative
 * parents would want to send their children to

Here is a snapshot of BEFORE 2006 to NOW at Ballarat High School.


 * ← 2006  ||  2007 →   ||
 * Staff vs Admin || Staff and Leadership Team ||
 * Managment || Leadership ||
 * Charter || Strategic Plan ||
 * Tradition || Innovation ||
 * Teacher at the centre || Learner at the centre ||
 * Individual Values || Shared Values ||
 * Effective School Model;POLT || Learning Framework ||
 * KLA's || Professional Learning Teams ||
 * Facilities || Space and Pedagogo ||
 * Vision || Shared Vision ||

Ballarat High recognised the NEED for shared learning and more focus on student engagement. Traditions have begun to be broken down, a new journey is travelling down a road less travelled and visions are growing.

Ballarat High School Learning Framework:



In 2009 the Learning Adviser Program was introduced. This developed and grew from a need being recognised and from conversations being had formally and informally, The Learning Advisory program is focuses on:
 * Personalising Learning
 * Putting Learning first
 * Every student in the school having a significant adult who is familiar with their learning goals, dreams and aspirations.
 * Challenging staff to ask "Where is that student"

The journey has begun, it is not complete, it is not a short journey and staff are gradually getting on board. //It is a work in progress//.

Part of the journey has focussed on building all staffs' capacities in understanding 'EI - Emotional Intelligence' and generating a shared language based on the seven skills of EI, which are; Ballarat High employed the skills and knowledge of the **Emotional Intelligence Research Unit** from **Swinburne University**. Dr Karen Hansen and Professor Con Stough in association with Genos pty ltd, have researched EI and developed an Assessment and Development program for the Educational Setting.
 * 1) Emotional self awareness
 * 2) Emotional expression
 * 3) Emotional awarenss of others
 * 4) Emotional reasoning
 * 5) Emotional self-management
 * 6) Emotional management of others
 * 7) Emotional self-control

All staff were taken through a revised program and ten Team Leaders, including myself, were taken through the accreditation program for schools led by Dr Karen Hansen. The program focussed on our own levels of EI, developing a shared language to use within the school with all staff and students to assist each other in understanding our own EI and assist students in developing their own EI, which in turn will assist in them developing individual learning goals to help them with their current studies and future desires. Further Information can be found at []