As Teacher in Charge (TIC) of Computing at YYYYY SHS (YSHS) and ZZZZZZZ SHS (ZSHS), one of my duties was to attend "Senior Staff" meetings. At these meetings I contributed to policy formulation and decisions regarding the general running of the school.
While at ZSHS in 1995 and 1996, I worked in conjunction with the Deputy Principals to develop the school’s policy and teaching programme for the Year 8 "Special Computing" group which was a selected group of students with a particular interest in computing. I developed policy relating to the way in which the students were selected by their primary teachers and conducted information sessions for primary staff to inform them of the processes.
In 1993 and 1994 at YBSHS I developed, conducted and reported on a survey of Year 10 students to gauge their computing background. The "report" consisted of a discussion of the results with the principal. The findings of the survey were used to produce a profile of student computing ability as a guide to changes that were needed. In both years, the survey confirmed that students did need to develop their basic computing skills and that the existing school programme was targeting that need.
As TIC at ZSHS I am responsible for the development of the Computing Department’s policy in relation to achieving the goals of the School Development Plan. My specific role this year was to modify the existing Computing Department policy and Action Plan to better reflect this year’s Whole-School Plan. (please see Attachment 11 – School Plan)
I was a member of the inaugural Information Technology committee at ZSHS. The committee was composed of a cross section of staff at the school and included the principal and school registrar. As TIC of computing, my role was to provide the technical guidance required by committee members. Our prime tasks was development the school’s IT "policy" as a 'draft' document. The aim in developing such a document was to ensure "ownership" by the entire school.
I continued to have input into the IT Committee during this year via my nominated 'delegate'. From the beginning of Term 3 2000 I will again attend IT Committee meetings and have personal input into school-wide IT planning.
Attached (please see Attachment 12 - Principal) are copies of feedback received from my former principal at YBSHS and my current principal at ZSHS. These notes were quite unsolicited and came as somewhat of a surprise. They testify to my ongoing willingness to give of my own personal time for the benefit of the school and its staff. I am currently involved in a ’mentoring’ scheme with one of the teachers at MSHS who has expressed a desire to learn more about the way the school network operates.
In 1994 and 1995 I was a member of a National Professional Development Project (NPDP) curriculum committee established by the Educational Computing Association of Western Australia (ECAWA) and coordinated by Dr WWWWWW of aaaaaaaaaaaaa University. The task of the committee was to restructure the existing lower school Robotics units to better reflect the philosophy of Student Outcomes. As a computing teacher with a science background, my specific task was to create a new Robotics unit suitable for the Science curriculum. I completed this task with the creation of a unit called "Robotics - How it Works" and also contributed to the development of the other Robotics units. The new units were distributed to schools as part of the NPDP CD ROM. I also conducted joint information sessions for Technology teachers about the new units at the 1995 NPDP Technology Conference held at aaaaaaaaaa University. Information about the Robotics units is available for teachers on my Internet Web Site.
My status as an ‘authority’ on robotics in schools is evidenced by the fact that in 1998 ECAWA held a weekend camp for teachers focusing on my material. The camp was called "Jim Fuller’s Robotics Camp". (please see Competency 1, Attachment 1 - Strategies) At the camp I presented a number of sessions describing my resources.
In September of 1998 I attended a meeting of computing teachers faced with the task of restructuring the Year 12 upper school course "Industry Information Technology (IIT)" within a time frame of just a few weeks! I was closely involved in the re-writing process via email with the chairman of the group and contributed to its final structure. My Web site contains background information and advice to teachers intending to offer IIT at their school.
I am a member of the ZSHS School Council and Treasurer of the Council. As the Treasurer I participate in all decisions made by the Council of an educational and financial nature. My most recent task was to co-ordinate the change in the financial management of the school canteen to put it on a more professional footing in preparation for the introduction of the GST. As a result of my negotiations the Canteen now has a business 'advisor' whose role is to manage the accounting and staffing issues related to the canteen. Part of my input in the process was to negotiate the advisor’s role and duties. In the past this role was taken on by teaching staff on a voluntary basis with less than desirable outcomes, particularly in relation to the supervision of canteen staff superannuation accounts. The new processes I have helped put in place will alleviate many of the problems of the past.
As the chairman of the School Council "Finance Committee" I oversee the allocation of Council funds to different Learning Areas based on applications from teaching staff. I am also responsible for the day-to-day management of the School Council accounts and generation of the monthly financial report.
In summary, I have been, and continue to be, deeply involved in school development and curriculum change at a school and system-wide level. My long experience in Science, Electronics, Robotics and Computing have made me a valuable resource in a wide range of areas involved with school and in curriculum planning State-wide.