What does this mean for my school and the teachers and learners here?

The cluster will promote, connect and provide opportunities for teachers to sustain and embed learning opportunities for schools using ICT. There will be a range of learning and collaboration opportunities for Management, Classroom teachers and special interest groups from the regions schools. Many of these will be at no cost and where there is cost this will be managed for the greatest benefit of the region.

Associated Schools

When can we start being involved?

Any School in Hamilton can join the Connected group and join with others who are looking to move e-learning forward as a region. Events appear in the calendar on this site and the leadership schools are 

What is the Governance Structure?

There are six schools within the leadership team and these schools will be responsible for contribution to 

co-ordinate a group of associated schools. The group is to include the Principals and representatives from each of these schools. The schools are. 

 

School	Principal	Address
Hamilton East Primary	Pippa Wright	Hamilton East School Dawson St Hamilton
Hamilton Girls' High School	Mary Ann Baxter	PO Box 1267 Hamilton 3240
Ohaupo Primary School	Sue McLocklan	Rd1 Ohaupo Waikato 3881
Rototuna School	Mike Sutton	P O Box 12287   Chartwell  Hamilton  Ph 07 853 2470 Fax 07 853 2471  principal@rototunaprimary.school.nz
St Andrews Middle School	Keith Jackson	P O Box 10177  Te Rapa  Hamilton 2035 Ph 07 849 2819  Fax 07 849 3760     keith.jackson@standrewsmiddle.school.nz
Southwell School (Lead School)	Royce Helm	P O Box 14015  Enderley  Hamilton Ph 07 8552089 Fax 07 855 9023 royce.helm@southwell.school.nz

What are the Values of the Cluster

•   Access for all - all schools can participate whether or not they are ready to take up broadband services
•  Responsibility to region - the cluster is to enhance learning opportunities within the wider educational community (primary, intermediate and secondary sectors)
•  Distributed capacity - developing coherent and increased leadership capacity and ICT capability throughout the region
•   Strategic Planning - clearly identifying our preferred future and strategically implementing both the process and critical steps to achieve it
•   Teacher opportunity - the funding is to give teachers the greatest quality learning opportunities in order to improve understanding of the contribution that ICTs can make to student learning.
•  Student Learning - opportunity for greater student voice and connectedness
•  Fostering partnerships - to broaden and extend collaborative and networks within and beyond the Region
• Innovation - innovative practice utilising network tools and innovative efficiencies

What is the definition of a ‘regional’ cluster?

A ‘regional’ cluster is not defined by a geographical boundary or definition such as district, region or province. They are envisaged as ‘super-clusters’ that could be characterised by:- 

·     Having a significantly broader reach than existing ICT PD clusters. 

·      A strategic focus on developing ICT capability of schools through an educational ICT initiative. 

·      Establishing and fostering partnerships with other organisations (such as local councils or community trusts) for the mutual benefit of     the wider community. 

·      An appropriate governance structure to support a community partnership model. 

·     Schools having a key role in their initiation and are strongly represented in the governance structure.

What should a Regional Educational Cluster programme aim to achieve?

Clusters will provide ICT leadership at a more regional level by providing a programme that overarches any existing individual or localised cluster PD or school development programmes. The programme will be founded on a strong pedagogical vision. To achieve this, the proposer will consider the relative strengths of constituent schools and aim to bring coherence to the regional development of ICT capability. 

Programmes will reflect and support government educational priorities such as developing National Standards (in literacy and numeracy), delivering success for Māori (as expressed in Ka Hikitia - Managing for Success) and the Pasifika Education Plan.

How will the programme work?

Selected regional clusters of schools will decide on the focus and design of their ICT PD programme with the support of a National Support Services Facilitator (NSSF) as a part of the national ICT PD Collaboration Programme.