MENTOR SHADOWING

Date:  26 October 2007

Time: 9.00am – 11.00 am.

Topic 1: Mentor Shadowing by Mr. Andrew Jackson (a Former Principal)

After introducing the Australian Educational System, in theory, then we are going to practice school shadowing or mentor shadowing as part of the course program. Ten schools in Victoria State were chosen for us to go on visit during the program. The concept is very simple but it has a great impact to us as school organizers. It means we go to the schools that has been chosen nearby Monash University. The school Principas that has been chosen, becomes the mentor. They  play the role to assist the Malaysian Principals while visiting their schools in Australia.

During the visit, we are asked to make useful observations from their best professional practices, which focus on the mentor’s role. By doing this, we indirectly had a professional learning in managing schools, as what the Australian Principals do. There are some techniques of successful shadowing such as note events, write what is seen and heard, and describe the characteristics.   After being in the schools, we have to do some reflections, so that we can use all the experience, whenever suitable in our practice after going back to Malaysia.

Some of the schools that have been chosen, are being grouped together, as cluster school of their own characteristics. Most cluster schools, are group together due to the geographical factors or the nature or so called types of school. But the most effective and successful cluster school in Australia is, the cluster due to geography. It means a few schools (five or six) in one specific area, were grouped together as cluster schools, for example Wellington Secondary School. It is not restricted to the secondary schools only, but primary schools too, were included in the group of cluster school in the area.

Topic 2:  Transport and Logistic During Mentor Shadowing by Mr. Kitaro Ito

Time:  11.00 – 12-00 am.

In this session, we  are given a schedule that has already been arranged by the university, and given by Mr. Andrew. Two Principals are  to visit one school every week. The shadowing will be carried out for 6 weeks on every Tuesday. According to Mr. Kitaro, they  had arranged 4 buses for the group, each going to the specific area chosen. The bus will depart at 8.00 am in the morning, from Rusden  House, and will reach the schools around 9.00 o'clock. We will be in the school until 4.00 pm. So during the seven hours in school, we will do the shadowing. We will follow the Principal, observe the principal, or discuss anything either with the Principal or the Assistant Principal. We can also go to the class if we find that it is necessary, then in the evening, the bus will pick us up and we will reach the resident at about 4.30.