Saltus Summer Magazine 2013 Page 27

S A L T U S M A G A Z I N E

2 7

approach to teaching and learning at Saltus is
absolutely right for our students and for our
community, and is informed by best practice
and the latest educational research.

What are some of your key short-term goals
starting in September?

One of the key things I'm working on now in
preparation for the next school year is professional
development. Research shows that investing in staff
and teacher development has one of the biggest
impacts on student learning and I don't believe
we have taken a thorough or consistent enough
approach to that in the past. We have invested
in professional development, but it hasn't had a
whole-school focus. I'm working on two strands:
one with the university of Worcester, uK, to put
together a programme where our teachers can work
towards identified school priorities. The benefit for
teachers is that their work would be accredited at
Master's level. Another strand we're looking at is
being able to offer National College of School
Leadership courses; they're very well recognised
development courses, for Year Coordinators, Heads
of Departments, Middle Leaders, Subject Leaders,

Senior Leaders. It's a blended learning approach, so
there's some online learning with colleagues from
around the uK that offers fantastic networking
opportunities and opens up a whole world of
support and collegiality. There would also be some
face-to-face days where we'd get a facilitator to come
to Bermuda. I'm very excited about both of those.

What's your long-term vision for making Saltus
the best school it can be?

If you look at our mission statement, there are three
strands--academic excellence, which we're on a
good path towards, and also personal integrity and
service to others. I believe if we can have more of a
focus on those latter two strands, we will help
Saltus become the best school--not only on the
Island, but a school that can really compete inter-
nationally with other top schools. Forging stronger
community links is really important. We've started
along that road with the Citizenship programme
and are looking at getting closer links with local
organisations. That's important for any school, but
particularly here in a small environment.

Technology will also play a big part in the future

of the School. We're currently hiring a Director of

`We needed

a candidate
with intimate
knowledge of
the Island.
Claire not
only had this
knowledge,
but knew
where all
stakeholders
want the
School to be
in the short
and medium
term'

--Steve Briggs

Secondary Department

faculty representative