These are the things I’ve read and watched this week.

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/6256728/marks-in-for-valley-schools/?cs=1462 When is this story going to change? I talk to passionate people working in local schools quite frequently and I know they are working to deliver quality education and engage students. As the article states “

“Mr Rodaughan said poor school attendance across the Latrobe Valley was a “big hand brake” on educational outcomes.
“On average, students missed 20 days a year … extrapolate that out and by the time they get to year 9 they have missed a whole year of school,” he said.”

Here’s a better story from Gippsland – https://www.impactboom.org/blog/2019/7/3/tim-leeson-on-authentically-building-resilient-communities-telling-stories-that-resonate There’s a new edition of Gippslandia coming out this week, I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve read his so far https://gippslandia.com.au/not-afraid-of-a-little-hot-water/ and look forward to reading more.

There are some excellent insights in this presentation. I especially love the story at 12:22 and how a teacher can change the perception, ask questions and transform a situation. https://99u.adobe.com/videos/63704/ashley-c-ford-imagination-is-a-creative-superpower

https://soundcloud.com/user-469862298/growing-a-team-is-like-gardening-paolo-malabuyo

“There are very few things that your average human is incapable of. Watch another human and you can do that too…..

Started reading and listening to The Diamond Cutter by by Geshe Michael Roach and Lama Christie McNally. It’s based on a very old Buddhist text and I am enjoying it so much that I have also bought the audible version so I can listen while I’m driving.

Yesterday we had Gippsland’s first dyslexia conference at The VRI. It was a good turnout and Dystech are making a very useful tool for educators.

Today I went to the “Coal Hole” zine making session at ReActivate Hub. Here’s a photo of Pollyannar sharing with us the history of Zines.

30th June 2019

June 30, 2019

johblogs

reflection No Comments

This week was full and I didn’t manage to avoid working on my ‘day off’, but I did have a leisurely start to the day. I am not sure if I will pick up another sessional teaching subject next semester, but I will keep a day free if not. It may boost my productivity if this article is anything to go by.

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/four-day-working-week-could-make-us-happier-and-more-productive/10833924

I did have my final massage with the student I have been seeing at our local TAFE. I have probably had 10 massages from this students and each was amazing. I’ve been having massages for over 30 years now, so I am a little selective. When I first started going for student massages I would select the option to have any student and had been pleased with all the massages I had received. One night I got Beth and she was amazing! I ended up regularly going to her and now she is a qualified practitioner. If you live in East Gippsland I recommend her to you. If you contact the amazing Lynda Western who is the massage teacher at TAFE Gippsland in Traralgon, she can probably pass on details. If you want to book in to the next massage school and support the learning (as well as get some bargain self care)- Book Here.

I listened to a great podcast from Impact Boom this week: https://www.impactboom.org/blog/2019/6/20/dr-easkey-britton-on-the-ebb-flow-of-life-as-a-changemaker-adapting-to-shifting-environments. One of the things I love about Impact Boom podcasts is that the transcript is online with links so if you hear something you want to explore more, it’s very easy to do so.

This was my favourite TED Talk –

I finished listening to The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh. It was ok. I started listening to The Alchemist read by Jeremy Irons. I’ve read the paperback many years ago and it’s beautiful to revisit on audio.

Sunday 23rd June 2019

June 23, 2019

johblogs

reflection No Comments

I’ve had a great week. I spent time with my family. I had a few social occasions. I did a fair bit of cooking and had a float, a massage and got to one exercise class.

I finished my corrections so I now have a midweek ‘holiday’. One day a week to do holiday things. I am disciplining myself to avoid work on those days, but it’s tricky, when you are passionate about your work to avoid the many ways people contact for work, even just going down the street on a weekend you will bump into a work related conversation. I am aiming for sustainability this year in my projects and it starts with me.

I did not take one photo this week.

I caught up with one of the original co-founders of Alt_Art this week, Xelious. It was amazing to hear about his journey since being with us at The VRI and after meeting with him, I was curious about one of his jobs with a company called Replika. AI that learns who you are and opens intimate conversation – with yourself? I want to learn more. Users are reporting connection.

Last night I went to the Startup Gippsland Pitch night. It was great to see the 40 or so businesses pitch their ideas. Elena Kelareva and her team have made a huge impact on Gippsland in the short time they’ve been in Warragul. It’s wonderful to see the opportunity and capacity building. The audience was also full of supportive people and it was a great social event. It’s such a promising thing for our region to be getting around.

This week I’ve been listening to three books – Your Daughters of Freedom by Clare Wright, The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh and Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. I’ve been reading The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris and These Things Happen by Greg Fleet.

Interesting things I’ve listened to this week have been:

Podcasts

https://www.thegloaming.com.au/podcast/june2019/euansemple – lots to reflect on.

I also revisited this podcast cause I was driving and it came on. Such a good one though – probably my favourite from The Gloaming:

https://www.thegloaming.com.au/podcast/2018/7/16/hackerhustlerhipstersept2018

TED talks are apparently according to the first mentioned podcast are a bit passe now, I’ve heard this from a lot of people but I won’t give up my subscription. I love hearing predictions about the future:

Favourite TED Talk this week

Now I’m off to watch the latest episode of The Handmaid’s Tale. I hope you have a good week.

7th July 2019

30th June 2019

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