L&D Programmes

I have been privileged to work with Rob over a number of years now since Learning Architects were brought on board to support our School moving to cloud-based Systems – most notably Google.
Rob has supported the different levels of computer literacy in our team as we moved to Google using a range of resources, approaches, and strategies. This is particularly vital as our school community has grown significantly in the last 5 years
In 2018, Rob has been our PLD provider to facilitate the strengthening of our Middle and Senior Leadership team via strengths-based coaching. Working with individuals as well as the team, he has increased our understandings of ourselves individually as leaders while enhancing our collective leadership by using our individual strengths and talents.
Most recently- because of his understanding of our school, Rob was employed to work with our school community to appoint a new Principal. His work in this was diligent and innovative; this supported the Board of Trustees to reflect the community engagements that were held to be able to make an informed decision.
I have no hesitation in recommending Rob and his company- Learning Architects- to anyone seeking to support and enhance their systems and educational practices. Working with Rob has supported my own growth and development as a leader and I look forward to continuing to work with him in 2019.

Oaklands School has engaged Rob Clarke for a number of years in a variety of roles. In 2019 we have participated with Learning Architects in a PLD programme as part of the MOE funding scheme. All of our teaching staff participated in a professional development programme on writing within the classroom.
This programme was to build our teachers’ capacity in giving students feedback on writing using teacher inquiry. The staff were well-supported and engaged in this process and have commented positively on having this opportunity to develop their practice.
During the year Rob also worked alongside our leadership team to develop a feedback model which they have used to support our teachers in the classroom.
 
 

The Puketeraki Kāhui Ako Leadership Team employed Learning Architects very early in our development. We were aware that to connect leaders and teachers across seventeen schools we needed some form of digital communication system.

Rob Clarke sat in on our early management discussions and was able to co-construct a google on-line communication system. This system has been a building block for our Learning Community.

With simple ideas relating to naming protocols and filing to more complex google plus communities, Rob guided us through a process of development. We are by no means a finished product but we are currently functioning enthusiastically and building an effective learning community.

Thanks, Rob. Your knowledge of how schools work and how to blend possibilities with technology is unique and makes this sort of community building possible!

I have appreciated the expertise and professional experience that Rob has brought to the work he has done with us.
This coupled with a willingness to listen and problem solve together has seen us achieve results that are collectively owned.
Kāhui Ako o Wakatipu is well set up to collaborate and innovate.

Over the last two and a half years Rob has been an integral part of the appraisal process and the professional development of our senior leadership team at Queenstown Primary School.
Initially, he worked with our six team leaders to help them grow and develop their practice and to help with consistency across our very large school. He then went on to work with the DPs. This was an 18-month journey of professional learning and development tailored to suit our needs as well as the BoT and teachers council requirements.
Rob is an experienced ex Principal and is knowledgable and passionate about the work he does. He helped me gain insight into my strengths and how best to put them to work in my work. He is always approachable and easy to deal with while remaining professional and honest. If you are looking for an appraisal that will fit your schedule while helping you grow and develop not just tick boxes I recommend giving Rob at Learning Architects a call.

I tried several times to get my head and my staff across the line in using google doc’s and google sites. Having contracted Learning Architects to work remotely in a support and mentor role I achieved this and more.
Beyond the technical expertise, what really helped was the strategic, feet on the floor and considered recommendations. You don’t know what you don’t know so to have Rob push my thinking, share new ideas and guide into a better way was a huge win.
I see my schools’ connection with Learning Architects as a partnership, a mentorship and a great ongoing decision.

The Waitaha Board of Trustees and leadership team employed Rob Clarke to support and guide them during their two most recent strategic planning reviews.
Rob ensured that relevant and enquiring questions were the focus of the sessions, and he guided and challenged the Board to think critically and innovatively.
Rob’s in-depth and current knowledge of education practices ensured that the sessions were focussed and relevant to the Waitaha setting and to its community. His input ensured that the end goals were relevant, achievable and innovative.
Rob is extremely professional and he will deliver quality outcomes.

While facilitating professional learning for our staff Rob has interacted with a number of students to model the use of digital tools. Rob has always taken this opportunity to filter in digital citizenship learning by asking thoughtful and probing questions of our students. Rob carefully constructs the conversations so the ideas of the students are leading the discussions.
Rob has also developed an awareness of our world amongst our students by discussing Sustainable Development Goals during a student-based STEAM programme. The way Rob was able to provoke thoughts and discussions amongst students during a presentation was skilful and made the students aware of how they can make a difference. Rob planted the seed of international mindedness amongst our students, was spot on, and at a level that was challenging yet interesting.

It has been a pleasure to work with Rob for our leadership appraisal. He helped us identify our strengths individually and as a leadership team. He guided us on how to work with these strengths and support each other by delving into our potential as a team. Rob has a knack of being able to lead and support from the side without telling us what to do but by asking probing questions that enable us to think on a deeper level about our goals, both professionally and personally.

Shona is a vastly creative and experienced practitioner who has helped our staff navigate through the complexities of 21st-century learning concepts and the exponential increase in access to digital technologies. As a result, we are a school with a strong sense of direction and philosophy around our learning culture, especially in the digital facets of learning and the links with effective practice.

I had a great day with Victoria today. I was feeling a little apprehensive about how this would work for my class (NE in a play based setting) but I am walking out feeling inspired and keen to try out the great ideas we have been given.
Victoria has a lovely warm personality and listening to her advice and explanations of things was a breeze. She understands the demands of being a teacher, and therefore her suggestions were completely achievable.
Thank you for unpacking a very wordy document in a user-friendly way Victoria!!