Learning by all, whatever it takes

Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board
News Release

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Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic teachers, principals and administrators will spend a professional activity day on November 10, 2008 discussing with keynote speaker Wayne Hulley the mission of every school: Learning by All, Whatever it Takes.

Hulley’s keynote address, Harbours of Hope – Creating Schools Where Learning by All is a Reality, highlights the ways in which schools can become places where a student’s self confidence is developed through opportunities for them to succeed and enhanced through interaction with staff.

“Hulley’s message truly parallels the Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic District School Board’s belief that every student has the ability to succeed,” said Superintendent of Education, Joanne Bénard. “We must always seek out ways to enhance learning opportunities for the success of all of our students. This professional activity day is a great way to facilitate such discussions with our teachers and administrators.”

Together on this professional activity day, English Catholic teachers and administrators will learn and share best practices to ultimately ensure that every school is a “Harbour of Hope” for every learner within it. As Hulley puts it, “where hope is created for every kid… (and) every kid who shows up for the team will make it, every kid who shows up to write an exam will believe they can pass it, every time they hold up their hand in class, they are hopeful they have the right answer, and even if they don’t, they’ll be accepted for who they are. These schools have a culture about them that says ‘we care and we’re going to do what’s right for you.’”

The PA day will begin with Hulley’s keynote address at 9 a.m. in the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Catholic
Secondary School cafeteria until 10:30 a.m., after which teachers will return to their respective schools to engage in discussions focused on planning for student success.

Wayne Hulley is the president of North Star Centre and Canadian Effective Schools Inc., in Burlington,
Ontario. He has taught every grade level, and has been a principal and superintendent in the Greater Toronto Area. He has also taught motivational theory at four Canadian universities. His book, “Harbours of Hope” which he coauthored with Linda Dier, highlights the characteristics of schools and classrooms that make a significant difference in the lives of all students by creating hope through success. Their new book, “Getting By or Getting Better” will be released in November 2008 and develops the seven lessons that schools must learn if they have an intention of making success for all students a reality.

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