Yesterday saw the third annual PrimaryRocksLive in Manchester, and I was lucky enough to be one of those attending for a third time this year. This year, after me “banging on about it” I also brought two colleagues with me for their first time. PrimaryRocksLive is starting to feel like some massive, lovely family now, up to and including hugs for various people and going back each year is like a reunion.
The morning Keynote, Nina Jackson (@musicmind) was a hilarious and energising opening to the day and really struck a chord with me about “fizz” and awe and wonder.
Workshop 1: @MrHeadComputing and @bryngoodman delivering a workshop on how to teach the computing curriculum without computers. As computing lead at a time when budgets are squeezed, this was a workshop I was desperate to attend. I got loads of really useful, practical ideas that I look forward to sharing with my staff.
Workshop 2: @ClareSealy delivered a workshop about getting learning to stick. This was standing room only. (My colleague was a bit star-struck and standing next to @theprimaryhead) A really interesting and thought provoking session with lots to change about my practice.
Workshop 3: @chrisdyson giving us a look at his wonderful approach to running his school. An inspiring man, whose love for his school and community is obvious, anyone who gets to work with Chris is lucky.
Final keynote/performance: @theprimaryhead and @oldprimaryhead1 delivering a talk/discussion/argument/gameshow on “Authentic Leadership”. Hilarious and brilliant, but I now have the word “leadershit” stuck in my head and am left wondering just how bad Beryl was…
Then came #primarybeers at The Garrat, which was brilliant, even if I did drink a bit too much and go home because the snow was getting worse!
The biggest, and most unquantifiable thing about PrimaryRocksLive is also what pulls me back to it each year. On paper, it’s just useful CPD which takes place on a Saturday (and I know people have strong feelings about that), but the reality is it’s so much more. PrimaryRocksLive is like someone pressing a recharge switch, and I come back on a high for the job once more – we all do, judging by the steady stream of posts on twitter over the day.
I fear I might do myself out of a ticket for next year by saying this bit everyone should attend PrimaryRocksLive!
Massive love to @MrsSetto as always, for being the best PrimaryRocks bestie, and to all the PrimaryRocks team for making this day possible every year.
The 8 bit Teacher 