Waimairi School, a transformation journey

Mike Anderson has been leading the pedagogy and property transformation of Waimairi School in Christchurch since before the earthquakes. In this interview he shares insights into how to lead change and support teachers as designers of learning in the pursuit of empowering ākonga.

We had the priviledge of interviewing Mike for our first Online Series event ‘Leading Change: Journeying with Teams and Communities through School Transformation’ and he shared so much wisdom and insight that we wanted to capture and share all of it.  Please enjoy the interview, it is chock-full of golden nuggets.

Key influences and reading recommendations from Mike:

• Stephen Stirling – https://www.sustainableeducation.co.uk/key-ideas/ 

• Graham Nuthall – Hidden lives of learners
• Clever Classrooms: Summary of the HEAD Project. 
• Julia Atkin – From values and beliefs about learning to principles and practice
• Gert Biesta – The Beautiful Risk of Education
• Mary Featherstone – architectural
• Pam Hook – SOLO Taxonomy
• CEFPI – Learning Furniture: a don’t ‘just stuff it’ guide

Learn more about Mike, his team and their approach at Waimairi:

• School webiste: https://www.waimairi.school.nz/
• Waimairi rebuild website: https://www.waimairi.school.nz/rebuild
• MOE Waimairi Case Study
• Videos from Waimairi: https://www.growwaitaha.co.nz/Waimairi
• A history of regeneration: Waimairi School