The Consortium Identity

Late in 1994 a small group of Cairns Principals (Edge Hill SS, Cairns West SS, Parramatta SS) met to discuss some issues and concerns. This resulted in an exchange of ideas, expertise and a realisation that a formalised cluster could be very powerful way of operating. A later transfer of one of the Principals to Woree SS saw the concept extended to include Woree SS as the fourth school.

 

The Cairns Consortium of Schools is a coalition of four Cairns primary schools’ administration and teaching teams. Those schools are Woree State School, Cairns West State School, Parramatta State School and Edge Hill State School. All four schools have significant enrolments of Indigenous students.The Consortium was formed to support the provision of valid, worthwhile education characterised by improved student outcomes enhanced by improved teacher competencies. The exchange of ideas and expertise shared by this cluster has resulted in a mechanism of support for not only the four Consortium schools' communities, but also other schools throughout North Queensland.

 

Since its inception in 1994 the Consortium has developed considerably. This evolution has seen a gradual increase of specialised support staff to address identified needs across all four schools. Each school has retained its own identity and is responsible for its own functioning. The Consortium is the vehicle by which the four schools can explore ways in which the schools and their communities can share resources and people's skills to better meet the increasing demands on education and educators. The Consortium exists to support all staff in the four schools and is based on a platform which:

• acknowledges the redefinition of our roles within a changing and complex school structure
• values individuals and their work
• values respect for self and others
• promotes a sense of autonomy within the culture of work
• encourages collegial networks, peer collaboration and a sense of synergy across the Consortium
• recognises the importance of self esteem in harnessing the individual's human potential.

 

At its very heart, the consortium is a network of people which aims to challenge practices to enhance effective teaching and learning outcomes by valuing sense of self, valuing sense of work and building bridges for learning. The Consortium , therefore, is a construct defined by the four participating schools mutual needs--it is an ongoing process which is only worth retaining if people are getting something from it.