NET Scheme News 2023 Spring issue 43

Recently the Kowloon Region held its first cluster meeting of the school year. The focus was on using thinking routines in reading lessons. Regional Cluster Meetings provide a platform for sharing effective English language learning and teaching strategies; enhancing collaboration between NETs and other English Panel members; supporting the implementation of the English Language curriculum in schools; and promoting communities of learning for ongoing professional development and support. When we invite teachers to present, we always encourage them to share ideas that other teachers can take back to use in the classroom. Cluster meetings are a great way for teachers to meet others in a less formal setting.They provide a forum for networking and making connections with others.Teachers have noted that these meetings make them feel included and supported.This is particularly important for new teachers to Hong Kong. The most recent cluster meeting was held at Queen Elizabeth School in Mong Kok. Teachers were appreciative of the library venue, which served our purposes perfectly.We are always looking for schools to host our twice-yearly cluster meetings, so feel free to offer your premises if you can. Although the cluster meetings are regional, they are open to all English teachers across Hong Kong, and we were happy to see that many teachers from outside of our region took the opportunity to attend. The use of thinking routines in the classroom was the central theme of the cluster meeting. A range of thinking routines was introduced and briefly explored. In particular we looked at the routines called Tug of War, I used to think… now I think, See Think Wonder, Step Inside, 3-2-1 Bridge, and Circle of Viewpoints. Thinking routines are used in classrooms to introduce ideas, to dig deeper into concepts, and to connect, synthesise and analyse.There are also thinking routines which can be used for feedback. Tailoring the thinking routines to the work you are doing in a purposeful way is important, and this was modelled throughout the demonstration lesson given in the cluster meeting.This cluster meeting was run by the RNCs from the Kowloon Region, Richard Cowler and Luana Hasell. The key objectives of this cluster meeting were to Learn, Explore,Discuss and Reflect.Participants moved through each stage and were engaged throughout the entirety of the meeting. I attended my first regional (Kowloon Region) cluster meeting last week. As a new NET, and recent arrival to Hong Kong, participating in this event is important not only to build community but to also build my own continuing professional development. Starting a new job in a new city can feel somewhat isolating. However, by participating in cluster meetings, I am immediately engaged in a community of like-minded professionals, fellow NETs, new teachers and RNCTs. Johanna Clancy, CCC Ming Kei College 16 NET Scheme News Issue 43 Regional Cluster Meetings Networking through Regional Cluster Meetings