WEBVTT
00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:13.359
Hello everyone.
00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.199
Welcome back to the BSME Talks podcast.
00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:19.760
The first episode of the second season.
00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:23.120
We are officially starting our second season of podcasting.
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:30.399
I don't think we can claim to be experts yet, but um it's it's lovely to be going into a second season and to have you all listening along.
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:31.839
My name is Nalini Cook.
00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:35.600
I'm CEO at BSME British Schools in the Middle East.
00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:42.399
We're a membership network that connects and supports British curriculum schools across the Middle East and North Africa.
00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:45.840
And I'm joined today by my friend and colleague, Deborah Forsyth.
00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.079
Deborah, do you want to introduce yourself for anyone who might not know you?
00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:49.039
Do it, Nalini.
00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:56.799
I'm CEO of BSME and Nalini and I delighted to welcome back our schools to the start of a new school year.
00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:06.719
It's been hopefully a wonderful summer away for people after a little bit of a trying term three, and really excited to have everyone back and starting this exciting new year together.
00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:07.519
Thank you.
00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:20.079
Well, as Deborah mentioned, it has been a little bit trying for the last six months in the region, but things are certainly uh feeling very much uh back to normal on the ground in the UAE, and I hope it is for you as well, wherever you are listening from.
00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:23.840
We're delighted to welcome everyone back to the new academic year.
00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:34.000
One of the things that we've seen that I think really illustrates normal is the uh the number of new schools we've got opening, the number of people we have coming into the region.
00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:42.879
I read um a report from a research company this morning saying that there has been a 20% influx of uh new teachers into the region.
00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:46.879
So people certainly aren't being put off coming here, which is really nice to see.
00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.280
Um although no doubt traffic will get worse again.
00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:56.640
But um if you're if you're new in town, just add an extra uh 10 minutes onto whatever you think your journey time will take.
00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:00.000
I think you're so I certainly felt that coming into the office this morning.
00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:05.599
I I certainly felt that the traffic was worse, but yeah, Nalini, definitely it feels like a really exciting start.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:17.360
Um, as you say, lots of new schools, um lots of new heads in schools, but lots of new teachers as well, and a real exciting feeling around that new beginning that we always have at the start of the year.
00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:22.000
And some of those new teachers, of course, um will be appearing in our our second podcast.
00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:27.680
We had Sandra out on location at Heartland School this week talking to some of those new arrivals.
00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:30.240
So you get to hear from some of them in the next podcast.
00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:40.080
Yeah, and if you're in if you're a new teacher um at a BSME school, perhaps you haven't been in a BSME school before, um, there's plenty of PD and support available for you.
00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:46.080
We'll come to some of that in a moment, but yeah, please do be aware that we are here to support you.
00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:52.240
So before we get stuck into what's coming up this year, I know that you and I have been quite busy still over summer.
00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:55.199
Um, you particularly so with external things, Deborah.
00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:57.120
What have you been up to over summer?
00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.280
I think the work that you do is something that people often don't know about uh about BSME and what we do.
00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:05.360
Yeah, some of the quieter stuff.
00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:09.599
Um, I will say I did get a lovely summer holiday, so I haven't worked the whole summer by any means.
00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:13.520
Um, but of course, while schools close for the summer, lots of other organisations don't.
00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:17.280
Um, and one of those government entities and of course examination boards.
00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:22.479
And as anybody that was in the region during term three will know, um examinations were a bit of a challenge.
00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:29.280
We had four countries in the region where examinations didn't happen and there had to be alternative assessment strategies.
00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:51.599
So one of the things that's kept us busy running into the summer, and then towards the end of the summer, obviously, as results came out, was keeping in contact with the examination boards, with OFQL, the regulator in the UK for examination boards and the Department for Education, and just talking through that process of special consideration for students who weren't able to sit their examinations.
00:03:51.840 --> 00:04:02.639
And that's pretty much still an ongoing process, um, trying to really make sure that all of our students have got the grades that they deserved, whatever the mechanism was of assessment for them within their country.
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:12.800
So that's been a large part of the bits and pieces of work that I've been doing over the summer, and of course, keeping in contact with our friends and colleagues in other school organisations.
00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:29.040
We've worked a lot with COBIS, AOBSO and HMC on the whole exam issue because, of course, they also have member schools in the region, and we've very much had a joint approach to that problem solving as that work that we do as a British International Schools Association group.
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:37.839
Um, and also been working with those colleagues on looking at the UK's international education strategy and how we can help implement that in our region.
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:40.800
So that's what's kept me busy, part of my summer holidays.
00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.839
But as I said, I did manage to have some lovely downtime too.
00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:44.720
I'm glad.
00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.279
I'm glad.
00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:46.560
So that's where we're up to.
00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:54.879
I know that's been still keeping us busy the last uh couple of weeks, but we're also starting to look ahead to what's coming up for the rest of the year, right?
00:04:54.959 --> 00:05:02.480
Um, I know the office is well, last week was our first week back in the office and all together as a team, and it was really lovely to see everybody.
00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:08.000
It was also a real flurry of activity preparing for the year ahead.
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.439
Um, I know we wanted to talk about student events.
00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:14.800
You work a little bit more closely with the student events team than I do.
00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:20.959
Do you want to give people a bit of a highlight of maybe a few of the things that are coming up this year that we look forward to?
00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.920
And and student events is an interesting one.
00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:31.360
At the minute, um, as Nalini said earlier, things are peaceful and quiet and feeling quite normal.
00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:38.879
And the student events team, Rachel, um, Amy, and and Leila, have been planning for normality.
00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:42.560
So we do have a full schedule of student events planned for the year.
00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:46.800
I think we're looking at upwards of 60 um different student events this year.
00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:52.240
Um, but of course, we're also planning for other eventualities should they arise.
00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:58.800
So we do have lots of plan B's in the background and strategies that we'll move to should things change.
00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:02.639
But at the moment, we're planning for normal and hoping that that's will be where we are.
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:06.800
And within that um 60 or so student events, we do have some new ones.
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:15.360
So, new events for this year are um our student conference, which hopefully will be one of our big events that's taking place, I think November Nalini, that is, right?
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.560
Yeah, end of November.
00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.439
I think it's the last weekend in November, off the top of my head.
00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:23.120
We are also doing MUN for the first time this year.
00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:28.240
That's being hosted by um Gems Founder School in Dubai, and that's going to be taking place in March.
00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:48.079
And also we're really excited because this is an event that I've wanted to get going since I first uh took over as CEO four years ago, and that's a unified games, and that's being hosted for us by British Gallery Jameera, and that will be um a unified games event that is being especially organised for students with different needs.
00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:52.639
We're doing that in conjunction with the Special Olympics Committee, they're supporting us on that.
00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:55.040
So I'm very excited to have that on the calendar.
00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:00.399
And hot off the press this morning, Rachel mentioned that there might also be a chess competition coming up.
00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:05.680
It's a bit of question mark at the moment, but we're hoping that we'll finalise that and add that to the calendar too.
00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.639
Oh, nice.
00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.959
Do you know how to play chess?
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.639
I did once.
00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.600
I was gonna say, can you teach me?
00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.800
I don't think I yeah, when I was at school I played, but I haven't got a clue now.
00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:17.120
Right.
00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.959
So you neither you and I will be in the chess company.
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:21.120
You and I over a coffee right then, Nalini.
00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:24.399
I was gonna say, but we won't be in the chess competition then.
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:26.000
Never mind.
00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:32.240
Um, okay, so the other big bit of work that we do um as an organization is of course professional learning.
00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:38.800
So supporting teachers and leaders in their own uh career development to ultimately support our students.
00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:41.519
And that's the team that I work a lot more closely with.
00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:49.360
So we have, if you are not aware, uh we do have uh an event called TeacherCon that we've been running for the last three years.
00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.680
So could they not know Liling?
00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:53.519
It might be new in region.
00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.480
I think that's allowed.
00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.279
I think that's allowed.
00:07:55.839 --> 00:08:03.839
So if you're not aware, we're running TeacherCon Dubai on the 3rd of October in Dubai at Arcadia Global School this year.
00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.240
Um, and that is open to basically educators from anywhere.
00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:14.800
Um, you don't have to be at a BSME school, you can come from any uh any curriculum, it's curriculum agnostic.
00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.759
Come along, have a day full of learning.
00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:25.680
There are panel sessions, there are roundtables, there are um keynotes, workshops, um, exhibitors, plenty to do.
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:27.759
Um, tickets are available online now.
00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:30.079
If you haven't got one already, go for that.
00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:36.879
We ran a competition for uh a free ticket, and uh the winner has been awarded, I think that was about 10 days ago.
00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:47.919
But we're running the same competition for our brand new TeacherCon Saudi, which is coming up in November, and that's gonna be taking place at the British International School of Jeddah.
00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.000
So that will be our first iteration of TeacherCon in Saudi.
00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:57.519
And last year we ran TeacherCon in Doha, and we're going to be running that again for the second time.
00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:02.960
So, teachers in any of those places, or indeed if you're coming from other countries, you're welcome at any of those events.
00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:08.879
Really exciting day-to-day stuff that you can take into your classroom, which I think is uh always a nice thing.
00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:16.480
So the teacher cons are obviously uh a big thing for us, but we're also launching uh much like students, we're launching a few new uh events this year.
00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:19.200
So we're going to be having a leadership retreat.
00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:24.720
It will be quite an exclusive event just for sort of you know 15 or so heads of our schools.
00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:32.879
Um, you can be a principal, you could be a vice principal, right down to I'd say probably about an assistant head level.
00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:41.200
If you're looking at improving your own practice as a leader, it's very much about reflecting on your own practice and growing that, perhaps changing.
00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:50.320
Perhaps you've you've been a principal for 20 years and you you you simply want to just reconnect with uh what your goals are, have some downtime.
00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.120
It's going to be in a really lovely, relaxing venue.
00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:58.639
So if you simply want to come and get away from the kids for uh 48 hours, um you're also very welcome.
00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:01.200
There'll be more details on that going out soon.
00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.960
What else do we have going on?
00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:10.159
We will be having a uh a well-being and safeguarding conference at the moment, penciled in the calendar for uh for January.
00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:14.559
Um, and a couple of things that are returning after a short break.
00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:30.240
We we don't necessarily run them every year, um, but this academic year we're going to be having the New and Aspiring Leaders Conference, a PE conference, and our EYFS, which does usually run every year, but unfortunately had to be postponed last year due to the uh the conflict.
00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:35.519
Nilaney, with the with the teacher cons there, are we still looking for speakers for those events?
00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:48.000
No, we've got programmes fully planned for um for Dubai and uh Saudi, but the uh speaker proposals or the workshop proposals will be opening for Qatar in the not too distant future.
00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:56.320
So if you are in or willing to travel to Qatar and would like to speak at that, just keep that in mind and keep an eye on the website once that's released.
00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:00.240
Website, social media, it will be pushed out on all of those so you don't miss anything.
00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:03.200
What else might teachers be missing out on?
00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:03.919
I'm trying to think.
00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.720
What else do we do?
00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:06.080
Oh, networks, of course.
00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.320
Um growing all the time.
00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.759
Growing all the time.
00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:20.879
We have, I believe, 30 networks at the moment, but I am informed that we are also going to be launching uh a new network for ECTs.
00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:32.480
Um, so if you are fairly new in your career, in your role, um, and you would like to connect with others at the same, share hints, tips, etc., um, and perhaps have a little bit of learning there.
00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:36.080
Join the upcoming ECT network once that's launched.
00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:42.480
If you're not aware of networks already, they are open for all BSME uh schools, teachers at all BSME schools.
00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.000
We run the networks online.
00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.759
There's a network meeting once a term.
00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:59.919
So essentially, even if you are in, I don't know, Salala, if you're in Basra, somewhere where it's not so easy for you to physically get to one of our events, you can still have that connection with your peers and also some learning.
00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.679
So yeah, look out for those.
00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.399
I know we've run we ran a couple of collabs.
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.879
We mentioned that in our closing episode of last year.
00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:18.399
The collabs are the the face-to-face sort of slightly extended network days where people get together and we ran a an AI net sorry, an AI collab last year, and we ran a performing.
00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.360
Yes, yeah.
00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.360
So there's going to be a careers one this year.
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:29.120
I think that's already penciled penciled into the calendar for or it's it's coming up quite soon.
00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:36.639
I I'd say it's uh October, November, so keep an eye out for that if you're uh uh part of Six Form or Careers Guidance, etc.
00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:43.519
And always uh happy to support more wherever wherever somebody would like to uh to run a collab or a network.
00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:47.360
And I'm gonna finish off before because I feel like I've talked an awful lot now.
00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:55.440
Um if you are a principal, we do of course have our annual school leaders conference coming up, um the theme of which is the joy of leadership this year.
00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:04.639
And you will be getting uh various things dropping into your email inbox in the next month or so so that you can register and come along to that.
00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:13.200
So I hope to uh see whoever's listening in person at one of those events, it would be really lovely to connect with some people in person in the coming academic year.
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:17.679
Lots of lots of um professional learning things to look forward to there, Nalini.
00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:45.759
And I would say if you're you're new to the region, new to a BSME school, uh or maybe not, but you've just learned about us, um I would say that the connections that we foster between school leaders, between teachers of all subjects at all levels, but even networks for your administrators and connections for for your ancillary staff, your head of HR, your head of business, I think they're probably one of the key benefits of membership of the organization.
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:50.399
And I don't think there was a time when this was more obvious than during the conflict.
00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:57.919
I think having those those colleagues that you could reach out to in other schools doing a similar role to yourself were absolutely invaluable.
00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:07.360
So if you don't do anything else, I'd say definitely avail of that opportunity to connect with your peers within your own country, but also across the region.
00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:14.960
There's just so much great practice there to share, or even just someone to talk to when things are maybe not going fantastically well.
00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.480
Yeah, no, that's really nice.
00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:20.960
So something else that we're going to resurrect there is um the new heads buddy system.
00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.480
The heads buddy system, yeah.
00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:26.159
We we did have this running Nilanya a few years ago and it sort of went a little bit quiet.
00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:34.159
And uh as we were mentioning at the start of the podcast here, we have lots of new schools and lots of new heads coming into existing schools as well.
00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:38.480
So we did think this was a really good time to relaunch this heads buddy system.
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:51.600
Um we have um a co-opted member of our executive committee who's going to pick this up for us, Tracy Crowdercloud, who's going to pick this up uh as her responsibility and working with the team on this.
00:14:51.759 --> 00:15:19.759
And the aim, of course, is that if you are a new head in one of the BSME schools and you may be new to the region, you may be new to headship, you may be within the same school and have moved up to headship or coming from somewhere else completely, getting you connected with somebody that works in your region, maybe that works in a similar type of school to yourself, so that you've got someone that you can connect with on a daily basis just to ask the dumb questions that you're not quite sure where to take.
00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:23.440
Of course, there's no such thing as a dumb question, but it can often feel that way.
00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:26.559
Um, and we all know that headship can be can be quite lonely.
00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:38.639
You can't always share things that are concerning you with your leadership team, with people in your school, and to have that um connection externally, but somebody that knows what that role is like is invaluable.
00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:43.600
And we'll be getting in touch with all of the new heads of our BSME schools in the next couple of weeks.
00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:51.840
We'll let you get your school settled first, and then we'll reach out and help get you connected with somebody else so that nobody feels that they're facing any challenges alone.
00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:58.080
And you've got some interesting, uh, an interesting new development coming up in in your area of work, Nalini, haven't you, on DEI?
00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.279
Yes.
00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:05.200
So for those of you who don't know me, my my previous role before I came to BSME was actually as a full-time researcher.
00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:08.720
That is what my master's is in, and it's uh it remains a passion.
00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:10.480
I do love a little bit of research.
00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:16.240
I also am incredibly passionate about um everybody feeling that sense of belonging.
00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:30.159
And so BSME is going to be launching some research into DEIB within our schools community um this year and the wider community, so that there is uh hopefully a baseline that we can perhaps reflect on in a few years' time.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.720
So, again, it's a case of watch this space.
00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:47.200
Um, there will be some some surveys and some interviews coming out in a hope that uh we can make sure that this sense of community that we work so hard to uh to ensure is there is inclusive of everybody and that everyone has a seat at the table.
00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:53.759
That idea of everyone feeling that they belong, that they're represented and supported is incredibly important to us at BSME.
00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:59.759
So it really important research and uh delighted that we've got Nalini's skills coming to the fore on that.
00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.120
Thank you.
00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:12.400
So now, because we're gluttons for punishment, we've also um decided that we're going to be releasing a monthly update email uh in the hope that we can uh uh effectively communicate with you.
00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:22.079
We've had a lot of requests uh over the last 12 to 18 months, I'd say, for to be added to our mailing list, um, which technically doesn't quite exist in that way.
00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:35.440
We have obviously lists of members and we contact people about various things that are pertinent to them, but a bit more of a more general mailing list, whether you're a BSME member or not, so that you can know what's going on, um, just as a quick overview.
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:43.279
Uh so if you are interested in uh receiving a monthly update from us, please get in touch and ask to be added to the mailing list.
00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:47.119
There will be a link going up on the website where you can register for that very shortly.
00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:51.440
But of course, we mustn't forget we've been talking about schools, which is why we're all here.
00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.720
That's really important.
00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:58.880
But an incredibly um equally important part of our community are, of course, our partner members.
00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:02.480
And we've got a few nice things coming up for them as well this year.
00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:12.000
We've come up with some new new ways to access the annual conference, which should hopefully enable us to welcome a few more uh of our partner members.
00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.799
Uh, watch this space for our partner members.
00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.960
Tanya will be in touch with details.
00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:38.799
Um, but in the very near future, we'll be welcoming our new partners alongside our partner Reps, and we will have an upcoming podcast episode, possibly a webinar if uh if we get enough uh interest uh to explore how you can make the most of your partner membership to make sure that you're not missing out on anything and that you are as involved as you can be getting the most out of our community.
00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.680
Yeah, Tanya's done some great work with the partners.
00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:50.880
Um, hopefully, if you are a partner, you'll have received your renewal information and we'll have got that sorted so that you're ready enrolling as soon as we release annual conference registration.
00:18:51.119 --> 00:19:00.000
If you're if you're working for an educational company and you're not a member of BSME but will be interested in joining us, please do pop along to the website and look up our partner membership section.
00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:04.240
You can drop us an email there to let us know that you're interested and we can have chat.
00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.440
Fantastic.
00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:11.680
Well, now when we started this, I think before we actually started recording, we said, Oh, this we've not got that much to talk about.
00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.039
How will we get an episode?
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:15.680
And I have a feeling we've talked for far longer than we thought.
00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:22.240
But it's been really nice to catch up and just uh, I suppose consolidate everything that's coming, and it's quite an exciting year ahead for us.
00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:28.559
And it's certainly made me feel very excited about the year that we have ahead of us, lots of new things to bring to the fore.
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:34.640
And I'm looking really looking forward to connecting people again, starting to have heads meetings and to dropping into schools.
00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:39.440
We've certainly got some um some applications in, quite a lot of applications in from new member schools.
00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:45.599
So I'm also looking forward to to getting out and into those schools, meeting those those teachers, students, and school leaders.
00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.319
Fantastic.
00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:52.799
Well, if anything has piqued your interest uh on today's episode that you'd like to know more about, please head to our website.
00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:56.000
And if you can't find what you're looking for, drop us a note there.
00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:58.720
Um there is a contact form and that will come through to us.
00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:02.559
Otherwise, I think that's probably about time for us to wind up.
00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:07.680
And uh we look forward to seeing you on one of the upcoming episodes or at one of our future events.
00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.839
And wish you all a fantastic year ahead.
00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:13.359
Hello everyone.
00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:17.199
Welcome back to the BSME Talks podcast.
00:00:17.440 --> 00:00:19.760
The first episode of the second season.
00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:23.120
We are officially starting our second season of podcasting.
00:00:23.199 --> 00:00:30.399
I don't think we can claim to be experts yet, but um it's it's lovely to be going into a second season and to have you all listening along.
00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:31.839
My name is Nalini Cook.
00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:35.600
I'm CEO at BSME British Schools in the Middle East.
00:00:35.759 --> 00:00:42.399
We're a membership network that connects and supports British curriculum schools across the Middle East and North Africa.
00:00:42.479 --> 00:00:45.840
And I'm joined today by my friend and colleague, Deborah Forsyth.
00:00:45.920 --> 00:00:48.079
Deborah, do you want to introduce yourself for anyone who might not know you?
00:00:48.320 --> 00:00:49.039
Do it, Nalini.
00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:56.799
I'm CEO of BSME and Nalini and I delighted to welcome back our schools to the start of a new school year.
00:00:56.960 --> 00:01:06.719
It's been hopefully a wonderful summer away for people after a little bit of a trying term three, and really excited to have everyone back and starting this exciting new year together.
00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:07.519
Thank you.
00:01:07.599 --> 00:01:20.079
Well, as Deborah mentioned, it has been a little bit trying for the last six months in the region, but things are certainly uh feeling very much uh back to normal on the ground in the UAE, and I hope it is for you as well, wherever you are listening from.
00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:23.840
We're delighted to welcome everyone back to the new academic year.
00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:34.000
One of the things that we've seen that I think really illustrates normal is the uh the number of new schools we've got opening, the number of people we have coming into the region.
00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:42.879
I read um a report from a research company this morning saying that there has been a 20% influx of uh new teachers into the region.
00:01:42.959 --> 00:01:46.879
So people certainly aren't being put off coming here, which is really nice to see.
00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.280
Um although no doubt traffic will get worse again.
00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:56.640
But um if you're if you're new in town, just add an extra uh 10 minutes onto whatever you think your journey time will take.
00:01:56.799 --> 00:02:00.000
I think you're so I certainly felt that coming into the office this morning.
00:02:00.079 --> 00:02:05.599
I I certainly felt that the traffic was worse, but yeah, Nalini, definitely it feels like a really exciting start.
00:02:05.760 --> 00:02:17.360
Um, as you say, lots of new schools, um lots of new heads in schools, but lots of new teachers as well, and a real exciting feeling around that new beginning that we always have at the start of the year.
00:02:17.520 --> 00:02:22.000
And some of those new teachers, of course, um will be appearing in our our second podcast.
00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:27.680
We had Sandra out on location at Heartland School this week talking to some of those new arrivals.
00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:30.240
So you get to hear from some of them in the next podcast.
00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:40.080
Yeah, and if you're in if you're a new teacher um at a BSME school, perhaps you haven't been in a BSME school before, um, there's plenty of PD and support available for you.
00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:46.080
We'll come to some of that in a moment, but yeah, please do be aware that we are here to support you.
00:02:46.319 --> 00:02:52.240
So before we get stuck into what's coming up this year, I know that you and I have been quite busy still over summer.
00:02:52.319 --> 00:02:55.199
Um, you particularly so with external things, Deborah.
00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:57.120
What have you been up to over summer?
00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.280
I think the work that you do is something that people often don't know about uh about BSME and what we do.
00:03:03.759 --> 00:03:05.360
Yeah, some of the quieter stuff.
00:03:05.520 --> 00:03:09.599
Um, I will say I did get a lovely summer holiday, so I haven't worked the whole summer by any means.
00:03:09.680 --> 00:03:13.520
Um, but of course, while schools close for the summer, lots of other organisations don't.
00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:17.280
Um, and one of those government entities and of course examination boards.
00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:22.479
And as anybody that was in the region during term three will know, um examinations were a bit of a challenge.
00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:29.280
We had four countries in the region where examinations didn't happen and there had to be alternative assessment strategies.
00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:51.599
So one of the things that's kept us busy running into the summer, and then towards the end of the summer, obviously, as results came out, was keeping in contact with the examination boards, with OFQL, the regulator in the UK for examination boards and the Department for Education, and just talking through that process of special consideration for students who weren't able to sit their examinations.
00:03:51.840 --> 00:04:02.639
And that's pretty much still an ongoing process, um, trying to really make sure that all of our students have got the grades that they deserved, whatever the mechanism was of assessment for them within their country.
00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:12.800
So that's been a large part of the bits and pieces of work that I've been doing over the summer, and of course, keeping in contact with our friends and colleagues in other school organisations.
00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:29.040
We've worked a lot with COBIS, AOBSO and HMC on the whole exam issue because, of course, they also have member schools in the region, and we've very much had a joint approach to that problem solving as that work that we do as a British International Schools Association group.
00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:37.839
Um, and also been working with those colleagues on looking at the UK's international education strategy and how we can help implement that in our region.
00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:40.800
So that's what's kept me busy, part of my summer holidays.
00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:43.839
But as I said, I did manage to have some lovely downtime too.
00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:44.720
I'm glad.
00:04:44.800 --> 00:04:45.279
I'm glad.
00:04:45.439 --> 00:04:46.560
So that's where we're up to.
00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:54.879
I know that's been still keeping us busy the last uh couple of weeks, but we're also starting to look ahead to what's coming up for the rest of the year, right?
00:04:54.959 --> 00:05:02.480
Um, I know the office is well, last week was our first week back in the office and all together as a team, and it was really lovely to see everybody.
00:05:02.639 --> 00:05:08.000
It was also a real flurry of activity preparing for the year ahead.
00:05:08.160 --> 00:05:11.439
Um, I know we wanted to talk about student events.
00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:14.800
You work a little bit more closely with the student events team than I do.
00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:20.959
Do you want to give people a bit of a highlight of maybe a few of the things that are coming up this year that we look forward to?
00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.920
And and student events is an interesting one.
00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:31.360
At the minute, um, as Nalini said earlier, things are peaceful and quiet and feeling quite normal.
00:05:31.519 --> 00:05:38.879
And the student events team, Rachel, um, Amy, and and Leila, have been planning for normality.
00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:42.560
So we do have a full schedule of student events planned for the year.
00:05:42.720 --> 00:05:46.800
I think we're looking at upwards of 60 um different student events this year.
00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:52.240
Um, but of course, we're also planning for other eventualities should they arise.
00:05:52.319 --> 00:05:58.800
So we do have lots of plan B's in the background and strategies that we'll move to should things change.
00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:02.639
But at the moment, we're planning for normal and hoping that that's will be where we are.
00:06:02.879 --> 00:06:06.800
And within that um 60 or so student events, we do have some new ones.
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:15.360
So, new events for this year are um our student conference, which hopefully will be one of our big events that's taking place, I think November Nalini, that is, right?
00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:16.560
Yeah, end of November.
00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.439
I think it's the last weekend in November, off the top of my head.
00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:23.120
We are also doing MUN for the first time this year.
00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:28.240
That's being hosted by um Gems Founder School in Dubai, and that's going to be taking place in March.
00:06:28.560 --> 00:06:48.079
And also we're really excited because this is an event that I've wanted to get going since I first uh took over as CEO four years ago, and that's a unified games, and that's being hosted for us by British Gallery Jameera, and that will be um a unified games event that is being especially organised for students with different needs.
00:06:48.319 --> 00:06:52.639
We're doing that in conjunction with the Special Olympics Committee, they're supporting us on that.
00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:55.040
So I'm very excited to have that on the calendar.
00:06:55.199 --> 00:07:00.399
And hot off the press this morning, Rachel mentioned that there might also be a chess competition coming up.
00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:05.680
It's a bit of question mark at the moment, but we're hoping that we'll finalise that and add that to the calendar too.
00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:06.639
Oh, nice.
00:07:07.279 --> 00:07:08.959
Do you know how to play chess?
00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:10.639
I did once.
00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.600
I was gonna say, can you teach me?
00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:16.800
I don't think I yeah, when I was at school I played, but I haven't got a clue now.
00:07:16.959 --> 00:07:17.120
Right.
00:07:17.199 --> 00:07:18.959
So you neither you and I will be in the chess company.
00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:21.120
You and I over a coffee right then, Nalini.
00:07:21.360 --> 00:07:24.399
I was gonna say, but we won't be in the chess competition then.
00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:26.000
Never mind.
00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:32.240
Um, okay, so the other big bit of work that we do um as an organization is of course professional learning.
00:07:32.399 --> 00:07:38.800
So supporting teachers and leaders in their own uh career development to ultimately support our students.
00:07:38.959 --> 00:07:41.519
And that's the team that I work a lot more closely with.
00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:49.360
So we have, if you are not aware, uh we do have uh an event called TeacherCon that we've been running for the last three years.
00:07:49.439 --> 00:07:51.680
So could they not know Liling?
00:07:52.399 --> 00:07:53.519
It might be new in region.
00:07:53.680 --> 00:07:54.480
I think that's allowed.
00:07:54.560 --> 00:07:55.279
I think that's allowed.
00:07:55.839 --> 00:08:03.839
So if you're not aware, we're running TeacherCon Dubai on the 3rd of October in Dubai at Arcadia Global School this year.
00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:08.240
Um, and that is open to basically educators from anywhere.
00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:14.800
Um, you don't have to be at a BSME school, you can come from any uh any curriculum, it's curriculum agnostic.
00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:17.759
Come along, have a day full of learning.
00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:25.680
There are panel sessions, there are roundtables, there are um keynotes, workshops, um, exhibitors, plenty to do.
00:08:25.839 --> 00:08:27.759
Um, tickets are available online now.
00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:30.079
If you haven't got one already, go for that.
00:08:30.319 --> 00:08:36.879
We ran a competition for uh a free ticket, and uh the winner has been awarded, I think that was about 10 days ago.
00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:47.919
But we're running the same competition for our brand new TeacherCon Saudi, which is coming up in November, and that's gonna be taking place at the British International School of Jeddah.
00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:52.000
So that will be our first iteration of TeacherCon in Saudi.
00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:57.519
And last year we ran TeacherCon in Doha, and we're going to be running that again for the second time.
00:08:57.679 --> 00:09:02.960
So, teachers in any of those places, or indeed if you're coming from other countries, you're welcome at any of those events.
00:09:03.200 --> 00:09:08.879
Really exciting day-to-day stuff that you can take into your classroom, which I think is uh always a nice thing.
00:09:09.120 --> 00:09:16.480
So the teacher cons are obviously uh a big thing for us, but we're also launching uh much like students, we're launching a few new uh events this year.
00:09:16.559 --> 00:09:19.200
So we're going to be having a leadership retreat.
00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:24.720
It will be quite an exclusive event just for sort of you know 15 or so heads of our schools.
00:09:24.879 --> 00:09:32.879
Um, you can be a principal, you could be a vice principal, right down to I'd say probably about an assistant head level.
00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:41.200
If you're looking at improving your own practice as a leader, it's very much about reflecting on your own practice and growing that, perhaps changing.
00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:50.320
Perhaps you've you've been a principal for 20 years and you you you simply want to just reconnect with uh what your goals are, have some downtime.
00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:53.120
It's going to be in a really lovely, relaxing venue.
00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:58.639
So if you simply want to come and get away from the kids for uh 48 hours, um you're also very welcome.
00:09:58.799 --> 00:10:01.200
There'll be more details on that going out soon.
00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.960
What else do we have going on?
00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:10.159
We will be having a uh a well-being and safeguarding conference at the moment, penciled in the calendar for uh for January.
00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:14.559
Um, and a couple of things that are returning after a short break.
00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:30.240
We we don't necessarily run them every year, um, but this academic year we're going to be having the New and Aspiring Leaders Conference, a PE conference, and our EYFS, which does usually run every year, but unfortunately had to be postponed last year due to the uh the conflict.
00:10:30.559 --> 00:10:35.519
Nilaney, with the with the teacher cons there, are we still looking for speakers for those events?
00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:48.000
No, we've got programmes fully planned for um for Dubai and uh Saudi, but the uh speaker proposals or the workshop proposals will be opening for Qatar in the not too distant future.
00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:56.320
So if you are in or willing to travel to Qatar and would like to speak at that, just keep that in mind and keep an eye on the website once that's released.
00:10:56.559 --> 00:11:00.240
Website, social media, it will be pushed out on all of those so you don't miss anything.
00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:03.200
What else might teachers be missing out on?
00:11:03.279 --> 00:11:03.919
I'm trying to think.
00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.720
What else do we do?
00:11:04.879 --> 00:11:06.080
Oh, networks, of course.
00:11:08.240 --> 00:11:10.320
Um growing all the time.
00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:11.759
Growing all the time.
00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:20.879
We have, I believe, 30 networks at the moment, but I am informed that we are also going to be launching uh a new network for ECTs.
00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:32.480
Um, so if you are fairly new in your career, in your role, um, and you would like to connect with others at the same, share hints, tips, etc., um, and perhaps have a little bit of learning there.
00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:36.080
Join the upcoming ECT network once that's launched.
00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:42.480
If you're not aware of networks already, they are open for all BSME uh schools, teachers at all BSME schools.
00:11:42.639 --> 00:11:44.000
We run the networks online.
00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.759
There's a network meeting once a term.
00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:59.919
So essentially, even if you are in, I don't know, Salala, if you're in Basra, somewhere where it's not so easy for you to physically get to one of our events, you can still have that connection with your peers and also some learning.
00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:01.679
So yeah, look out for those.
00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:04.399
I know we've run we ran a couple of collabs.
00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:06.879
We mentioned that in our closing episode of last year.
00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:18.399
The collabs are the the face-to-face sort of slightly extended network days where people get together and we ran a an AI net sorry, an AI collab last year, and we ran a performing.
00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:21.360
Yes, yeah.
00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.360
So there's going to be a careers one this year.
00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:29.120
I think that's already penciled penciled into the calendar for or it's it's coming up quite soon.
00:12:29.200 --> 00:12:36.639
I I'd say it's uh October, November, so keep an eye out for that if you're uh uh part of Six Form or Careers Guidance, etc.
00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:43.519
And always uh happy to support more wherever wherever somebody would like to uh to run a collab or a network.
00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:47.360
And I'm gonna finish off before because I feel like I've talked an awful lot now.
00:12:47.519 --> 00:12:55.440
Um if you are a principal, we do of course have our annual school leaders conference coming up, um the theme of which is the joy of leadership this year.
00:12:55.919 --> 00:13:04.639
And you will be getting uh various things dropping into your email inbox in the next month or so so that you can register and come along to that.
00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:13.200
So I hope to uh see whoever's listening in person at one of those events, it would be really lovely to connect with some people in person in the coming academic year.
00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:17.679
Lots of lots of um professional learning things to look forward to there, Nalini.
00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:45.759
And I would say if you're you're new to the region, new to a BSME school, uh or maybe not, but you've just learned about us, um I would say that the connections that we foster between school leaders, between teachers of all subjects at all levels, but even networks for your administrators and connections for for your ancillary staff, your head of HR, your head of business, I think they're probably one of the key benefits of membership of the organization.
00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:50.399
And I don't think there was a time when this was more obvious than during the conflict.
00:13:50.559 --> 00:13:57.919
I think having those those colleagues that you could reach out to in other schools doing a similar role to yourself were absolutely invaluable.
00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:07.360
So if you don't do anything else, I'd say definitely avail of that opportunity to connect with your peers within your own country, but also across the region.
00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:14.960
There's just so much great practice there to share, or even just someone to talk to when things are maybe not going fantastically well.
00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:16.480
Yeah, no, that's really nice.
00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:20.960
So something else that we're going to resurrect there is um the new heads buddy system.
00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:22.480
The heads buddy system, yeah.
00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:26.159
We we did have this running Nilanya a few years ago and it sort of went a little bit quiet.
00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:34.159
And uh as we were mentioning at the start of the podcast here, we have lots of new schools and lots of new heads coming into existing schools as well.
00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:38.480
So we did think this was a really good time to relaunch this heads buddy system.
00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:51.600
Um we have um a co-opted member of our executive committee who's going to pick this up for us, Tracy Crowdercloud, who's going to pick this up uh as her responsibility and working with the team on this.
00:14:51.759 --> 00:15:19.759
And the aim, of course, is that if you are a new head in one of the BSME schools and you may be new to the region, you may be new to headship, you may be within the same school and have moved up to headship or coming from somewhere else completely, getting you connected with somebody that works in your region, maybe that works in a similar type of school to yourself, so that you've got someone that you can connect with on a daily basis just to ask the dumb questions that you're not quite sure where to take.
00:15:19.919 --> 00:15:23.440
Of course, there's no such thing as a dumb question, but it can often feel that way.
00:15:23.600 --> 00:15:26.559
Um, and we all know that headship can be can be quite lonely.
00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:38.639
You can't always share things that are concerning you with your leadership team, with people in your school, and to have that um connection externally, but somebody that knows what that role is like is invaluable.
00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:43.600
And we'll be getting in touch with all of the new heads of our BSME schools in the next couple of weeks.
00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:51.840
We'll let you get your school settled first, and then we'll reach out and help get you connected with somebody else so that nobody feels that they're facing any challenges alone.
00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:58.080
And you've got some interesting, uh, an interesting new development coming up in in your area of work, Nalini, haven't you, on DEI?
00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.279
Yes.
00:15:59.360 --> 00:16:05.200
So for those of you who don't know me, my my previous role before I came to BSME was actually as a full-time researcher.
00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:08.720
That is what my master's is in, and it's uh it remains a passion.
00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:10.480
I do love a little bit of research.
00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:16.240
I also am incredibly passionate about um everybody feeling that sense of belonging.
00:16:16.399 --> 00:16:30.159
And so BSME is going to be launching some research into DEIB within our schools community um this year and the wider community, so that there is uh hopefully a baseline that we can perhaps reflect on in a few years' time.
00:16:30.240 --> 00:16:32.720
So, again, it's a case of watch this space.
00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:47.200
Um, there will be some some surveys and some interviews coming out in a hope that uh we can make sure that this sense of community that we work so hard to uh to ensure is there is inclusive of everybody and that everyone has a seat at the table.
00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:53.759
That idea of everyone feeling that they belong, that they're represented and supported is incredibly important to us at BSME.
00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:59.759
So it really important research and uh delighted that we've got Nalini's skills coming to the fore on that.
00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:01.120
Thank you.
00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:12.400
So now, because we're gluttons for punishment, we've also um decided that we're going to be releasing a monthly update email uh in the hope that we can uh uh effectively communicate with you.
00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:22.079
We've had a lot of requests uh over the last 12 to 18 months, I'd say, for to be added to our mailing list, um, which technically doesn't quite exist in that way.
00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:35.440
We have obviously lists of members and we contact people about various things that are pertinent to them, but a bit more of a more general mailing list, whether you're a BSME member or not, so that you can know what's going on, um, just as a quick overview.
00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:43.279
Uh so if you are interested in uh receiving a monthly update from us, please get in touch and ask to be added to the mailing list.
00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:47.119
There will be a link going up on the website where you can register for that very shortly.
00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:51.440
But of course, we mustn't forget we've been talking about schools, which is why we're all here.
00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:52.720
That's really important.
00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:58.880
But an incredibly um equally important part of our community are, of course, our partner members.
00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:02.480
And we've got a few nice things coming up for them as well this year.
00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:12.000
We've come up with some new new ways to access the annual conference, which should hopefully enable us to welcome a few more uh of our partner members.
00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:14.799
Uh, watch this space for our partner members.
00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.960
Tanya will be in touch with details.
00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:38.799
Um, but in the very near future, we'll be welcoming our new partners alongside our partner Reps, and we will have an upcoming podcast episode, possibly a webinar if uh if we get enough uh interest uh to explore how you can make the most of your partner membership to make sure that you're not missing out on anything and that you are as involved as you can be getting the most out of our community.
00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:41.680
Yeah, Tanya's done some great work with the partners.
00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:50.880
Um, hopefully, if you are a partner, you'll have received your renewal information and we'll have got that sorted so that you're ready enrolling as soon as we release annual conference registration.
00:18:51.119 --> 00:19:00.000
If you're if you're working for an educational company and you're not a member of BSME but will be interested in joining us, please do pop along to the website and look up our partner membership section.
00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:04.240
You can drop us an email there to let us know that you're interested and we can have chat.
00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.440
Fantastic.
00:19:05.680 --> 00:19:11.680
Well, now when we started this, I think before we actually started recording, we said, Oh, this we've not got that much to talk about.
00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:13.039
How will we get an episode?
00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:15.680
And I have a feeling we've talked for far longer than we thought.
00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:22.240
But it's been really nice to catch up and just uh, I suppose consolidate everything that's coming, and it's quite an exciting year ahead for us.
00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:28.559
And it's certainly made me feel very excited about the year that we have ahead of us, lots of new things to bring to the fore.
00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:34.640
And I'm looking really looking forward to connecting people again, starting to have heads meetings and to dropping into schools.
00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:39.440
We've certainly got some um some applications in, quite a lot of applications in from new member schools.
00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:45.599
So I'm also looking forward to to getting out and into those schools, meeting those those teachers, students, and school leaders.
00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.319
Fantastic.
00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:52.799
Well, if anything has piqued your interest uh on today's episode that you'd like to know more about, please head to our website.
00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:56.000
And if you can't find what you're looking for, drop us a note there.
00:19:56.079 --> 00:19:58.720
Um there is a contact form and that will come through to us.
00:19:58.880 --> 00:20:02.559
Otherwise, I think that's probably about time for us to wind up.
00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:07.680
And uh we look forward to seeing you on one of the upcoming episodes or at one of our future events.
00:20:07.920 --> 00:20:09.839
And wish you all a fantastic year ahead.
