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From the Ground Up: How a Community with a Vision and a Principal with a Purpose Created a Thriving State School
Taking Albert Park College from forced closure to Australia's School of the Year
In 2006, Albert Park College, a public secondary school in inner-city Melbourne, was closed after a dramatic loss in confidence caused enrolments to plummet. Devastated yet determined parents rallied and convinced the education department to give the school a second chance. The old buildings were bulldozed and a new school began to take shape.
At the same time, experienced public school educator Steven Cook was in search of a fresh start. He took on the job as principal of the new college, moved into the local area, became part of the community and got to work.
In 2021, Albert Park College was voted Australian School of the Year.
In From the Ground Up, Steven Cook reveals how a thriving new college was created where the previous one had failed, and what it takes to create a successful public school. He reflects on his career as an educator, and demonstrates how to rebuild and renew our public schools to give our young people and our nation a great future. This is an inspiring story of how learning from our mistakes can result in our greatest achievements.
In 2006, Albert Park College, a public secondary school in inner-city Melbourne, was closed after a dramatic loss in confidence caused enrolments to plummet. Devastated yet determined parents rallied and convinced the education department to give the school a second chance. The old buildings were bulldozed and a new school began to take shape.
At the same time, experienced public school educator Steven Cook was in search of a fresh start. He took on the job as principal of the new college, moved into the local area, became part of the community and got to work.
In 2021, Albert Park College was voted Australian School of the Year.
In From the Ground Up, Steven Cook reveals how a thriving new college was created where the previous one had failed, and what it takes to create a successful public school. He reflects on his career as an educator, and demonstrates how to rebuild and renew our public schools to give our young people and our nation a great future. This is an inspiring story of how learning from our mistakes can result in our greatest achievements.
- GenresNonfiction
183 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2023
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 17, 2023
Loved the focus on creativity and power of community. A must read to better understand the experiences of principals/schools and learn from their insights.
August 6, 2023
A very accessible read about the difference that the committed leadership of a school principal working with their community can make. It wasn’t an easy start but it was a fabulous achievement.
It’s a great story that documents the path he followed to become a leader of a school that reflects the community need as well as leading the way in ground breaking school design. Working closely with architects he lead the way in putting learning and creativity first in school design. A required read for teachers, education bureaucrats and principals who want to engage with their community.
It’s a great story that documents the path he followed to become a leader of a school that reflects the community need as well as leading the way in ground breaking school design. Working closely with architects he lead the way in putting learning and creativity first in school design. A required read for teachers, education bureaucrats and principals who want to engage with their community.
March 29, 2023
My kids go to APC but did not attend a local primary school so I bought this book to learn a bit more about Steven Cook's vision and journey. This books is really well written, honest and engaging. Very interesting to read about the govt. bureaucracy, paper work and micro management principals must endure; and the inability to make decisions about very important things like student expulsions. Hopefully this book inspires others to great things in public education.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews