The Polytechnic had a more formal start last week with the first statewide meeting in Launceston. After a welcome from Glenn Smith the day started in earnest with Belinda McLennan's presentation 'The Big Picture'. The challenges ahead: - An opportunity to shine, being watched from outside. - Expectations of our learners - Increasing retention and completions for PY10, also participation rates in the greater Tas population. Language Usage - What does Polytechnic mean? We had a brief recap of various quotes and diagrams that have been in circulation so far - the triangle and the football. P's of the polytechnic:

• Preparation
• Pathways
• Professionals, Para-professionals & Technical
• Professionalism
• Productive & engaged learners, employees and citizens

Polytechnic is quality education: applied, flexible supported, connected. It has a future focus. Applied learning: Learning applied in work and life, real and simulated, experiential Problem based, negotiated learning in a workforce/ place futures ecosystem Integrated learning: polytechnic graduate attributes Learning builds on and recognises previous and current experiences Lifelong learners - for life and work Supported Learning: Start support from where the learner is. Connected Learning: Work placements, community partnerships (including R&R), other educational institutions, agencies for disengaged and disconnected, indigenous communities etc Flexible Learning :-) Collaborative timetabling & scheduling enabling access, participation and achievement Online, off campus, on campus Outreach and partnerships ICT enabled: including Web2 and social networking tools and platforms and LMS Mix & Match course design and awards VET and TCE and literacy numeracy and ICT standards Capable facilitators of learning and confident, exploratory learners Enrolments from college cohort 3449 students coming into YR11 (May be some people enrolling in both academy and polytechnic but we will see) After Belinda spoke we broke into smaller groups for discussion, then had lunch, and back together in the main hall for presentations by the six senior managers of the Polytechnic. Tricky spot after lunch. Enough said. Finally we broke into our workgroups and met briefly before piling back into cars and heading home. Lots of new faces to get to know, and I wonder which ones will form part of my team next year - a selection process is underway for 4 more Resource Development Advisors.