Phil Ridden

This is the story of a remarkable pioneer Baptist missionary who established churches, and influenced communities, along the Great Southern Railway in Western Australia from 1898-1929. William Kennedy was an ordinary man who lived a life of extraordinary influence with his unerring faith and his determination to "find a way or make one". Although his name is immortalised in Kennedy Baptist College, William Kennedy Way in Narrogin, and several other organisations, he could not be considered famous or well known. He spoke out against social evils, including alcohol, and yet even publicans respected him and supported his causes. Publican, pioneer and mayor of Narrogin, Michael Brown, said that 'Me and Mr Kennedy built Narrogin". Kennedy had such a gift for water locating (or divining), that the WA Government gave him a first-class rail pass to travel throughout the southern half of the state to find water for remote farmers and communities - even though Kennedy claimed he had no idea how he did it. He and his wife lived a life of poverty and sacrifice, struggling with health issues on numerous occasions. Why? Because of a love for Jesus Christ, to whom he gave his entire life without reserve.

Brownie is an unusual chicken, who dances, sings, tries to fly over the fence and yearns for adventure. Her unusual antics make her a star. But then it all goes wrong. How will she sort out her life? If you've ever felt different from other kids, you'll love Brownie.

So you want to be a teacher? is designed to assist current and prospective teaching students to make the right decision about their future career. Drawing on their substantial experience in education, Phil Ridden and Tracey Gray delineate with engaging candour the path to becoming a teacher. The book explores why you might want to be a teacher, why you might not, and the personal qualities required. It describes what teachers actually do, the pay and the conditions, and looks at how you will train to be a teacher. The many options a teaching qualification proffers and the areas of specialisation available are also provided. The authors discuss the professional teaching standards within a national curriculum framework, and offer a peek into the future, as you make it to graduation and start out on your career. Throughout the book, the realities of teaching across all educational sectors are captured through the voices of successful teachers, finalists in the National Excellence in Teaching Awards (NEiTA). In addition, the account of one teacher's journey from struggling student to educational leader provides an inspirational tale. Fully referenced, with an appendix listing teaching courses throughout each state and territory, So you want to be a teacher? will ensure that if you do pursue a career in teaching, it will be with true conviction and the passion to thrive.

Leadership is an important activity. It is critical that today's youth learn to understand and exercise leadership, not as a power to be lorded over others, but as a relational skill which can enrich their lives and the lives of others, and can facilitate great achievements. Many people assume that leadership is a gift, which some have and others don't. While there is no doubt that some children, from an early age, exercise leadership and are looked upon as leaders by their peers, many students can learn to better use the leadership qualities which they have. In addition, students can be taught to recognise leadership qualities in others, qualities which go beyond bossiness and charisma. This book is based on the author's experience in teaching leadership to students. It can be used with Primary/Elementary and Secondary students, and can be adapted by the teacher to the needs of the group.

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including the Covid-19 virus. Isolation, lockdown, home schooling, washing hands, social distancing ... can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, they will conjure familiar images for you and will help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme.

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including babies. A nappy (diaper), a 3.00am feed, sleep deprivation, baby paraphernalia ... can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, it is likely they will conjure familiar images for you. I hope they will also help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. Those experiences allow the reader to reflect on their relationship with God. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme. Readers have said, "I am moved by the way you have related our relationships with our precious little ones to our own relationship with our Father in heaven." "As a mother, your words are so relatable and woke a range of emotions, a smile, a memory." "Made me smile thinking of greeting my son] in the morning." "Deeply touching." This is a book for men and women, parents and grandparents ... anyone who has experienced the all-consuming demands of a baby, and the unconditional love which it evokes in us.

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including men. Tools, sport, work, children, mates ...can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, it is likely they will conjure familiar images for you. I hope they will also help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme. This is a book for men and about men and the realities of their lives, passions and relationships.

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including seniors. Funerals, baldness, a check-up, love letters, a walking frame ...can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, it is likely they will conjure familiar images for you. I hope they will also help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme. This is a book for seniors and about seniors. It can be enjoyed by anyone from aged 13 to 103, anyone who has experienced or watched the process of ageing.

If we seek God, we will see Him revealed in the people and events in our lives. Including children. Hide and seek, tantrums, sleep, hospital, homework, graduating ... can each help us to reflect on faith. That is the purpose of this book. As you read these reflections, it is likely they will conjure familiar images for you. I hope they will also help you to meditate on God and your relationship with Him. Each of the sixty brief reflections is inspired by everyday experiences and emotions. This is not a book to be read from cover to cover. It is designed to be dipped into, sequentially or not, with favourite passages revisited from time to time. Perhaps it will inspire you to add your own reflections on the theme. This is a book for men and women, parents and grandparents ... anyone who has experienced the delights and stresses of raising children from infancy to adulthood.

Do you wish someone would explain Christianity simply, without all the confusing doctrine? Then here it is. This book explains Christianity, simply and with a little humour, as a group of friends around the barbecue might. Because God wants to be understood - and loved - by everyone, across all time and places and cultures. Jesus came to all, spoke to any who would listen, and left his message in the hands of a group of ordinary people. He still speaks to any who will listen. Also available as a drama script.

Do you wish someone would explain Christianity simply, without all the confusing doctrine? Then here it is. This drama script explains Christianity, simply and with a little humour, as a group of friends around the barbecue might. Because God wants to be understood - and loved - by everyone, across all time and places and cultures. Jesus came to all, spoke to any who would listen, and left his message in the hands of a group of ordinary people. He still speaks to any who will listen. Also available as a story.

What Teachers Need to Know About Assessment and Reporting is a response to the pressures on teachers and schools to not only improve the quality of teaching, but to demonstrate improved outcomes. Many teachers apply assessment approaches which are familiar from their own education or that are learnt from peers. This book seeks to fill the gap in teacher knowledge about assessment and reporting and to provide practical support in this area for teachers and school leaders. Exploring assessment from the perspectives of classroom, school, system and nation, it provides straightforward explanations of the complementary relationships of the different perspectives. A collaboration between an ex-school principal and a university academic, this book provides practical information in the context of sound research. It explores the various purposes of assessment along with practical guidance on creating and scoring assessments, interpreting and using data, and reporting the results to various audiences for various purposes. Key pointsWritten by a principal and an academic to bring together research knowledge with practical experience Thorough yet concise, with a focus on contemporary Australian and international research Written in a style that is accessible for busy teachers and clearly explains concepts and processes. Provides a comprehensive guide for developing best practice in assessment at a school

When Phil Ridden’s book School Management: A Team Approach was published in 1992, it met with critical acclaim. In it he described the evolving meaning of school leadership, promoting the notion of team leadership and exploring the implications for practice. While understandings and expectations have moved on, some of the essential principles conveyed in that influential work are yet to be adeptly applied in schools. Keys to School Leadership reviews the core concepts that are still fundamental to leadership success today through a contemporary lens, and expands on these to reveal emerging directions for school leaders. Keys to School Leadership works because it comes from a principal and an academic whose dual perspectives inform and underpin this practical, highly accessible guide. Each chapter contains ‘Reflect’, ‘Shift the Focus’, ‘Make it Personal’ and ‘Further investigation’ sections that scaffold the developing themes. Moving from leadership to influence, from individual to team, from classroom to school, and beyond, Keys to School Leadership embeds a critically reflective mindset not just for principals, but for all school-based people who lead or who aspire to lead.

Phil Ridden loves education. But he is worried about teachers. So many seem to have lost their sense of purpose - they feel put upon and powerless; they feel alone in a difficult job. Phil is aware that there are many things over which teachers have little control and which are difficult to change, but he also knows that teachers can change how they view the challenges they face, and how they deal with them. For Those Who Teach draws on the author’s wealth of experience and on his passion for teaching. Much more than homilies or sage words of advice, this book seems to actively engage teachers and help shape their attitudes. In a succinct, direct and positive manner, all aspects of teaching are addressed. From context to curriculum, from collaboration to coping, For Those Who Teach will inspire teachers to regain their balance, their focus, their motivation and sense of worthThis is a unique book, which ought to be read by every teacher – at every level, in every subject, in every school/