Taking on Racism in Schools: A Framework for Cultivating an Inclusive Educational Environment
The fight against racism in schools is not a battle waged in isolation but a collective journey towards understanding, acceptance, and unity.
Confronting the Shadows: Addressing Staff Bullying in Schools
Staff bullying staff can be addressed with informed strategies In the nurturing halls of our schools, where we foster growth and community, a less-spoken of reality often lurks – staff bullying staff. This phenomenon, though uncomfortable to acknowledge, is a critical issue that undermines the very foundation of our educational values. Addressing this requires a […]
Have Schools and Teachers Lost Control in the Classroom?
Policymakers, administrators, and teachers should work together to develop comprehensive strategies and initiatives that promote positive behaviour. While there has been abundant media and social media discussion about the topic of late, it would be inaccurate to make a blanket statement that schools have lost control of student behaviour in classrooms and that there is […]
Reducing Teacher Anxiety in Schools
A principal can do a lot to reduce the amount of stress staff experience at school. Effective school leadership aids and supports reducing teacher anxiety in schools. It isn’t quite this simple, I know, but coupled with building resilience in teachers, a culture of high-quality communications with clarity and transparency, valuing teachers’ work and adding […]
You Will be Judged by Your School’s Culture
Culture is like the wind. It is invisible, yet its effect can be seen and felt. What is culture? When I mention culture, I am referring to organisational culture. Organisational culture (Schein, 2004) is the way things are done in a school: a shared sense of purpose and vision; social behaviours and the way people […]
Managing Staff Conflict
If there is conflict between staff members it will be left to the principal to come to a solution, first of all slow it down, and meet with the combatants face to face. As I reflect on over twenty years as a principal in four schools, staff matters consumed a significant amount of time and […]
A Roadmap to Resolution: 10 Strategies for Successfully Managing Staff Conflict
As I reflect on over twenty years as a principal in four schools, staff matters consumed a significant amount of time and effort and at times nearly caused major grief. Staff relationships, performance, managing conflict, ensuring engagement and alignment with the school’s values are some of the areas that consumed my energy. If there is […]
ACCOUNTABILITY – a ‘dirty’ word?
As a principal, or executive leader, you must have robust accountability frameworks to ensure that staff comply with your direction and that they perform to your standard, in your role as principal, acting for and on behalf of the board and the fee-paying parents. This is where courage comes into the game – do you […]
Successful principals are the right fit
“Right Fit” The foundation for a successful principalship, or tenure as a CEO, starts before the first day on the job. Boards have got to get this aspect of the recruitment right – the successful applicant must be the “right fit.” Right fit means the principal’s leadership compatibility and affinity with the context of the […]
For a Principal to be effective – context matters
The foundation for the effectiveness of the principal in large, P-12, autonomous, independent schools in Australia, hinges on the Board making a quality decision about the person they appoint to lead the school. The board’s most important role is to appoint and work with the Principal and this relationship is crucial to the school’s success. […]
