Reporting periods for many school staff are a time of tension and stress, where tempers are tested and a good night’s sleep becomes a distant memory. Instead of dreading its approach and using weak coping strategies like counting down the days till the holidays, try planning early (read, super-early – like, now!) to make reporting…
Moments of Truth – Keeping parents on our Side
A Moment of Truth is any interaction in which the client or customer comes into contact with our services and forms an impression of our school. The concept originated in Scandinavian Airlines by President and CEO Jan Carlson. In the case of Scandinavian Airlines, Moments of Truth for passengers are the times when they come…
Eight Principles of exceptional Productivity (part 2)
In part 1 we highlighted that time is the most precious resource we will ever get to manage. The more productive we are at work, the more precious time we can allocate to the other important areas of our lives. The first four Principles:- ENERGISE, EMPOWER, EDUCATE and ENGAGE were emphasised. Here are powerful…
Eight Principles of Exceptional Productivity (Part 1)
Time is the most precious resource we will ever get to manage. We can’t create or buy more of it, so a critical key to achieving a healthier work-life balance lies in how we use our time. The more productive we are at work, the more precious time we can allocate to the other important…
Planning a Quality Parent Information Session
Maintaining a solid connection with parents is critical to ensuring a happy school environment and at the beginning of the year it is particularly important that a culture of high expectations, support, warmth and openness is established. Time and energy invested in this area also eases pressure on school staff later on because trusting parents…
Implementing Change – Predictable Stages of Concern
Feeling inundated and overwhelmed by the feeling of constant change? You aren’t alone! Staff in many schools feel that their world is in a constant state of flux and to an extent they are right! Much HAS changed, IS changing and WILL continue to change in schools. Increased accountability, tightening budgets, increasing expectations, changing curriculum,…
Time in the Learning Zone
My greatest learning experiences have always come when I have been challenged and taken out of my comfort zone:- learning to ride a bike, abseiling out of a tree and my frustrating efforts learning Cantonese are prime examples. For true learning to occur we have to be at least slightly uncomfortable. We need to have…
Effective Meetings
Schools are busy places, filled with busy people. Often there is too much to do and not enough time. It is therefore essential that available time is well utilised. We have all attended meetings that have been a frustrating waste of time. Some of them have been meetings that we have led. Meetings that are…
The Secret to a Great Year By Elena Aguilar
If I could, I’d lay money on the claim I’m about to make: If you do the one little thing I’m about to suggest, you will have a great school year. Here it is: At the end of every day, identify three things that went well. That’s part one — what went well? When did…
Countering Workplace Gossip by Ken Warren
Let me start by saying that I am not against sharing personal news and accessing support from colleagues at school. In fact, such informal conversations are often typical of high-performing teams. But friendly work banter is quite different from gossip, which can be quite destructive to workplace relationships, morale and productivity. There are two main types…
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