February 2024 – Happy Schools

Ten Tips for Beating Fatigue

February 29, 2024

I’m tired! There’s too much going on outside of work, too much work inside of work. I’m reaching the tired that obliterates memory of antidotes and there are still lessons to be planned, work to be marked and reports to be written. So I’m going to brainstorm a list of what helps to prevent plunges into fatigue: #1. Take a 10-minute walk. They say I’ll feel the energetic benefits from a 10-minute walk for the following two hours. One of the first things we tend to do when we are busy and stressed is STOP exercising, yet this is the thing we need most! #2. Stop reading anything related to education for a week. Or cut down by 90…

Time Management Tips For Staff in Schools

February 22, 2024

Stevef

Efficiency

Research shows that the average classroom teacher will make more than 1500 educational decisions every school day. That is more than four decisions every minute. Working in the school office and as support staff can be just as busy! It is no wonder we feel over-whelmed by the demands of working in schools. Time doesn’t change. No matter how organised we are, there are still always only 24 hours in a day. All we can actually manage is ourselves and what we do with the time that we have available. Time management is about using the time that you have available as productively as possible. It IS about working smarter – not harder. Identify any issues that are contributing to…

Thank Parents When They Bring You Problems

February 15, 2024

Stevef

Communication

Teachers and other staff in schools can be on the receiving end of complaints from parents about problems related to children or issues that may have happened at school. Respond appropriately and you will more than likely strengthen that parent’s relationship with your school and your personal reputation. Fob off their problem or complaint and you have probably created a recruit for the school car park committee, who have very little positive to say about anyone at your school. Often when a parent has a concern or a complaint, they will have rehearsed over and over beforehand what they are going to say. It is helpful to listen attentively and try not to interrupt by responding, until they have finished…

Your Mood Matters

February 8, 2024

Stevef

Engagement

The Harvard Business Review (HBR) lists emotional intelligence (EQ) as the number one quality of a great leader. The essence of EQ is to know yourself, manage yourself and manage relationships. Knowing yourself is the key as it allows you to manage yourself, which allows you to manage others. Out of all the various aspects of emotional intelligence, HBR states that the leader’s mood has the most significant impact on the culture of an organisation (…and the same applies in the classroom) DUH! Can you recall a time when you had a boss who stormed out of his / her office? As they stomped around the school looking like thunder, did you immediately look up and think, “Oh…

Positive Parent Information Sessions

February 1, 2024

Stevef

Communication

Developing a trusting partnership between the school and the home not only benefits the student but can reduce stress on school staff. Parents who trust teachers and the staff of the school are far more likely to give the school the benefit of the doubt and be more forgiving of a mistake. Where trust is not evident, parents are more likely to be cautious and suspicious. Parent information sessions are important opportunities for building trust with parents. Information afternoons or evenings for parents are important occasions for starting to build trust with parents and setting the tone for a productive year. It can be helpful to consider the session from the parents’ viewpoint. They come along to the session to…