team work – Happy Schools

How to Handle New Enrolments

May 16, 2019

We live and work in a transient society. This brings many enriching experiences for us but can also increase stress and anxiety for both staff and students in schools. Whilst this is now more consistency in the curriculum across schools there are other factors that also affect how smoothly these transitions take place. Acknowledging the inevitability of ever-changing school populations and addressing the challenges these present, can improve the outcomes for everyone involved, especially if a collaborative and systematic approach is used. For students, research shows that not only can moving schools be detrimental for them socially, it can also have an adverse effect on their academic achievement. This means it is doubly important that schools do everything within their…

Communicate & Connect Minus Technology

May 11, 2017

Stevef

Communication

It is pretty easy when you have something to say to write an email and push send. Whilst it “ticks” the box of having “told” people, many wonder why staff, parents and students don’t read emails or say they received it. In its simplistic form, the human brain is wired for fight or flight. As primates, every piece of information received was processed on this basis and the appropriate action was taken. Today, our brains are literally assaulted on a 24/7 basis with information. Radio, TV, newspapers, billboards, traffic lights, railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, the chatter of people around you. The challenge is blocking out the “noise” and focusing on the RIGHT STUFF… the things that really matter. With millions…

Attributes of Gr8 Teams

April 20, 2017

Stevef

Teamwork

Schools are complex places and teamwork is vital. Staff in schools are members of many teams. These include teaching teams, year level teams, faculty teams, special needs teams, front office teams, curriculum teams, project teams, leadership teams as well as work teams. Teams have the potential to be powerful problem solving groups. However, working in teams often involves meetings and they have the potential to be monumental time wasters and time is a precious resource in schools. It is vital that we use time efficiently. Meetings need to have a clear purpose and operate effectively and efficiently. If this isn’t happening, all participants need to take responsibility for raising the issue and openly discussing their concerns and how improvements could…

10 Steps to a Positive Attitude Towards People you Deal With

December 1, 2016

Stevef

Effectiveness

Our attitude has a huge impact on our interaction with others. It therefore has a significant impact on our ability to relate to people and our stress levels. Optimise your optimism. Attitude comes before behaviour. The more positive your attitude, the more positive your behaviour, the more positive the results. Learn to be optimistic. Have a favourable attitude towards all people. When you expect people to be untrustworthy or of questionable character, your attitude will be cautious and suspicious. Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a passionate person when it comes to your work. People prefer to deal with enthusiastic people. On every occasion, treat a person’s issue as if it’s the first time you’ve dealt with an issue like that one.…

Alternatives to Collective Punishment

March 26, 2015

Stevef

Behaviour Management

I suspect many teachers have had an experience like this: A paper airplane, ball of paper, or pencil flies through the air, or somebody makes an obnoxious noise. The object is probably aimed at another student, and it may or may not hit the intended target. The noise is just meant to be funny. You can tell the general area it came from, but you don’t really know who the culprit is. It’s frustrating because that kind of behaviour does not contribute to a learning community. What do you do? It’s not uncommon for teachers to first yell something like, “Who threw it?” No one admits to it, and then the teacher will punish the entire group. Here’s a definition…