School leaders spend a lot of time developing strategic plans, setting goals and writing action plans. Often the best laid plans and intentions are often derailed and not realised owing to the constant struggle to maintain focus and keep on track. This, to a large extent, is precipitated by the number of 'other' matters that... Continue Reading →
Communication is such an important element of leading schools successfully, yet the amount of time we spend planning communication is grossly underestimated. Good communication within and external to a school can not just keep stakeholders informed of what is going on, it can create action when needed, establish a school's identity, purpose and direction, as... Continue Reading →
Leading successful change in schools is not just about the ideas and initiatives but the implementation. The best change agents are those who can see change through from start to finish and consolidate that change as part of a school's culture. This takes time, patience and, most importantly, follow-up. Leaders of change in schools must... Continue Reading →
Knowing when it is your turn, or your time, as a leader is an important skill to master that if done well can have a significant positive effect on those around us. Leaders need to go first in times when they are needed to model the way forward and set the example for others to... Continue Reading →
The purchase of new school materials to support student learning is the subject of much discussion among educators. Oftentimes, conversations center on there being inadequate resources in many of our schools. This may certainly be the case in a number of schools, but there are some cases where schools waste the resources that they are... Continue Reading →
In our schools we have huge responsibility beyond just focusing on teaching and learning. The level of compliance that schools now have to adhere to, some things for good reason, has placed significant strain on the human resources of a school, namely teachers and school leaders. While governing bodies surrounding education and child welfare have... Continue Reading →
To have a successful school, it requires leaders who are abreast of how everything in a school works. Schools are highly complex places where poor decision-making in one area of the school can have significant impact on another. Schools are complex in that external forces that either mandate or create pressure for change on certain... Continue Reading →
As a school leader, solving problems, moving initiatives forward and supporting colleagues requires difficult conversations from time to time. Reflecting further, depending on how much is going on in our respective school environments, it can appear at times the a number of difficult conversations are necessary in a short period of time. Without a doubt,... Continue Reading →
What will happen? How will they react? How will I be viewed? These are some of the questions that will go through the minds of school leaders when faced with making courageous decisions, or engaging in difficult conversations where feedback needs to be given to a colleague. There is a genuine sense of fear, which... Continue Reading →
