What does the term 'school culture' mean? The term 'culture' for schools reflects a certain atmosphere and an ethos that characterizes a school. It is the first thing you feel when you walk into a school campus. If the students are energetic and the staff cheerful and friendly, you’ve entered a school that has a positive school culture!
So how do you develop a positive school culture? Building a positive school culture takes consistent effort on the part of everyone involved, whether it be the students, teachers, non-teaching staff and parents. When all these stakeholders are aligned with the vision of the school, you are one step closer to building a positive culture.
In the UAE, this would entail even more specific alignment, considering that there are people from over a hundred nationalities and there are numerous different curriculums being followed in different schools. Hence, school administrators are recommended to take particular care that all its staff is aware of country-specific rules and regulations. Orientation programs for expatriate teachers, parents and students would help them get accustomed to the country's culture – all the do's, don’ts and nevers!
Here are a few tips for school administrations to help build a positive school culture:
1) Start with the vision of the school. Every school has a vision that reflects what it stands for. This is why it matters to ensure that your school's vision is highly visible and at the top of everyone's mind, which can be achieved by hanging the vision up on the school walls and talking about it during assembly-time. In addition, encouraging students to live by the school’s values and holding discussions on the subject will be proven valuable.
2) Focus on the positives. Unfortunately, negativity is easier to spread than positivity, which makes it all the more essential to spread positivity on school grounds, by praising the staff and students alike. Rather than exaggerated or vague compliments, specific and meaningful ones create a more positive impact. As a decision-maker, you can appreciate a teacher for handling a volatile situation with parents in a sensitive manner. By finding the positive in everyone, you can multiply the effect, building goodwill within the school’s culture!
3) Teach social skills. Students attend schools to learn about life alongside their subject matters. Therefore, essential skills need to be taught, such as how to behave in different situations, while learning about values such as respect, honesty, consideration for others, reliability and responsibility. When students are better equipped to handle various social situations, there will be less friction amongst them.
4) Establish rules consistently. Rules are rules and must be followed by all students. It’s also more effective to establish a few clear and simple rules. Once students get a general idea of the school's expectations, they’re more likely to stay consistent and peaceful!
5) Take appropriate disciplinary action. Where there are rules, there will be rule-breakers. Ensure that you don't simply give detention for all rule-breakers. Keep it context-specific. For example, for a budding graffiti artist, give a week of after-school cleaning duty. The consequences should have some relevance to the 'crime' committed. Students will, therefore, be more aware of their actions.
6) Appreciate your teachers. If your teachers are a happy lot, your battle is half won! The recipe for happy teachers is to treat them like they deserve, as people who get out there and try to make a difference in the lives of the many, many children they teach. Treat your teachers with respect, pay them well and on time, and give credit where it is due. When teachers are valued, they will, in turn, value their school and be more invested in it.
7) Build strong relationships. Good relationships between teachers, parents and students will help bring harmony to the school atmosphere. The stronger the bonds, the easier problem-solving will become. For this, you will need to provide parents and teachers opportunities to meet and interact. Encourage parents to participate in school activities and arrange frequent one-to-one meetings between teachers and parents.
8) Communicate clearly. Communication is key to keeping the school’s atmosphere positive! The lines of communication should be open at all times between teachers, parents, students and school administrators to keep expectations clear and positivity spreading!
Once you set the ball rolling towards building positive school culture, remain focused on the goal throughout the academic year, and good luck!
So how do you develop a positive school culture? Building a positive school culture takes consistent effort on the part of everyone involved, whether it be the students, teachers, non-teaching staff and parents. When all these stakeholders are aligned with the vision of the school, you are one step closer to building a positive culture.
In the UAE, this would entail even more specific alignment, considering that there are people from over a hundred nationalities and there are numerous different curriculums being followed in different schools. Hence, school administrators are recommended to take particular care that all its staff is aware of country-specific rules and regulations. Orientation programs for expatriate teachers, parents and students would help them get accustomed to the country's culture – all the do's, don’ts and nevers!
Here are a few tips for school administrations to help build a positive school culture:
1) Start with the vision of the school. Every school has a vision that reflects what it stands for. This is why it matters to ensure that your school's vision is highly visible and at the top of everyone's mind, which can be achieved by hanging the vision up on the school walls and talking about it during assembly-time. In addition, encouraging students to live by the school’s values and holding discussions on the subject will be proven valuable.
2) Focus on the positives. Unfortunately, negativity is easier to spread than positivity, which makes it all the more essential to spread positivity on school grounds, by praising the staff and students alike. Rather than exaggerated or vague compliments, specific and meaningful ones create a more positive impact. As a decision-maker, you can appreciate a teacher for handling a volatile situation with parents in a sensitive manner. By finding the positive in everyone, you can multiply the effect, building goodwill within the school’s culture!
3) Teach social skills. Students attend schools to learn about life alongside their subject matters. Therefore, essential skills need to be taught, such as how to behave in different situations, while learning about values such as respect, honesty, consideration for others, reliability and responsibility. When students are better equipped to handle various social situations, there will be less friction amongst them.
4) Establish rules consistently. Rules are rules and must be followed by all students. It’s also more effective to establish a few clear and simple rules. Once students get a general idea of the school's expectations, they’re more likely to stay consistent and peaceful!
5) Take appropriate disciplinary action. Where there are rules, there will be rule-breakers. Ensure that you don't simply give detention for all rule-breakers. Keep it context-specific. For example, for a budding graffiti artist, give a week of after-school cleaning duty. The consequences should have some relevance to the 'crime' committed. Students will, therefore, be more aware of their actions.
6) Appreciate your teachers. If your teachers are a happy lot, your battle is half won! The recipe for happy teachers is to treat them like they deserve, as people who get out there and try to make a difference in the lives of the many, many children they teach. Treat your teachers with respect, pay them well and on time, and give credit where it is due. When teachers are valued, they will, in turn, value their school and be more invested in it.
7) Build strong relationships. Good relationships between teachers, parents and students will help bring harmony to the school atmosphere. The stronger the bonds, the easier problem-solving will become. For this, you will need to provide parents and teachers opportunities to meet and interact. Encourage parents to participate in school activities and arrange frequent one-to-one meetings between teachers and parents.
8) Communicate clearly. Communication is key to keeping the school’s atmosphere positive! The lines of communication should be open at all times between teachers, parents, students and school administrators to keep expectations clear and positivity spreading!
Once you set the ball rolling towards building positive school culture, remain focused on the goal throughout the academic year, and good luck!
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