The start of a new term is a powerful moment to reset expectations and establish routines that support learning and wellbeing. While teachers play a critical role in building these routines, leadership support is what allows them to take root.

By simplifying the first week of term, creating space for professional dialogue, and responding quickly when children or teachers need support, leaders can help ensure routines are embedded with confidence and consistency. When adults share clear expectations and celebrate early successes, momentum builds — setting classrooms, and the wider school, up for a calm and successful term.

Many school leaders don’t feel stuck because they lack skill or experience; they feel stuck because they lack clarity. When competing demands crowd out time to think strategically, even strong leaders can lose momentum. Creating space for reflection and intentional leadership review can quickly restore focus and direction.

School culture does not remain neutral. Left unattended, it drifts — often in ways that undermine learning, trust, and relationships. In this piece, I explore why understanding culture deeply is the first responsibility of educational leaders, and how intentional, values-led leadership creates the conditions in which people and learning can thrive.

Read more →