I currently teach in a Decile 6 school which is attended by 230 students from a variety of backgrounds. We have students who identify with not just one but sometimes two or three cultures.
“School culture manifests itself in customs, rituals,symbols, stories, and language” (Scholl, 1998, pg 10).
A school's culture is influenced by so many factors, including the school's values, our traditions and how we treat people. There are many people that influence this culture, the board, the senior management team, the teachers, the support staff, the admin staff, the whanau, the community, and most importantly the children. Therefore all of the listed parties have an impact on a school's culture. Trusheim (2015) states that the existing culture sets the tone for what happens within a school.
The children attend school so they can learn to interact with people who are not in their family or who are not like them. They learn to negotiate, compromise and to connect with other in helping the develop an understanding of themselves and others (Dunkelblau, 2015).
My school has a well developed values system which is taught a cross the school from year 1 to year 6. The children learn about the meaning of the value in the classroom but are encouraged to use the values through out their learning environment. In the play ground, in their buddy work, when interacting with staff and other students, when communicating with family members and members of the community.
The children come first in our school, the staff are there for them, to provide them with an education, a structured environment, a place that offers consequences and boundaries and for some breakfast, a warm room to sit in and a friendly face to talk to.
As teachers we need to often adapt and show flexibility in how and what we do. This can be due to a number of contributing factors. Communication is clear between staff members, especially in my team as we are continually chatting and reflecting on what we do. Each team in our school runs differently and has their own way of doing things.
Listed below are all ten of Stoll and Fink’s (1996) cultural norms would be ideal but realistically our school are achieving the ones that I have highlighted.
1. Shared goals—“we know where we’re going”
2. Responsibility for success—“we must succeed”
3. Collegiality—“we’re working on this together”
4. Continuous improvement—“we can get better”
5. Lifelong learning—“learning is for everyone”
6. Risk taking—“we learn by trying something new”
7. Support—“there’s always someone there to help”
8. Mutual respect—“everyone has something to offer”
9. Openness—“we can discuss our differences”
10. Celebration and humour—“we feel good about ourselves”
A larger issue facing the school is there will a new principal appointed in the future therefore there will be change coming. Change is good!
Academy for SELinSchools. ( 2015). What is school culture and climate? [video file].Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-_NvhlcusQ
Stoll. (1998). School Culture. School Improvement Network’s Bulletin 9. Institute of Education, University of London. Retrieved from http://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Culture/Understanding-school-cultures/School-Culture
Hi Lorna, I really like your meme on school culture. It is everything, and it is my belief that it starts from the top. It begins with the leader and will filter down throughout the school. To have a clear vision and focus that is based on strong communication skills and a positive school culture. All the best for your new principal. I'm sure staff and BOT have made the right choice for your school :)
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