Who is familiar with the term ‘comfort zone’?  I think we’d pretty much all have come across it at some stage, whether in terms of work, lifestyle or education.  It is a term that is meant to convey an area of general comfort and confidence in whatever we are doing or being.

Our first day at kinder, or first day of school.  Emotionally charged times, not just for us when we were kids but for our parents too, and now for many of us, as parents ourselves. It is a time of change in which children, families and the schools adjust to new roles, identities, expectations, interactions and relationships.

Each time a decision is made, there are questions that you need to ask.

What do I need to achieve from this decision?

This is the most important trigger for making a decision. The outcome of the decision should always be front and centre.  If you don’t know what you are aiming for how will you know when you hit it?

What is the specific goal that I need to reach?

Personal goals may differ from the necessary outcome to a decision. How will you balance your own needs against the outcomes? Your own goals may need to be secondary or they may be the required outcome. Either way, acknowledging them is a crucial first step.

What is a positive school culture?

A positive school culture is an environment in which everyone at the school, all students, teachers and staff, feel respected and supported. A school where everyone feels safe expressing their ideas and opinions, where there is a strong sense of community, and where diversity is celebrated.