Creating and Leading a Culture of Care-2-day Workshop (Next session 20 August)

Never before has it been so important to have caring cultures within our school communities. 

The Covid19 lockdown has been both a gift and a challenge for many.

The speed of the shutdown, pulling together online or home learning resources, saying quick goodbyes to students not knowing if they are going to be ok, wondering what’s ahead, planning for an uncertain future, working from home, possibly grappling with financial pressure, all while trying to replenish your own energy and wairua.

It is natural to feel emotional, overwhelmed, exhausted, fragile, angry and lost during these times. The 2016 NZEI wellbeing survey stated that one thing teachers do when under pressure is “keep going regardless”. It also states one thing they don’t do well is “seek help”. Further NZEI statistics on Principal/Leader wellbeing show they have 1.7x higher burnout rate than leaders in business and 1.8x higher reported stress. Add the current climate, and a “carry-on regardless” way of operating, returning to school under hugely different conditions, and these statistics will only heighten if not addressed.

Whānau have had to cope with overwhelming pressures. Loss of jobs and income. Juggling parenting, home-learning and their own mahi. 

Students have missed their friends, some have struggled with the lack of teacher contact. Others have had to navigate the fall-out from their parent's emotional state.

The ripples will last for years to come. 

Hence, the time for a wellbeing review has never been better. It is time to review, reset and reimagine a new possibility for your school community moving forward.

It is time to listen deeply, to connect, to gain a full and deep picture of the current state of your school community, then work together to reimagine a new way of collective being that embraces your gold and elevates you to another level.