A new school year presents a fresh start! The following hacks are designed to ensure leaders hit the ground running and build the foundations of a great year!

Be Available During Peak Hour – the hour before school starts in the morning can feel like peak hour but is precious. Be available to your staff. If they are looking for you and you aren’t there or are locked away in a meeting, it’s a blockage for them.

No meetings in the mornings – morning meetings steal the best time of the day for getting things done.

Schedule 3 times per day to check your IN Box and take action – checking your IN box multiple times each day and only having time to scan the Subject Line only adds to your stress. Schedule your three 15 minute blocks each day.

Visit every class at least twice in the first week – use the first visit to welcome them back and share how excited you are for the year ahead and the second as an informal visitor. Continue to visit at least once a week as an informal visitor for the first five weeks. Keep track of the classrooms you have visited. Often we fall into a trap of only going to classrooms close to our office or where we are made to feel welcome.

Find five things to praise or compliment every day – spread positivity. Be a positive and upbeat role model. It is vital to remember that attitudes are contagious (especially the leader’s). Ensure your attitude is worth catching.

Spend 15 minutes in the staffroom and 15 minutes in the playground each day – use the time to connect and check-in with staff.

Be at the school gate for 15 minutes at the end of the day – being at the gate at the end of the day maximises your visibility and also makes you available for ‘quick questions’. BONUS points for giving students a high 5 on the way out.