ISCHR welcomes everyone back to a new school year ... and what will this one have in store?

Depending where they are in the world, schools are starting this year yet again facing a range of challenges. Some schools in SE Asia are back to online learning, schools in the Far East are still struggling to get all their new staff in to country in the face of extremely tight border controls and schools everywhere are hoping for a smoother, easier year ahead.

So what should schools be doing at this time of year to set themselves up for the best possible year ahead? Schools will have recently welcomed their new staff, and moving abroad, which is stressful at the best of times, is even more so when compounded with all the complexities of Covid-19. Some staff moving abroad won’t know when they will see their families again, some are having to leave partners and children at home, some have faced arduous journeys to get to their destination country - there was a story of a teacher who had done quarantine in 3 separate countries before making it her new school!

So teachers are showing great resilience in the face of all these challenges. And when they arrive in their new country that warm welcome is more important than ever. An excellent, well thought out and supportive induction programme - that balances personal as well as work and school needs - is absolutely key. Often it’s the small, personal touches that teachers remember the most - flowers in their apartment to welcome them to their new home, toys for their children after a long journey, a colleague popping round to see them the day after they arrive. Making time for all those important ‘life’ things, not just a carousel of talks and training in school is essential. Some schools have been forced to, or have taken the decision to, move a lot of their induction online. But how do you replicate those all important personal touches?

And how many schools really ask their new staff for feedback - What could we have done better? What do you wish you had known? What were your first impressions of the school? What surprised you? And even if they ask, how many really pay attention and use the feedback for genuine action planning to continually improve support to new staff the following year.

As teachers potentially facing another challenging year, knowing they work for a school that through their induction has demonstrated real warmth, compassion, care and kindness will make all the difference.

If you need support with any aspect of staff induction including plans or effective feedback surveys, reach out to ISCHR on info@ischr.com