Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The first few days and weeks in the job are critical times for the new
principal. Everything a new principal says, or does, is watched closely
by teachers, staff, students, the community and the district office. It
is important that new principals take the time, and spend the energy,
in finding out as much as they can about the school, the staff, the
student body, and the community before they embark upon their new
role. Those principals who prepare themselves more thoroughly during
the entry phase, will be in a better position to handle the unexpected,
will honour the traditions of the school and in general, will have a
much more effective and successful transition into the role of the
principalship.
Entry: A things to think about, and to do list, before the first day of
school Educational Leadership
Administration
Student Services
Review test data for the school. How does the school fare? Are
there any trends?
Is there a student handbook? A code of conduct? A dress code?
How is discipline handled? What are the expectations of the
staff of the principal's role relating to discipline?
What student activities have become part of the culture of the
school?
How does the student government work? Who is involved? What
are the expectations of the student government of the
principal?
How are new students oriented to the school? Plan to meet with
student services personnel to review their roles, responsibilities
and relationships with outside agencies.
Staff
Communication