East-Central Africa Division Principal’s Handbook

12East-CentralAfricaDivision3. Evaluation of teaching and learning programs including the assessment of studentoutcomes.C. Learning Outcomes. The principal is accountable for:1. Teachers identifying the individual learning needs of students and assisting each studentto maximise his or her learning outcomes2. Evaluating student learning outcomes consistent with a documented school assessmentpolicy3. Reporting student achievement to parents, students, teachers and the schoolcommunityD. Student Welfare. The principal is accountable for:1. A comprehensive student welfare and discipline policy which is regularly reviewed and isfair.2. Policies, programs and practices which are regularly reviewed and which promote theprotection, safety, self-esteem and welfare of students3. Providing staff training that will promote the consistent implementation of studentwelfare.4. Discipline procedures - in particular child protectionE. Staff Welfare, Development and Management. The principal is accountable for:1. Promoting a collegial and co-operative culture to support team effectiveness2. Effective communication and decision-making processes within the school3. Informing staff of their responsibilities4. Clarifying the duties of school staff and ensuring staff comply5. Facilitating the professional growth of staff through curriculum development andevaluation, planning, classroom management and teaching skills6. Assisting staff who experience difficulties in the performance of their duties7. The maintenance by all staff of documentation required in the completion of their duties8. Supervising and evaluating the implementation of teaching and learning programs andassociated teaching strategies9. Inducting staff in the requirements of policies and mandatory training procedures.F. Physical and Financial Resource Management. The principal is accountable for:1. An annual budget and regular school financial statement2. Plans to maximise the operation of the school within available physical and financialresources3. Appropriate application of existing resources to identified areas of need including schoolbuildings and grounds.4. Financial management practices which meet East - Central Africa Division requirements5. Identifying occupational health and safety issues6. Maintaining appropriate records in accordance with Audit requirements.G. School and Community Partnerships. The principal is accountable for:1. Maintaining open communication throughout the school community and with othergovernment Agencies2. Acknowledging the views and expectations of, and working with parents for thepersonal, social and educational welfare of their children133. Supporting the operation of school-based parent organisations, which may involvecommunity members4. Forming effective partnerships with the school community, business and industry whereappropriate.5. Promoting Seventh-day Adventist education and training.(See Appendix 2 - Job Description: Principal)3. ORGANISATION AND TIME MANAGEMENTResearch has shown that people who are not organised, who behave in a frenzied mannerto accomplish too many tasks are less effective, less creative and ultimately less healthy –physically, mentally and spiritually! Time management is valuable for everyone: it can help youget more done in the same or even less time, it can help you be more effective, it can certainlyreduce stress you may be experiencing.A. Controlling Your Time1. Establish responsibilities, priorities and objectives – this is your choice.2. Eliminate unnecessary and inappropriate activities3. Delegate as much as possible Choose your delegates carefully Outline the task(s) clearly and make sure the delegate understands Establish ‘checkpoints’. These will support the delegates and reassure your fears Praise for tasks completed4. Plan and schedule your days and weeks Remember TNT – Today, not Tomorrow1.2.3.4.5. The Three Golden Rules of Daily PlanningMake a list of things to do todayNumber the five most importantWork on these five first.Now select the next 5.Work on these and repeat steps 3 & 4In addition, MASTER LISTS are very helpful. These are continuous lists of ideas,tasks, phone calls, building plans, wish-lists, agenda items for meetings. Put them inyour diary either as notes or stick in a page or put them in the back of your diary.5. Be conscious of time – don’t waste it! Have a writing pad beside your bed, if you wake up with an idea (or a worry) jot itdown. This really helps reduce stress, you can go back to sleep more easily. Always have a scribble pad with you, especially if you travel (or a voice activated taperecorder) Make sure you have something useful to read when you know you may have to wait(doctor’s or family member’s appointments)

14East-CentralAfricaDivisionB. A Time Management Tool – Your Diary1. What should be in your diary? Daily, weekly, monthly appointments Room for comments for planning & recording Reminder of telephone calls/record significant conversations Reminders Meeting notes Goals Ideas Happenings2. Choose your diary carefully. Some effective managers prefer: A planner format A diary that lies flat A diary with a time management section Range of features A day to a page3. Make your diary work for you: Before the beginning of the year enter all important dates (meetings, school holidays,public holidays, conferences, dates of personal significance such as birthdays) Avoid scheduling too tightly. As your diary starts to fill, schedule time for yourself or you willend up with wall to wall appointments and no time to catch up with your work or breathe! Everyday check the next days/weeks appointments so you are prepared Ensure you carry your diary with you at all times.C. Managing Paper Work1. Enlist a mail sorter if you can. Someone who will sort out all the mail addressed to others,first.2. Learn to DRAFT your mail. (sort into these categories)DELEGATE - Material that would be more helpful for someone else, or to someonewith a delegated job. Put their name on it and put it in the OUT tray.READ - Have a file for later reading – journals, advertising etcACT - When you’ve sorted the mail return to this pile and attend to items that needimmediate attention. Check each piece of mail for deadline dates, ‘return’ forms andrequired signatures.FILE - A recent survey showed that 75% of what we file, we don’t read. However youmust keep policy documents, legislation, official documents and correspondenceTOSS - Junk mail, some advertising – don’t hoard!153.Never handle a piece of paper more than twice. Once when sorting and once whenresolving.4.Screen unnecessary paper – cancel subscriptions to newsletters you never read. Cutdown on photocopier use.5.EMAILS – Adopt much the same approach as for paper, and don’t fall into the trap ofwasting time reading or sending stories/pictures/poems etc6.Allocate time for paper work each day. Discipline the habit of processing paperwork oremails. Usually the beginning or the end of the day is easiest.7. Focus on your action pile.a. Prioritise your listb. Use time-savers- form letters, compliment slipsc. Use the phone when you can – quicker and easierd. Use email if you can, its more convenient for many businesses4BASIC SCHOOL REQUIREMENTSSDA schools need to have certain procedures, policies and curriculum matters in place to ensurethat students learn well. Here is a basic checklist of indicators of a school’s viability and ability tooffer a reasonable level of education.

16DIMENSION OF THE SCHOOLA. Learning ProgramSUGGESTIONS Teacher programs for every subject and foreach year, including syllabus documentsand state requirements, are in a centralplace, in a format agreed on by the wholeschool Checked by principal at the start of theyear and each term. Review them in termsof the mission and objectives of the school.At least have scope and sequence chartsfor all programs. Decide early what istaught and by whom. Teachers’ daily workbooks are checkedeach week by deputy or principal Check that these are uniform in format,reflect the programs, and include learningcontent, outcomes and activities. Timetables are complete before schoolstarts An overview of the curriculum is in theprincipal’s office. Usually done by teachers in primary ordeputy for secondary. Watch the spreadand number of periods particularly insecondary.Clear statement of school philosophy andgoals adapted to the needs of the school,subjects offered, and the approach tolearning, are all needed. Plan to visit all teachers regularly in class.Even popping in and out for a minute ortwo helps.Decide on and write a procedure formarking work in all classes and subjects.Agree on how much homework is to beset. The principal or deputy supervises teaching A school-wide procedure for assessingstudent work is in place The principal or deputy coordinates theschool curriculum Be familiar with state requirements andgood teaching practice. Involve teachers inplanning. Lead by example. Meet regularly with teachers or Heads ofDepartments (HOD’s), and review examresults with the education director eachyear. There is an annual review of the school’sacademic performanceB. School Organisation1. 17East-CentralAfricaDivisionRegular meetings are heldStaff meetingsSchool administration teamAcademic committee (large school)Departmental meetings (large school)Officers meetings Make all meetings short and to the point.Appoint a chair. Focus agendas onrecommendations. Keep minutes. Makesure there is genuine discussion and notdictatorship. Hold staff meetings at least once afortnight.DIMENSION OF THE SCHOOL2. 3. Rosters are in placeUniform checkRoll marking and checkStudent work supervisionWeekend dutiesDining hall supervisionStudy period supervisionWorship services rosterPolicies are in placeDisciplinePlayground supervision in day schoolsFee collection, uniform and textbooksSchool finance and managementEmergency proceduresPastoral care – counselling, helpingSchool Board operation4. Administrative responsibilities are clearlyspelt out. For example: Principal may deal with staffing, marketing,Public Relations (PR), staff issues,government liaison, parents, difficult studentdiscipline Deputy may deal with timetable, rosters,discipline, cover for staff absences, schoolcurriculum Registrar or other title may deal with studentleave, work lines, records and grades5. Special days are planned beforehand Registration day Parent interview day Closing day or night Development days Etc6. The principal is visible in the school Daily check of school and dormitoryappearance Daily check of teacher duties in progress The principal is on the school grounds andwalks around a good deal.SUGGESTIONS Make sure teac

Principal’s Handbook For Seventh-day Adventist Church Schools Prepared by ECD Education Department 2010 East-Central Africa Division Principal’s Handbook Compiled, edited, designed and printed for the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, East-Central Africa Division (ECD) By Jorm Technologies In association with Marble Hues