FROM THE HEAD OF SENIOR SCHOOL
Teamwork
Teams and teamwork are a big part of our lives . We are all aware of the multitude of quotes and sayings that exist about teams ( there ’ s no ‘ I ’ in in team , TEAM – together everyone achieves more ) and schools are not immune to these .
If you were to ask a student or staff member how many teams they are in the list would be long and varied . This edition of Forward will highlight a significant number of Guildford Grammar School teams that have achieved some amazing feats .
In recent weeks I have seen our sporting teams compete , our Junior House Debating teams , Titrations teams and drama groups all in action , as well as a multitude of mini-teams working together in a variety of classroom settings as they learn side by side . In addition to this there are many large-scale student and community based events that we host as a school , which require different teams of staff working together .
In 2016 Haas and Mortenson published The Secrets of Great Teamwork in the Harvard Business Review . In compiling this article they studied teams in a variety of settings over a 15 year period and conducted over 300 interviews and 4200 surveys . The results of this study found that team success was not determined by personalities or the attitudes of team members , but that the right ‘ enabling conditions ’ had to exist , these are : a compelling direction ; a strong structure ; a supportive context and a shared mindset .
In the case of our school , our purpose “ inspiring students to achieve personal excellence and to be outstanding citizens who work to create a just , loving and peaceful society ”, provides us with our direction and a clear goal that challenges us to work toward something better . Regardless of which teams we are involved with , this statement of purpose provides an excellent check-in as to the team ’ s objectives .
Our students are fortunate to be surrounded by specialist teachers and coaches who provide them with knowledge , skills and feedback , but who also challenge them to be critical about their performance to highlight ideas for improvement . Our students feel supported to make any improvements they need to through our pastoral care systems and social and emotional wellbeing framework .
For students , teams provide a rich dynamic in which they can learn about their own skills and talents , how these complement or challenge others , and how they can role model these skills and approaches with others . Team or group work in a classroom provides students with the fundamental skills needed to work co-operatively as a collective unit towards a common goal . This type of teamwork introduces a variety of skills that will be valuable for students then they are in the workforce , such as communication , compromise and collective effort . In any type of group work , students must agree about who will handle various components of a project and work in tandem using each other ’ s strengths to accomplish the assigned tasks . This teaches them about time management , resource allocation and communication .
There are numerous physiological , evolutionary , practical and emotional reasons why teams work and are regarded as a successful vehicle for achieving goals . Given the prevalence of teams in our schools it is no wonder that ‘ Teamwork ’ is one of our school values and an area in which we are always striving to improve .
Mr Brad Evans Head of Senior School
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