With this school term almost all wrapped up, it’s crucial to take a moment to ensure you’re organised and prepared for a smooth and stress-free shutdown
As the festive season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations and lose track of what needs to be done before you head out for a well-deserved break. Fear not, because with a little planning, you can wrap things up smoothly—no panicking allowed! Here’s how to set yourself up for a stress-free shutdown.
Clean and Tidy
We all know the temptation to put off cleaning until the last minute but trust us, nothing feels worse than returning to a cluttered workspace on the first day of term. Imagine opening that drawer only to be greeted by empty boxes, old envelopes, and—surprise! —a half-eaten KitKat that’s been hiding out since Halloween.
Set aside a bit of time to declutter and clear out the things you no longer need. Not only will it make your workspace feel fresh and welcoming, but it’ll also give you plenty of room for all those exciting new supplies you’ll be bringing in for the new year.
Synch Your Schedules
As you prepare to wind down, make sure your schedule is synced with everyone else’s. It’s important to have all your critical deadlines, meetings, and important dates marked in your diary, but don’t forget about the schedules of others who might impact your school’s operations. When are your IT team and suppliers back from their festive break?
If you anticipate needing assistance from anyone who might be unavailable, it’s wise to have an alternative contact on hand. Additionally, if you need to book meetings for the new year, it’s best to do it now! After Christmas, everyone tends to dive straight into a whirlwind of tasks, projects, and post-holiday catch-up. By securing those appointments ahead of time, you ensure you get the attention and support you need without having to compete for everyone’s limited availability in January.
Take a Walk Around
Once everything has been organised, shut down, tidied up and put away or thrown out, take this opportunity to walk around your school and take note of things while it’s this quiet and organised, because as we all know, those corridors will be chaotic again soon enough!
This is a prime opportunity to see things you wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to notice during the busy school term. As you stroll through the halls, keep an eye out for areas that may need a little TLC. Documenting these observations now will help you prioritise tasks for January, particularly those related to maintenance. By identifying these issues before students return, you can create a checklist of repairs or improvements that need to be addressed.
Prepare Your Team
If you’re planning to be out of the office over the holidays, it’s essential to keep your team informed about how things will operate during the festive season. Who will be on hand to open the school if needed? What systems will still be running?
Before you hit that “out of office” button, ensure your colleagues feel confident and well-prepared. This way, you’ll avoid those pesky phone calls asking for guidance on what to do. The last thing you want during your break is to be fielding questions about where the holiday decorations are stored!
Finally, take a deep breath—you’ve really smashed it this year! With all your hard work and dedication, you’ve set the stage for a successful new term. Now it’s time to kick back and relish the festive season to the fullest. So, as you close your office door for the last time this term, remember to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished over the past year. Happy holidays!
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