Harnessing the Power of Feedback

We all know that feedback is a powerful tool for growth. Our schools are experts in giving feedback to students to ensure that they learn and reach their full potential. Educators will tell you, there would be no learning without feedback. 

Similarly, schools, and in fact all organizations, improve when they learn how to engage their community to solicit valuable feedback. Just like our students, our organizations thrive when we can receive feedback and use it as a powerful tool to drive organizational growth. This is part of being a learning organization, a term coined by Peter Senge in his 1990 book, The Fifth Discipline.

We have seen excellent examples of harnessing feedback and creating positive change in the first few weeks of the new academic year. Our parents gave us feedback that they would like to be able to communicate effectively with each other. This led to the creation of our new Parent Directory. Our Grade 6 students have thought deeply about the environment and have some initiatives that they are hoping to introduce to the school. Today, our professional development day focused on giving opportunities for teachers and staff members to provide input on the things they care deeply about.

Thank you for all the feedback we have received. There is a phenomenal community surrounding our school and I feel so grateful that people are so invested in SJK that they are willing to offer their thoughts and suggestions. That’s how we will continue to make this amazing school even better for our students and their families.

As I begin my first Thanksgiving as Head of SJK, I feel happy to have joined such an outstanding school. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to such an exceptional start to the school year, especially our talented and dedicated faculty and staff.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!