BUILDING SCHOOL CULTURE

7 July

Written By Kristine Niven I Executive Assistant

I was asked a question on the panel at The Gathering by an attendee for my advice on building school culture.

It’s a powerful question and one that goes to the heart of why we do what we do.

I initially answered a big part was in showing kindness and engaging in small interactions with others throughout the day. And sure that is true, but it is only a small part of culture building.

The building of school culture doesn’t begin in policies or programs. It begins in people. In shared purpose. In the way we turn up, speak up, and support one another. As Deal & Peterson remind us, heroes in school culture are those who model what is most valued. Many of them sit quietly at the heart of the school, managing complexity, navigating ambiguity, resolving conflict, and leading with grace behind the scenes. The EA, when empowered and trusted, becomes more than a support role - they are a cultural cultivator, a strategic influencer, and a trusted thought partner.

Culture is shaped by “how we do things around here.” And that includes how we communicate, how we connect, how we model the values we claim to hold dear. EAs in Education have a unique ability to embody these values in every interaction, with staff, students, parents, and leadership, and this everyday consistency creates trust and cohesion across the school. Of course, there are elephants in the room: the role can be misunderstood, siloed, or overlooked in broader professional learning contexts. But when we begin to see the EA more than “just” as support but as a leader in their own right, one with deep organisational insight and influence - the conversation shifts.

The partnership between a Senior Executive and an EA is not only operational, it is culture building. And when that partnership is strong, strategic and values-aligned, it can become transformational.

So, what’s my advice on building school culture?

Use kindness as our default.
Recognise the unseen leaders.
Invest in relationships built on trust and shared aspiration.
Ensure your 'dynamic duo' is more than functional - make it dynamic!
And never underestimate the quiet heroism it takes to cultivate culture daily.

Because when the EA and the Senior Executive truly “think together” - not just work together - culture isn’t just maintained. It’s elevated.