There's something truly wonderful about the start of a new school year. But while the new year is a time of excitement and promise, it can also be a time when teachers feel anxious and a little overwhelmed about the year ahead.
As the summer holidays wind to a close and with the start of term 1 right around the corner, we asked teachers from across Queensland to share their top ‘back to school’ tips to help you kick start your best teaching year yet.
'You don’t need to have a picture-perfect classroom at the beginning of the year. The best classrooms are those that grow with the students inside! Remember that school isn’t about have the best Insta-classroom... it’s about the “ah-ha” moments for the kids.'
– Katie
'You need to grab your audience right from the beginning. Outside the classroom is your learning preparation. You meet, set the tone, find out how they are going then start to tune them into the learning they will do. Grab their interest and you start in the right place.'
– John
'At the beginning of the year, spend time building a class community that ensures each child feels a sense of belonging and security. Place children’s names on lockers, put up photos of the children on their first day with their families, play games that support learning each other’s names and take time to learn and practice basic skills like sitting on the mat, lining up, asking for help. Practice breathing techniques that support calmness and self-regulation after breaks. Be kind and supportive it will pay off!'
– Annette
'My number 1 teacher tip is quite simple, relationships, relationships, and... relationships! My top priority during the school year is connecting with, and getting to know, my students. I endeavour to find out their interests and use this to my advantage in the classroom. At times, it can be hard, but you just have to dig deep for that one interest they have to ignite the spark. Building these relationships and showing the students that you care about what they're interested in will, in my experience, increase engagement and allow your students to build trust in you. Even if it's just asking them who won that soccer game on the weekend, discussing your favourite Disney movie with them, it all shows the students that you really care and starts to build that connection!'
– Hannah
'Invest in planning time at the very start of term and get organised for the semester ahead. Backwards plan from the assessment items creating a series of lessons that build on the skills and knowledge you want your students to develop. Lessons can be fine tune on a weekly basis. If you don't get on top of it at the start of a term you will be fighting from the corner the whole semester.'
– Barbra
'At the start of the year, make a plan for all the special occasions. Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day, Easter, etc. plan out what craft or themed fun you are going to do and prepare the resources as much as you can in advance because these days always creep up on you!' – Kylah
'I sometimes misplace permission notes or absentee notes on our busy mornings. Now, I have my letterbox which the students can put all notes in and I can collate them at the end of the day!'
– Shandell
'Stay organised from the very beginning. Keep your files on lessons and units in order. Then, you can build upon these lessons the next few years. Write notes to yourself about the lessons so you remember the next year what went well and what needed to be changed.'
– Jessica
'Keep a list of your ‘to-do’s’ all in one spot and write down
everything you need to do as soon as you know about it. Prioritise from most important to least important and cross each job off as you complete them. This has saved me from forgetting all those little nagging to-dos’ like RSVP’ing to the Christmas party or taking a hat back to its owner’s classroom!'
– Emily
Have you got a great teaching tip to share with our Teach Queensland community? Send us an email at
TeachQLD@qed.qld.gov.au with your teaching tip and it may appear in a future article.