No more Trust-Falls

Trust is widely recognised as the glue holding successful organisations together.

Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships. It forms the foundation upon which relationships, collaboration, and innovation flourish.

                                                                        Stephen M.R. Covey

With trust, students feel more included, develop a sense of belonging, and feel valued.  Consequently, they become more confident in themselves and within the school environment. In other words, students learn best when they are happy, feel supported, and are challenged in equal measure.

Trust has become a central principle for organisations, societies, and schools. This isn’t too surprising, given the significant impact that trust—or mistrust— can have on an organisation. But when did everyone become so mistrustful?

Remember when you were a kid and played the ‘trust-fall’ game with your friends? Nobody trusts trust-falls anymore.

So how do we build and gain trust in schools?

1. A strong, shared purpose.
2. Make connections, and create and maintain relationships.
3. Context is important – know your audience and meet them where they are at.
4. Culture does not stand still, it is shaped. We are all stewards of culture.

Policies alone do not keep children safe, culture does.

Scott Mayall, Grammar Acting Head of Secondary

In addition to the measurable benefits for student outcomes, success, and the wellbeing of both staff and students, trust as a foundational value also keeps us all safe. Evidence of a strong organisational culture is often found in workplaces where trust is palpable –“it’s the way the place makes me feel.”

In schools where trust is present, students feel comfortable making mistakes, voicing concerns, and offering feedback without fear of reprisal. This openness leads to better decision-making and the ability to adapt quickly to challenges, further demonstrating the strength of the organisational culture. Trust also enables effective communication, which is a clear marker of a robust culture. More trusted communication builds more trust – it’s a positive feedback loop.

Without trust, we don't truly collaborate; we merely coordinate or, at best, cooperate. It is trust that transforms a group of people into a team.

Stephen M.R. Covey

In conclusion, trust and school culture are inextricably linked. Trust serves both as an indicator and a driver of a strong culture, shaping the way people interact, collaborate, and innovate. Organisations such as Sunshine Coast Grammar that prioritise trust are rewarded with higher engagement, loyalty, and performance, all of which are unmistakable signs of a healthy and resilient culture.

Excerpt from a prospective family’s quote following our recent Open Day:

When we visited the campus for a tour, we immediately felt a sense of warmth and community. The staff we met were welcoming, genuine and clearly passionate about their students. We noticed how friendly and confident the students were, which spoke volumes about the culture of the school. The natural environment, calm atmosphere and respectful tone throughout the campus really resonated with us, and we left feeling certain that this was the right fit for our family. We value SCGS for its strong sense of community, its focus on character and wellbeing, and its dedication to helping each child reach their full potential. We are confident that Sunshine Coast Grammar School is the ideal environment for both of our children to grow academically, socially and personally.

World Teacher's Day

Next Friday, 31 October, we are celebrating World Teachers’ Day.

This is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and commitment of our wonderful teachers. To express our gratitude, we want to hear from our Grammar community. Please take the time to write a short message telling us why our teachers mean so much to you and your child/ren.

Write your message here.

Anna Owen
Principal