Keepers of the Culture

Culture is contagious, there's no doubt about it. It catches on, both positively and negatively, spreading like wildfire. We've all seen it. Elements that individuals let in or let go are epidemic, easily creeping in and fading away in the blink of an eye. This understanding is why we talk about being 'Keepers of the Culture' at Griffin. We know it’s all too easy for a culture to shift negatively or to lose valuable parts if there's slack on the upkeep.

In order to maintain and protect our culture, we frequently unpack what culture is and how it develops. Through our research, we know that culture is driven by beliefs and attitudes. Our social behaviours and the norms we collectively create demonstrate what we believe. Culture influences how we interact, the language we use, and how we think. We are aware that we send deliberate messages to each other and uphold our values when we are conscious of our social behaviour.

Culture isn't something that is fixed, forever unchanged. Like any living organism, it grows and changes, morphs and shifts through the learning and actions of those who practice it. A powerful culture might be one that is in a constant state of cultivation, adapting to those whom it serves and serving them responsively.

For us at Griffin, awareness of subtle shifts in culture is crucial to maintenance and new growth. Noticing and responding to slips and declines swiftly is fundamental – hard conversations are well worth the discomfort. Growth comes from inspiring positive change stemming from our why, our vision. It’s an art requiring consistency in effort, messages, and values.

There’s a lot to understand about the complexity of our culture at Griffin. Even as a foundation staff member, someone who has collaborated to consciously cultivate it, it's somewhat difficult to articulate every detail, the nuances. It’s akin to the culture within a family, some things are spelt out and others are just innately understood.

Consciously creating a powerful school culture is about creating an environment that is alive, an organism rather than an organisation. Many moving parts working in unison to keep it alive. It lives and breathes, it grows and changes, and it needs constant maintenance, like any living thing. Certain needs must be fulfilled for it to survive and then to thrive.

Being a 'Keeper of the Culture' is a commitment to our collective vision, our why. It's understanding that our culture is the beginning and ending of everything, our backbone that holds us together. The little things matter greatly – we protect our culture intentionally for we understand its power.

The fragility of culture is ever-present. It ebbs and flows, falters, and strengthens. We haven't got it all figured out but what has emerged are some things we know for sure. We've developed some understanding of growing and maintaining a powerful school culture over our six years. Like many things, noticing and naming these is a powerful practice.

We know it’s not just about the big things, it’s about the little details. It’s not just about the behaviours we expect, but how we notice and name them. It’s not just about building relationships, it’s about having hard conversations. It’s not just about enacting the culture but being accountable to it. It’s not just about what you do, it’s about constantly retelling the story of why you do it. It’s not just about the individuals, it’s about how they swim together. It’s not about us, it’s about the kids. Our powerful culture is for them. Our culture is shifting the story of school.

Next: Wonder and Wander