HED4812
Assignment 3 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 20 November 2025
1. THE SCHOOL AS A SYSTEM/ORGANIZATION
1. Introduction
Schools are not just buildings where learners attend classes. They are living systems made
up of people who work together in different ways. In South Africa, where many communities
face poverty, inequality and lack of resources, schools often reflect the problems of the wider
society. This makes the work of school leaders more complex. Understanding the school as
a system helps leaders to make better choices, support everyone involved, and create
environments where both teaching and learning can succeed.
2. Reflection
When I think about the school as a system, I picture it like a garden. Each part of the garden
depends on the others to grow well. If one section is neglected, it affects the whole space. In
the same way, schools are made up of different people and roles, teachers, learners,
parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community. These parts must work together.
If the teachers are motivated but learners come to school hungry or parents are not
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
1. THE SCHOOL AS A SYSTEM/ORGANIZATION
1. Introduction
Schools are not just buildings where learners attend classes. They are living systems
made up of people who work together in different ways. In South Africa, where many
communities face poverty, inequality and lack of resources, schools often reflect the
problems of the wider society. This makes the work of school leaders more complex.
Understanding the school as a system helps leaders to make better choices, support
everyone involved, and create environments where both teaching and learning can
succeed.
2. Reflection
When I think about the school as a system, I picture it like a garden. Each part of the
garden depends on the others to grow well. If one section is neglected, it affects the
whole space. In the same way, schools are made up of different people and roles,
teachers, learners, parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community.
These parts must work together. If the teachers are motivated but learners come to
school hungry or parents are not involved, then the learning process suffers.
In my own experience working with schools in Limpopo, I have seen how important
these connections are. In one township school, the principal worked closely with
parents through regular meetings and home visits. This helped learners improve
attendance and behaviour. When parents felt respected and included, they were
more supportive at home, which made the teachers’ jobs easier too. The school
became more effective because everyone was playing their part.
But in another school I visited, there was a clear breakdown. The teachers were
frustrated because they were overworked and received little support from the school
management. Parents rarely came to meetings, and learners often skipped classes.
In this case, the system was broken in several places. It showed me that each part of
the school system depends on the others to function well.
Managing a school as an organisation comes with many challenges. One major
problem is communication. Sometimes information does not flow properly between
Assignment 3 2025
2 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 20 November 2025
1. THE SCHOOL AS A SYSTEM/ORGANIZATION
1. Introduction
Schools are not just buildings where learners attend classes. They are living systems made
up of people who work together in different ways. In South Africa, where many communities
face poverty, inequality and lack of resources, schools often reflect the problems of the wider
society. This makes the work of school leaders more complex. Understanding the school as
a system helps leaders to make better choices, support everyone involved, and create
environments where both teaching and learning can succeed.
2. Reflection
When I think about the school as a system, I picture it like a garden. Each part of the garden
depends on the others to grow well. If one section is neglected, it affects the whole space. In
the same way, schools are made up of different people and roles, teachers, learners,
parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community. These parts must work together.
If the teachers are motivated but learners come to school hungry or parents are not
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
1. THE SCHOOL AS A SYSTEM/ORGANIZATION
1. Introduction
Schools are not just buildings where learners attend classes. They are living systems
made up of people who work together in different ways. In South Africa, where many
communities face poverty, inequality and lack of resources, schools often reflect the
problems of the wider society. This makes the work of school leaders more complex.
Understanding the school as a system helps leaders to make better choices, support
everyone involved, and create environments where both teaching and learning can
succeed.
2. Reflection
When I think about the school as a system, I picture it like a garden. Each part of the
garden depends on the others to grow well. If one section is neglected, it affects the
whole space. In the same way, schools are made up of different people and roles,
teachers, learners, parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community.
These parts must work together. If the teachers are motivated but learners come to
school hungry or parents are not involved, then the learning process suffers.
In my own experience working with schools in Limpopo, I have seen how important
these connections are. In one township school, the principal worked closely with
parents through regular meetings and home visits. This helped learners improve
attendance and behaviour. When parents felt respected and included, they were
more supportive at home, which made the teachers’ jobs easier too. The school
became more effective because everyone was playing their part.
But in another school I visited, there was a clear breakdown. The teachers were
frustrated because they were overworked and received little support from the school
management. Parents rarely came to meetings, and learners often skipped classes.
In this case, the system was broken in several places. It showed me that each part of
the school system depends on the others to function well.
Managing a school as an organisation comes with many challenges. One major
problem is communication. Sometimes information does not flow properly between
