HED4812
Assignment 3 2025
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Unique number:
Due Date: 8 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,
Terms of use
parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community. These parts must work together.
By making use of this document you agree to:
If the teachers are motivated butUse this document
learners comeastoa school
guide forhungry
learning,or
comparison
parents and are reference purpose,
not involved,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
then the learning process suffers. By making use of this document you agree to:
Fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Use this document solely as a guide for learning, reference, and comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
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 the school
leadership and the rest of the staff. Another issue is the shortage of resources, like
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 3 2025
REFLECTIVE JOURNAL
Unique number:
Due Date: 8 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,
Terms of use
parents, principals, support staff, and the larger community. These parts must work together.
By making use of this document you agree to:
If the teachers are motivated butUse this document
learners comeastoa school
guide forhungry
learning,or
comparison
parents and are reference purpose,
not involved,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
then the learning process suffers. By making use of this document you agree to:
Fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Use this document solely as a guide for learning, reference, and comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
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 the school
leadership and the rest of the staff. Another issue is the shortage of resources, like
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
