Principal succession: The sosialisation of a primary school principal in South Africa,
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Authors
Steyn, G.M.
Issue Date
2013
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
socialisation of a new principal; South African primary school; Christian school culture; phases of socialisation: professional socialisation, organisational socialisation and occupational identity
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study focussed on the socialisation of a new principal in a South African primary school with a strong Christian culture. He was appointed when the predecessor retired after more than two decades. The conceptual framework focuses on the three phases of socialisation: professional socialisation, organisational socialisation and occupational identity, which are used to interpret the study. A qualitative study, which occurred during two phases, investigated the phenomenon, principal succession, in the particular school. The data collection methods included a number of interviews with the principal, a focus group interview with staff members who experienced the previous principal’s leadership practice, and individual interviews with staff members. The following categories emerged from the data analysis: Recalling the previous principal: ‘One sees Mr X [the predecessor] everywhere’; Entry and orientation: ‘I found it intimidating initially’; and Immersion and reshaping: ‘Reins that previously were a bit slack, he is now pulling tight’.
Description
Citation
GM Steyn. 2013. Principal succession: The sosialisation of a primary school principal in South Africa, Koers: Bulletin for Christian Scholarship. 78(1), Art. #426, 9 pages. http://dx.doi. org/10.4102/koers.v78i1.426