Relief teachers often inherit messy handwritten notes, unclear expectations, and disorganised classroom. The result: students spend the day doing busy-work, behaviour suffers, no meaningful learning happens.
You can't control every relief day, but you can set the relief teacher (and your students) up for success with detailed, clear plans.
Class Information: Student names, seating chart, behaviour supports, and special needs (allergies, medical conditions, students who need supervision).
Schedule and Routines: When does lunch happen? How long are periods? What's your arrival routine? Your dismissal routine?
Behaviour Expectations and Consequences: "When students are off-task, first redirect verbally. If it continues, move the student. Contact me for serious incidents."
Classroom Management: How do you get attention? (A chime? "Hands up?") Where's the pencil sharpener? Where are tissues? Where's the first aid kit?
Don't leave vague notes like "Do Maths worksheet." Instead:
Learning Objective: "Today students will review fractions by completing worksheet page 24."
Instructions: "Display the worksheet on the board. Read the first question aloud. Give students 20 minutes. Circulate to check understanding."
Extensions: "If students finish early, they choose a problem-solving challenge from the folder on the desk."
The relief teacher knows exactly what to do and how long it should take.
Sometimes relief lessons need to bridge learning or give time for independent work. Choose activities that don't need extensive setup:
Avoid brand-new, complex content. Relief days aren't ideal for introducing new concepts.
If you're unexpectedly absent, leave a detailed folder with:
A Week of Lessons: Enough material for 5 days if you're suddenly gone for a week. Include: reading assignments, worksheet links, problem sets, video suggestions with viewing guides.
Grading Guide: "Check maths worksheet: answers attached. Reading task: look for evidence of thinking in margins."
Contact Info: How can the relief teacher reach you if there's a major incident? Include your mobile if you're comfortable.
Relief teaching is hard. You're a stranger managing someone else's classroom with their routines and expectations.
A grateful note — "Thank you for stepping in. I appreciate you." — matters. If students behave well, acknowledge that. If there were issues, address them with students, not blame directed at the relief teacher (unless there's genuine misstep).
