Guðbjörg Norðfjörð, the new head teacher of Hamranesskóli

Guðbjörg runs Hamranesskóli.

„I am really excited to work with the community to build this new school,“ says Guðbjörg Norðfjörð Elíasdóttir, who has been appointed headteacher of Hamranesskóli from 1 November. She is a qualified teacher and recently began a master's degree in leadership and management. She has worked in primary schools for over 20 years as a teacher, department head, deputy head teacher, and head teacher last winter at Hraunvallaskóli.

„I then realised how well the job suits me and have now decided what I'm going to be when I grow up,“ she says in a light-hearted tone.

School for one to sixteen-year-olds

In Hamranes, Hafnarfjörður, a comprehensive school for children aged 12 months to 16 years is currently being built. The school will be built according to an ambitious philosophy and offers exciting opportunities for innovation in school life. The school will include a club and youth centre, as well as a branch of the Hafnarfjörður Music School. There are also plans for the school to become a community hub and to house a local library.

„It's an exciting approach to work together as a community on shaping the school,“ says Gudbjörg, adding that it is important for children to take part in sports and/or leisure activities. She places great emphasis on this.

Builds team spirit from the ground up

Guðbjörg is tasked with creating a cohesive team and developing a positive school ethos that promotes well-being, collaboration, diversity and creativity, in line with the educational strategy of Hafnarfjörður. It is a great advantage that she is accustomed to a team-oriented mindset, as she is a former chairperson of the Icelandic Basketball Association.

„That experience serves me well. I'm a great team player and I've always made that my guiding principle. I learnt a lot from my basketball career about how to work together as a team, a squad, a group. I will make full use of that,“ she says.

„I have a dream that all students take part in some kind of sport or leisure activity. It's socially good for everyone; for students, parents and everyone who lives in the community. It's a huge opportunity to be able to do this from the very beginning.“

A school for 450 pupils

Guðbjörg will soon begin work at this school, which will accommodate around 450 pupils. Work now begins on the design and on recruiting other staff to work alongside her.

„We will start teaching Years 1-4 next autumn, and then expand the school gradually until it is fully operational.“

We welcome Guðbjörg back to continue her work!