As the year winds down, the classroom hustle doesn’t stop – it just shifts gears! The end of the school year is a whirlwind of cleaning, organising, and prepping for the next chapter…
But don’t worry, we are here to help you stay on top of it all with a handy teacher checklist that ensures nothing slips through the cracks.
This guide is perfect for busy primary school teachers who want to close out the year feeling confident, calm, and ready for a well-deserved break. Let’s make that to-do list less daunting and a little more doable one task at a time with this end of year teacher checklist!
Your Ultimate Teacher Checklist for the End of the Year
1. Administrative Tasks
Check Leadership Requests
Check emails and make note of any specific end-of-year requirements from your leadership team. Add them to your teacher checklist in a special colour to remind yourself that these tasks came from the leadership team.
Student Data & Notes
Enter any final student absences, record last-minute data, and prepare any necessary handover notes for the next teacher.
2. Declutter & Clean
Student Desks & Spaces
Thoroughly clean desks, chairs, tubs, and cubbies (pigeonholes). Plan a day for students to help you clean and to take home all their books and work – recycled bags are perfect for this!
Classroom Furniture
Move furniture if needed for holiday carpet cleaning, and wipe down all surfaces and dusty areas (another job you can get older students to help with if you are allowed).
Supplies & Stationery
Sort through markers, pens, and craft supplies. Toss what’s unusable, and neatly store items that can be reused next year. Teacher tip: This is a great fast finisher task during the final weeks of school.
Bins & Miscellaneous
Clean out all bins and storage containers, including water bottle or lunch storage areas. Throw away any items without lids or that have been left without an owner.
3. Displays & Resources
Classroom Displays
Organise and store what you’ll reuse for next year, and take down anything outdated or unnecessary. We like to do a class raffle for any displays that will end up in the bin (kids absolutely love it).
Library & Shared Resources
Return borrowed books to the library and follow up on overdue returns from students. Don’t forget to return any borrowed items from common areas.
Classroom Library
Repair damaged books if possible, and recycle those that are beyond saving.This is a great job for any parent helps that might be willing to donate some time to helping you.
4. Technology
Tech Protection
Cover classroom technology, ensure devices are fully charged, and switch them off at the power points before you leave for summer break.
Whiteboards & SmartBoards
Give all boards, including student whiteboards, a thorough clean.
5. Gratitude & Farewells
Student & Staff Gifts
Organise small gifts or cards for students and staff who’ve supported you this year (optional but always appreciated!).
Need some quick and inexpensive ideas? Find student gift ideas here and teacher gift ideas here.
Parent Thank Yous
Collaborate with your class to create thank-you cards or letters for any parents who’ve helped out during the year.
6. Fresh Start Prep
Desk & Cupboards
Clear out your own desk and cupboards to start fresh next year. Purge anything that is broken or you haven’t used throughout the year.
Handover Meeting
Arrange a time to meet with the teacher taking over your class next year for a smooth student handover. Be sure to share any information or resources that might be helpful.
7. Enjoy some time with your class
The end of the year may be busy, but it is nice to slow down and enjoy some time with the students you have taught and cared for all year. It might be reading together, playing some class favourite games or doing some fun lessons to end the year as a class community.
Our favourite lessons include:
By following this teacher checklist, you’ll glide into the holidays knowing everything is sorted. It’s all about working smarter, not harder! Let’s end the year strong, celebrate our wins, and make room for the exciting new adventures ahead!
What to read next:
The BEST Christmas writing activity
Festive Math lessons your students will love
Podcast episode: How to survive the end of the school year
