The Idea of renewal or starting afresh is very appealing. It often underpins the chance to become optimistic and to see things more clearly. The weight of being on a slope of negativity, caused by a bag of problems, can be really discouraging. I found this to be the case with many students, staff and indeed myself.

As I travelled on through my time as principal the vision of the rising sun landed in my lap and became really important to me, and was excellent in inspiring me to adopt a positive focus on a daily basis. It became my mantra to say to staff and students to look towards the rising sun each day, indeed one of God’s great gifts to the world. In fact I placed a large sign on the side of the hall to this end. One of the wonderful features of the Territory is indeed the predictability of the sun rising. I’m writing this in Victoria at the moment and I haven’t seen the sun rise for a few days.

In Alice I loved throwing my two Kelpies in the Nissan and heading out into the magical bush around Alice before sunrise and before school , winding my way up to a favorite elevated spot and then watching the colours change by the second , the overture as the sun then crept in an ever increasing blaze of glory above the horizon. Furthermore, my Kelpies had their necessary run while I drove. Maybe if I was younger I would have run- maybe-they were pretty fast. This vigil would also help inspire solutions to problems, encourage me to look at “the other side of the coin” and fill me with hope for the coming day.

The new term or half year can be seen in this way. It is a time when, if needed, a new direction can be set or new ideas generated to enhance the direction already set. It is a wonderful opportunity for students particularly those that have not done so well in the term before. In fact this notion of “newness” can spread throughout the school, be taken on by you and your leadship team and be fostered by comments, presentations to encourage students and indeed staff. One of the simplest ways of doing this is to show a book with a chaotic page, then turn the page to reveal the purity of the new clean page.

The concept of “Look Towards the Rising Sun” is also vivid and can be visualised by everyone - its colour, its warmth, its life giving rays and its permanence, for it will rise again tomorrow providing another dose of hope, optimism and creativity. But as Principal it is so important to say it, describe it and explain it regularly. Explicit teaching has so much to recommend it - some will lock onto an idea quickly, others need it explained more fully or perhaps even pointed out to them. Either way, don’t let the idea drift away in the smoke of only a passing comment. The vital thing is to give the idea every chance to be received thoroughly. If you say it enough times students and staff will accept that you really believe it and it is “super” important to you.

So with the new semester, let the sun rise and allow it to spread its new hope and the prospect and excitement of opportunity.

Chris Tudor

AISNT Historian & Principal Liaison