There are few times as a Principal that you are not busy; busy with so many competing interests. An old very experienced Principal gave me a ‘lookout’ phrase which he found was important and helpful particularly in busy times - ‘All alright in the classroom all alright in the school.’ Obviously, the classroom is a name for whatever teaching space a teacher would use - traditional classroom, laboratory, oval, gym, hall, bush land, climbing wall, sports hall, canoe and lake, mountain, surf and beach, boat, bike and bike track, art studio, music room, dance studio, workshop, library - etc, etc.

Some politicians during COVID stated that children should get back into the classroom because that is where children learn best. The statements I heard, which irritated me, were convenient ones and not necessarily acknowledging how varied effective teaching spaces could be. On a beautiful day I enjoyed taking my year 9s outside, breaking them into groups and spacing them around the oval to solve a problem. We also built a huge table for our Conference Room and over twenty five students could be seated around it. Lessons that demanded discussion were much more effective in this configuration than when students were lined up in rows.

Nevertheless, teaching must be purposeful and meaningful to students. If classrooms are chaotic and aimless then this will reflect negatively on the morale of the school and therefore its culture. However, it is of great benefit if students can ultimately value and enjoy their schooling.

So even when you as a Principal are too busy and faced with so many demands I urge you to remember to check and be aware whether ‘all is alright in the classroom’, whatever configuration the classroom takes. My advice is to never defer entirely that interest to someone else.

This statement ‘all is alright’ I felt should be expanded to other areas without it absorbing all a Principal’s time, given that the Principal is likely to be time poor. ‘All alright in the playground’ is an important one as is ‘all alright in the staff room’. It is likely that the Principal may not have the time to address issues of ‘not alright’ but if possible can get a senior staff member to do so. Effective delegation is so important but don’t forget to follow up with the delegate. Of course one or two teacher schools are a very complicated challenge for a Principal with little or no possibility of delegating.

I like simple phrases like these that can readily sit in my mind and lie there as ongoing reminders for me. They help to organize thoughts and to plan the day. The big building project and the budget may be taking up heaps of time, but ‘all alright in-‘must not be forgotten.

As a Principal being purposeful and directional underpins the art of being effective. Sure, there is no one way of doing the job and what you choose must suit your character.

IDEAS FOR TALKS TO STUDENTS

Smiling.

You can make a difference to the peace of the world by simply smiling at someone. Your smile is indeed your greatest asset.

Half Full Glass.

It is better to see the glass as being half full rather than half empty. The world of the optimist is constructive. Look at people as half full glasses- understand and celebrate the good in them which is the half full section. Aim to try and understand what makes the half empty part.

Dreams, Goals and Visions

Dream, dream and set visions in your life. Goals are steppingstones towards your visions. However, ensure that a high percentage of your goals are readily achievable and this will promote successful journeys for you. Too many unachievable goals will be demoralising.

Manners

Good manners can be practiced by everyone. Everyone can in fact achieve 100% in ‘manners’. Manners are an outward show of consideration and thoughtfulness. Manners, like oil in a gearbox, makes the cogs of life go around and makes the world a better place-and helps the person showing manners to feel good.

Your Shot

As a batter in cricket, you have to play each ball in the way you consider is best. There are probably several different ways of playing it and you need to make a choice because you can only use one of them. Several of the possible choices will have a good result, but probably not all. However, remember if you don’t play a shot and the ball is on the wicket, there is a good chance you will be bowled. So, choose a shot and play it.

Change

If you are silly enough to put your hand in the fire, don’t think a pain killer will help - take it out quickly instead. If you are wise you won’t put your hand in the fire in the first place but will think wisely about where you can safely put it.

Rock Climbing

Rock climbing is an extreme sport where the rules MUST be followed. When you use a carabiner to clip yourself onto the safety rope, don’t trust anyone to screw the gate up, you do - its your life.

Doer Be a Doer not a Gunna.

Wise Words From Kurt Hahn Rather than saying ‘you go and do that ‘, say ‘you are needed-will you please go and do that’. There is tremendous power in telling a young person ‘They are needed’.

‘Frank’ The Fork Tailed Kite

Frank the Fork Tailed Kite was different from his mates who hunted in large flocks. He was smart, chose a good hunting area, which was the Royal Darwin Hospital car park and surrounds and hunted alone or only with his friend. He claimed his territory, with its plentiful food, hunting there not occasionally, but every day. Frank was not afraid to be his own bird and to take opportunity when he saw it. Frank knew that if he didn’t take an opportunity he would lose it. Yes - Frank believed in creative, individual thinking and taking opportunities.

Chris Tudor,

Principal Liaison & AISNT Historian