Yesterday I spent the day watching the Central Australian Eistedford. It is now in its 38th year, run by volunteers many of whom have been a driving force for years so that it is able to happen in a most professional manner. It was a day for the primary schools, and I was thrilled to watch these youngsters take this opportunity available to them to gain skills and most importantly confidence. I was really pleased that 3 of my grandchildren were taking part. It was memorable that two of them were the sole competitors in a section, so it was two cousins competing against each other which was a good, valuable experience.

I watched the 9 and under “prepared reading” and enjoyed the 36 youngsters strutting their stuff. I was so impressed with the adjudicator who was positive to all the students when summing up a section, even though there would be only a handful of awards. After each section he gave useful advice on how the youngsters could improve. Happily, I also embraced some of his comments!

Never too old to learn.

It is a pity that The Darwin Eistedford no longer exists.

As I was watching the performances I was also thinking of a way to keep the word “opportunity” front of mind. It is so easy to miss opportunities because they often don’t register as such. It may be a happening but may not be seen as an opportunity. The well-known identity of James Bond came to mind - 007. It is well used, well known and easy to remember. Yes, “0” is for opportunity, another “0” is for another Opportunity and the number seven itself is known to be related to positive things. “7” appears positively in a number of religions. There are indeed seven days in the week; there are seven continents; there are seven colours in a rainbow and there are seven wonders of the world. I think this colourful jumble of ideas is a good way to remind young people to look for and embrace opportunities.

It is also a good way for Principals and Teachers to remember to always take appropriate Opportunity to focus on the Positive.

During the week I was a guest at a Boarding House dinner. The Head of the Boarding House was establishing a tradition of a special dinner mid-week where student achievement could be profiled at a meal that was clearly special. He had six awards which were to be given to students who had deserved them for kindness, room presentation etc. However, with each award he profiled several other students who, whilst not winning the award, were signalled out for their positive achievements as well. Many of the students play sport in town teams and this was an opportunity to profile a number of their sporting achievements. Setting this up as a weekly event provided good regular opportunities for positive recognition of students. It was not hard to see the wave of pleasure float around the dining room.

The Head of Boarding of course has an advantage in that he has worked at several schools and has made his career in boarding He is an excellent professional.

As the year wears on there can be a danger for Principals and Teachers to wear down and take the negative line rather the positive. Being a Principal is a good game but without doubt a tough one. It is probably useful to suggest that you have a greater chance of being positive if you are taking care of yourself and not becoming dangerously exhausted. I must say, that when I moved into that shadow, I found decisions harder to make and there was also a greater chance of making a bad one. Most Principals will be keen to avoid making a bad decision if possible. It, however, is likely to happen at some stage but minimising such an unfortunate occurrence is obviously high on a Principal’s agenda.

007! Opportunity, Opportunity, Positivity. Being a good Principal requires creativity, ability to solve problems and critical thinking.

Being Creative is a very satisfying part of the Principal’s Job. Such thinking will have a chance of enhancing the school, making it better for students and staff. Lack of creative thinking will result in a school eventually stagnating and probably teachers lacking creativity as well. Students will then not respond as they should to the school. I loved the creative side of the job right up to my retirement - thinking, analysing, scribbling, drawing, planning, gathering opinions etc, etc. and on one occasion walking backwards, planning a new room and then crashing over a large boulder, cutting my arm on the protruding mica- yep 17 stitches; but the planning had been tackled.

Though it could be irritating it can be of benefit having a discussion with someone you know doesn’t agree with you. There are some journalists whom I refuse to read because their opinions are well away from mine. This morning, I read some articles of such commentators and was glad that I had. They presented arguments I hadn’t thought about, and I added to my thinking from their point of view. Everyone who is a teacher should be encouraged to think critically as should the students at whatever level is appropriate to them. Through my 42 years as a teacher I was confronted with so many ideas, presented as the “latest and greatest.” Some were, but some proved to be a disaster, despite the stated evidence presented. Yes, Principals must always be prepared to think, analyse, consult and then make a decision based on their critical analysis and thought. A decision may even be underpinned by the fact that it “doesn’t feel right.” Like many I’m aghast at the world at the moment and the way many people are prepared to acquiesce to obviously really poor ill-considered ideas.

• A poor idea won’t in the end be positive and will not enhance the climate of the school.
• Similarly in cricket the person batting may get away with not playing a shot for a few balls but eventually will be bowled out.
• A netball goal shooter cannot receive the ball and continually not have a go at shooting a goal. They will lose their place in the team.
• A Principal is employed to lead and make decisions. If they can’t make decisions, they will not survive.

 So … remember 007. Think big and critically, be creative, be positive, foster opportunities and have the courage to act.

Written by Chris Tudor