As a Principal there are so many issues to deal with daily. Often there is the feeling of being pulled from “pillar to post” resulting in stress rearing its ugly head. So often it seems that you as a Principal have to be good at everything. "Prioritise” the experts say but I always found this was easier said than done. “The board papers must be out by tomorrow; the Government form x must be completed or there is trouble; X teacher wants to see you about leaving before the end of term 1; an irate parent rang an hour ago; you have to teach the next lesson and are short of people for yard duty; teacher Y has just gone home sick and so it goes on .”

But what is the priority that must cut through all this regardless of the pressure. It is that you want the school to be a positive place and schooling to be a positive experience. To me this is the light from the lighthouse that must cut through the storm. As principal, you must remain calm, have a welcoming face, thoughtful and mostly cheerful disposition. This can be a challenge but there are no shortcuts. Wearing your heart on your sleeve is not acceptable as is seeking sympathy from the staff. Yes, the job of a Principal is tough and it is not for everyone. A school will decline if an ambitious person manages to win the job and they are not suitable. A competent Principal will regularly, in whatever way is meaningful, promote Positivity and the School.

Sure, furrow your brow in your office, stamp your foot etc. but project eternal positivity when you are out and about. Of course, positive language is so vital in a school and should be continually modelled by the Principal. Over my time I can remember Principals who had nothing to say except that which was negative. Consequently, the school’s morale barometer starts to drop instantly. If you have to bring something negative to the staff or whole school community, think hard about how you can “positively” present it. Avoid being known as a continual bearer of bad news. If it is something that concerns a small group, present it to the individual or small group and don’t involve everyone just because it's convenient. 

Beware if your aim is to be simply a good, polished administrator. The school Principal should be seen to be a keen, creative, educational philosopher with an endless store of ideas to present. Some Principals do this easily, others have to devote time in preparation - but if the school is to be a rich, positive place it must be done and done well. It has to be a priority. Good stories have been used to project ideas for ever, but they have to be good ones. As Principal, you must take any opportunity to project your positive philosophy, regardless of whether it be to students, parents, or staff. Keep it reasonably short, particularly in this day and age where the general attention span is limited. But make it good! I was a big believer in using a visible item as an analogy to attract attention.

Sadly, there are teachers who aspire to being Principals but are not naturally “cut out” for the job. The big negative occurs if they are unable to foster a Positive Philosophy in a school. There is so much analysis that has to go on in the process of choosing a Principal. Some boards use a search consultant, but such a professional has to be good and experienced. Not all boards have good, capable educators on them and this leaves them exposed to the possibility of the school ceasing to be a positive place. Some boards don’t take the time to get all the information and get it right. A classic mistake is to decide on someone, and they knock back the offer because they had a better offer. The temptation is to appoint the second choice, who may not be highly suitable for the position. There are times when I have listened to statements, when the appointment hasn’t worked out, which were along the following line: “But they were number 2 and if we didn’t choose them, we would have had to start the whole process again.” Well, that’s what should have happened. Surely no-one wants second best for their positive school.

A principal must always be very aware of their and the school’s relationship to the community. After all the enrolments come from the community and a positive image must be projected if students are to enroll. There is no disguising how fragile the relationship with the community is and the Principal has to work on this all the time.

In a positive school students are encouraged to relate well to one another with the students being in no doubt that positive relations really matter. It is not only the teachers who model positive relationships, but everyone who works in the school. I used to say that all staff members were in fact teachers regardless of their jobs.

A principal hopes that bullying won’t show its ugly head, but this is unlikely to happen. It is essential that it doesn’t fester and must be dealt with quickly.

How teachers talk to students is also important. Yelling etc. is now out of date and will undermine a positive atmosphere, setting an unfortunate example. Sure, bad behaviour has to be dealt with but with a background of maintaining the school with a POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

Some Thoughts:

Lead, Enthusiastically, Thoughtfully and Gently.

Avoid being impetus.

There will be many things a Principal will be faced with for the first time. Remember to turn “ I can’t” into “I can” = the little Red Engine Story!

Even if super busy, take some time, even if it is a short time to relate.

Develop the confidence to be creative and “have a go”.

One day being a Principal will come to an end. What would you like to be remembered for?

Written by Chris Tudor