Media Centre

As Principal it is so valuable to have a clear, known definition of these three factors and not simple to look this up just before a board meeting. A shallow understanding is not helpful - it is essential for a principal to really engage with this and to encourage their board to as well. It is also important that staff are encouraged to be able to recognise issues and for students to be observant. It is of no value for the Principal to understand it and keep it hidden.

This excellent program was presented last week, February 27 and 28 in Darwin for both AISNT and Catholic School Leaders. The presenters were our well known Dr Stephen Brown, Managing Director of the Brown Collective and three lawyers who are partners of the noted Law Firm Colin Biggers and Paisley - Megan Kavanagh, Morgan Lane, Mathisha Panagoda. The Principal I had in 1980 had just returned from running a school in Brunei for five years. He had a global view of life and I can see him now, as he addressed the staff in a meeting, noting that we were following the United States trend into the Age of Litigation. And he was certainly right! As a new Principal it was easy to be intimidated when someone said: “Well I’m going to see a lawyer”. I quickly learnt to say: “Fine if you have to.” I knew that I would do likewise immediately.

Cheryl Salter, Executive Director of AISNT

During the weekend I came across some papers given to me ages ago by an old psychologist friend of mine. They were about Work - Related Stress, a condition faced by many in the teaching profession including Principals. I’ve added to these some considerations from my own experience. I well remember my mentor saying “Of course Chris we don’t get stressed”.

Gäwa Christian School Elcho Island Know and Learn the Truth Marŋgiyinyawu Yuwalkku// An Understanding

I was sitting on a large rock reflecting on the school year which was about to swing into action. I was thinking of a friend of mind who was informed by his board that “he had taken his eye off the ball.” Probably a good message to be given at a review before it is too late. It is valuable for a Principal to maintain really good relations with the Board Chair and to meet regularly with them. I had lunch with my chair most Mondays and we could explore immediate issues or drift into the world of educational philosophy which was always envigorating. But the Chair and I got to know each other well.

AISNT Board Director & Principal of Alice Springs Steiner School 

The Thinker & The Hands

AISNT Board Director & Principal Good Shepherd Lutheran College