It is no secret that Alice Springs has been struggling for some time, probably much longer than the press reports. Indeed the negative story about the town has travelled far and wide. All of us here will know of people who have left the town or are intending to go. It is not good but it is a reality. Most of us, when we have been interstate, will have been questioned urgently about the state of play here. I recall a member of the editorial staff of a major paper who was conducting a presentation for a board I was on, said that of course bad news is what sells. He also noted that most journalists wanted to have articles in the front 3 pages of the paper if possible and if they were unable to achieve this they would be considered by their colleagues as “losers”, an undesirable title. 

Whilst the negative regarding Alice may be a reality, I wonder why it also tends to drown the Positive, regardless. I am dismayed at some of the other on going negative media stories from elsewhere in Australia, hardly inspiring the population and in many ways pulling national morale down each day through their negativity. 

But then onto the TV was cast the Ad for Parrtjima, the spectacular, meaningful Festival in Light, wonderfully crafted and thoroughly meaningful. The colour drowned the negativity and going to a nighttime presentation was so uplifting and positive. How spectacular to once again have the Macdonnell Ranges and the land in front to be the canvas for this dramatic, colorful display featuring stories told by local Aboriginal People. And wasn’t it great to see so many families excitedly enjoying the show.

I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation as did my excited grandchildren. The displays were set up to really engage the children and indeed the adults. A gigantic puppet wandered amongst the crowd with volunteering children helping to move the arms etc. They not only were watching but were also doing and they couldn’t wait to have their turn. Children really respond to being engaged and schools that engage their children effectively are successful. 

Alice Springs was once again on the National stage for something positive and we as its citizens could be proud of what was being beamed to the nation. What a relief!

My first French teacher in year 7 started the year with a lecture on how he expected hard work and all he could promise was “blood sweat tears and toil.” His words terrified rather than inspiring me and consequently it was not a positive start to my French career. As it was I learnt to like him as a teacher but it took a while. I have always remembered that and as a teacher tried hard to be positive and encouraging. Sure you must keep the class under control but think constructively to do that. As all Principals should know effective teaching is based on a good understanding of your own character and how you come across and how you can use this understanding constructively. Enthusiasm is a good quality to have for a start. Though we are a relatively small group of schools we are mostly very different, trying to make our schools relevant to the communities we are serving. Really understanding the community is another important ingredient. When I started teaching some of my students were from Tobacco Farms. As you might expect all of these farms don’t exist now, most having become vineyards. During tobacco planting times many of the students would be up at dawn helping to plant the seedlings. After that they would have to catch a country bus to school, may be 45 minutes or an hour so it was no wonder they were not very receptive to learning and would be dropping to sleep mid-morning. Most schools will have particular issues to deal with. To ignore these will not result in effective teaching.

When training as a teacher what is sometimes presented as a normal way to organise a class may not be what is required for a particular class or classes you are responsible for. It is rather likely to require reflection and initiative by the teacher to craft what is appropriate to their situation. I have always been a little wary about what is the latest and greatest way to teach, coming out of teaching institutions because they don’t necessarily tackle the nature of the particular students in a specific school. I had a small class of 4 aboriginal students which I used to teach in my office -aged year 7 or 8 One boy in particular had undertaken a reading test and tested out as barely a reading capacity of grade one. I found the boy to be easy to engage, had quite a good general knowledge. 

On “Spec” I tried to have him read a page of a John Marsden novel, obviously something at the level of his chronological age. It was an experiment and how surprised I was that he read it fluently. I rapidly jumped to the conclusion that he didn’t understand what he had read. I questioned him on the content to see what the outcome would be and his comprehension was 100%. What a mystery! It took a little time to solve the problem - simply he just couldn’t do tests! Well forget about NAPLAN. He went on to be successful at school and passed his NTCE in year 12. By the way, one of the subjects he did in year 12 was music because he had a magnificent voice. The “norm” didn’t suit him and was important to explore what might actually work for him. 

Teaching can be a really tiring occupation and this is evident as the term goes. As Principal I used to remind teaches to be careful of week 7, which is when they start to really become weary and perhaps a “little short in the grain.” I thought that acknowledging this was a way of being supportive and understanding. Sometimes all a teacher needs is some acknowledgment and some understanding. However the job of Principal is also difficult and really demanding with everyone, including the Board, needing everything. I used to say that being a Principal is like being a Chameleon on a multicoloured blanket. This may not be entirely accurate but you get my “drift”. 

Though a Principal may often not feel like it, I believe it is part of their role to project positivity. They have, through a thoughtful approach, the ability to lift staff spirits, to make teachers and students feel valued and supported even in the abyss of week 7! 

The final thought I have is don’t shy away from writing down what you intend to say, who you must follow up , what the positive thing you are going to profile is etc. Remember you often spend the day with a very cluttered mind. But do it on something you can put in your pocket - then it will be done. Remember you don’t carry your computer around with you. I guess your phone is maybe another way but I’m a fan of the notebook. 

Delivering a positive message is sometimes best done by preparing what you are going to say. I used to think that most of what I said at assembly or other gatherings was best said without notes.  

I found that if I wanted it to be my best I would write and it would then have the appropriate thought, I would get names right and stories straight. An excellent word-smith is our very old Patron, Austin Asche who was also Administrator of the NT. He wrote his speeches and they were excellent because they had been expertly crafted.

Being a Principal is challenging but being positive and making the school positive must be a key objective. I reflected in one of my earlier articles about a very experienced Management Consultant I heard address a conference of Principals. He observed that the role of a Principal was perhaps the most complicated and challenging that he knew. Food for thought!

QUOTES FOR THE WEEK

“You define your own life. Don’t let other people write your script.” - Oprah Winfrey- is a talk show host, TV producer, actress, author etc. She is also a major Philanthropist. She established an excellent Boarding School for African Girls in South Africa which they can attend free of charge. She also supports students in their education after they graduate from school. A good friend of mine who has been the excellent head of four schools was Principal of this school. I had a very informative visit to the school staying over for a couple of days.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill-Leader of Great Britain in World War 2. Politician and prolific author.

“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.” - Margaret Mead-was an American cultural anthropologist from the1960s and 1970s.

“Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful.” - Audrey Hepburn- Brilliant British Actress

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.” - Paulo Coelho- Famous Brazilian author noted for writing the International Best Seller - “The Alchemist.”

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” - George Eliot - was Mary Ann Evans’ pen name. She was an English novelist, poet and journalist.

“Give light and people will find the way.” - Ella Baker- African- American civil and human rights activist.

“The way I see it, if you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” - Dolly Parton-is an American singer - songwriter, actress and Philanthropist.

“This journey that I’ve been on has shown me that it doesn’t matter how big your muscles are, you need to have a strong attitude and mindset.” - Turia Pitt- Athlete, Actor, Motivationalk Speaker and Mining Engineer. She survived severe burns during an ultramarathon in the Kimberley in 2011.

“To be driven by passion is more likely to bring success than to be driven by money. It’s an unrealistic notion that money makes you happy.” - Carolyn Creswell- Founder and Managing Director of Carman’s Fine Foods.

Written by Chris Tudor