On Sunday I went to Traeger Park to watch my Team Melbourne Demons play the Fremantle Dockers. Melbourne had just come off a spectacular win against St Kilda. Alice is part of the Melbourne heartland so there were plenty of supporters in red and blue there. Traeger Park looked magnificent against the painted red of the ranges, hanging beneath the big blue sky. I thought to myself how often I pass this ground of ours and take little notice, probably because I’m busy or in the wrong head space. 

Such thinking also can affect a Principal who can easily miss something important because their mind is absent from the “job”. 

Though I enjoyed watching the game, all the while absorbing the scene. Sadly the Demons who had five minutes of glory at the start, then proceeded to be thumped by the Dockers. I, like others, tried to analyse their poor performance, but failed dismally. They seemed to play the game hard but were just beaten. The machinery of their team play just wasn’t good enough. How could this happen after last week’s convincing win? At the post match interview the coach admitted that the team had had trouble with inconsistency throughout the season. It was so easy to mask such trouble with their win of last week and easy to forget their loss two weeks ago - so the team then remains fragile with weaknesses, masked by success.

It is so easy as a Principal, to miss problems, in the same way, or for a Board to do likewise. Being a Principal is such a complicated, diverse job it is easy to fall into this trap. I recall a person in authority, and this was years ago, saying that a particular Principal was relieved from their position because they had “taken their eye off the ball.” With one’s eye on the ball, a Principal must be like a sheep dog, in pursuit of sheep until they have truly rounded the problem up. Good sheep dogs never give up.

It was deep in winter during COVID and I was freezing on my little farm. I needed a respectable jumper that wasn’t full of holes or dappled with paint. At that stage the locals nearby had affectionately named me “The Hermit on the Hill”. Fine - I can take a joke but I didn’t want to be known as the “Destitute Hermit on the Hill”. My old dog looked up at me with pleading eyes which clearly said that I needed to get my act together for she didn’t want to be known as the “Hermit’s Destitute Hound on the Hill.” 

So into the Nissan, sped into town, masked up, and entered the menswear shop. The ideal jumper soon caught my eye-possum wool, round necked (I hate Polo necks) made in New Zealand. I bought it and wore it with pride for months, avoiding getting under the tractor with it , or using it in the gentle art of fencing. Then, one freezing day my dog stared at my left elbow in horror. “What’s up with you” I exclaimed. Then following her stare I discovered I had a not unsubstantial hole in it!

You know, If I checked my jumper more often and more thoroughly then I would have found it before it had become a disaster. I’m OK at basic sewing so I could have acceptably got it sorted.  

As Principals we have to try to be across everything and be aware of the dangers of blind spots. If there is a problem, deal with it so the hole in the “jumper” doesn’t become unmanageable.  

Choice is a continual part of the Principal Game and the ongoing challenge is to work at making the right Choice or Choices Right -CRs! “Old McDonald had a very effective farm ei,ei,oh. And on that farm he made lots of choices ei,ei,oh. With a CR here and a CR there, here a CR, there a CR, everywhere a CR”……………….you get the drift.  

However remember that you don’t have to make all the Choices by yourself, but you MUST be happy with them. A Principal can’t say - it’s not my fault, it wasn’t my choice- the job doesn’t work like that!  

But within in a school good communication is vital to truly win on this. It sounds easy but it’s not. The process of communicating is so often peppered with human nature, forgetfulness, distraction etc. In my 42 years in schools it has always been the case and it is impossible to legislate out forgetfulness, different perceptions, mistakes etc. Those highflying Js on the Myers, Briggs personality test may be naturally better at this than the Ps. However if Principals realise that this is a reality they can set up structures to minimise the outcomes. I remember that some of my best teachers were forgetful! However this is where a Principal must reach into their bag, which contains creativity and wisdom and use it. 

A useful thing in a school is to ensure that those making Choices have someone they can discuss an issue with if they feel they need to. What is reassuring is that this is seen as acceptable and not a sign of weakness. It is up to the Principal to make sure this is in train. 

Looking for a reason is so important in a school as is the art of choosing- wisely.

Written by Chris Tudor