THE NEW PAGE:

Prepare, Plan, Think, List, Delegate, Follow up, but Principals are individuals and will operate accordingly.

It is always exciting starting a new year with all its exciting opportunities. I used to enjoy asking this question at the start of the year: how can I help to make the school better and how can I improve what I do? These challenges light a new fire of determination. Each new year, is a new year and demands some newness as it is brought into reality, not simply repeating all the old, particularly repeated without thought.

The following may be second nature to you which is great. However, as a Principal we are always reminding everyone else but usually no one reminds us. If any of the following strikes a chord with you, fantastic; or if they spark other creative thoughts, then wonderful and this article has been useful.

NEW STAFF

Many of you will have new staff and settling them in must be a priority for the school. I found that I was kidding myself if I thought an introductory session with the ‘newies’ was all that was required. New staff always benefited from having a conscientious and effective mentor. Over time I appointed some who were not effective and as a result a price was paid. Important messages to ‘newies’ need to be really clear, repeated, affirmed and preferable also presented in writing.

I think that it is essential for a Principal not to be remote from the newies. The Principal is their new leader and it is important that they see their leader as approachable and dependable otherwise insecurity will set in.

In Territory schools it is likely that new staff will have been appointed from interstate. This move is a big one and will have many challenges of its own for new staff which can include finding a reasonable place to live. Help in these situations will always be welcome.

SHORT STAFFED

A major fear for a Principal is to commence the year short staffed. I know many NT principals have experienced this. Try as much as you can, if this happens, not to appoint someone who is potentially unsatisfactory. For example, if you can buy time with a good relief teacher, use that as an approach. I used to take some extra lessons myself, though this was not easy, and I always had some staff prepared to do the same. I made sure that they were paid for doing this. Be careful because not all staff are able to do this even if they think they can. Staff capacity will differ between individuals.

MAKE YOUR COMMUNICATION COUNT

Dr Stephen Brown made the observation at our get together that the first 7 words of an address or talk are the ones that will engage people. Think carefully on the words that you might use when addressing staff because they will lead into good communication. Make what you say to staff inspirational when you can. This usually takes some creative thought. Remember-boring never does it!

BELONGING One of the paramount feelings to generate in staff is that of belonging. Use your creativity and whatever else you can to set this on track. Have it as an item you discuss with your seniors. Part of belonging is to feel part of a team.

You as Principal need to be predictable and trusted. In the past some Principals have felt the need to generate uncertainty and make it a factor of power. This is not good and prevents staff from feeling safe.

After retiring I was asked to address the NT SA branch of The Association of Heads of Independent Schools in a “Fireside Chat” and my key point was the importance of Principals making their school feel safe - Staff, students and parents. This is such an important task and requires deep thought and creativity.

BE REALISTIC ABOUT COMMUNICATION NOT JUST HOPEFUL

Experienced Principals are aware that they will not have everyone’s full attention when addressing staff and indeed students. What has been said needs affirmation and follow up to ensure that everyone has absorbed it.

VALUE OF GOOD NEWS

Good News is important. From the start avoid being a Principal who is always negative with staff - keep presenting the positive, people’s achievements, and encourage, encourage and encourage. If you are doing this normally, then if you have to say something negative there is a better chance that it is going to be received.

BE PREPARED

As a Principal you must be prepared. There is no way out of this despite being really busy. Being unprepared results in people becoming unconfident in you and therefore feeling unsafe about your leadership. This situation is to be avoided at all costs.

PRINCIPAL AS DECISION MAKER

There are always heaps of decisions a Principal must make throughout the year. However there are probably more at the start of the year as you set the school on track. As Principal you are paid to make good decisions. However the worst thing you can do is to avoid making decisions. Whilst it is inevitable that you will get some wrong, try and get most of them right and the route to this is wise discussion with whom you decide are the right people and a great deal of reflection from yourself. Whist busy you have to allow yourself the opportunity to think. If your decision needs modifying don’t be afraid to do this, though you must make sure any change is very well communicated.

THE POWER OF THE LIST

A Principal’s Day is governed by lists. Don’t simply rely on memory, list what you must do and order it from “ASP” to “Whenever”. When you have completed something, cross it off your list. The very act of doing this is rewarding. If you have a list, with an attempt to prioritise, you will journey in the right direction. If you simply allow yourself to be a reactive Principal your achievements will be limited. It is much better if your deputy plays the reactive role.

DELEGATE OR DROWN

Delegate, delegate, delegate- don’t be afraid to delegate. Principals can fall into the trap of feeling they shouldn’t delegate - the trap will turn out to be a bottomless pit. Remember, for example, you are paying your deputy to deal with a heap of things. But be clear when you delegate and check sooner rather than later to make sure the task has been completed.

YOU ARE A CREATOR

The role of a Principal is a creative one. If you are not solving problems or generating good ideas you should be. I always found plane flights a great place to generate ideas - but you must allow yourself the time to do this even when you are sitting at your desk or walking around the school.

MAKE THE BOARD “STUFF” EFFECTIVE

Reporting to your Board is an important task. Discuss with the chair the most efficient way you can report to your Board. There are different models of this - aim for something which is informative but doesn’t wantonly consume time. Remember anecdotes, which may be important, can be spoken about in a meeting with the minute secretary writing a description of them .

TEACHING PRINCIPAL IN A ONE TEACHER SCHOOL

The life of a teaching Principal in a one teacher school is a huge challenge. I never did it but admire the people who do. The Board of a one teacher school must be really understanding because the Principal still has to fulfill the tasks that governments and departments demand, the same as a large school.

When I was newly elected as chair of ISA (NCISA as it was then) I visited a number of schools around Australia. In Tasmania I visited a one teacher school in Hobart. I remember the Principal teaching and also having a shifting scanner stuck in his back pocket. Clearly maintenance was his as well!

YOU ARE UNIQUE

Though the above are helpful approaches to your role always remember you are an individual who works with your own unique personality. “That person does it that way but I don’t feel comfortable doing that.” OK, the jobs must be done and the outcomes achieved but you must do it in the way that suits your personality or it won’t work well.

Best of luck for the start of the year. May it be a good one, may your challenges be reasonable and may you have a happy, effective school.

Chris Tudor

Principal Liaison & AISNT Historian