With the first term break occurring at the end of this week there is the danger to hard working Principals that they see it as irrelevant to them. As a result, some Principals feel they are obliged to keep working regardless. Sure, there is “stuff” that has to be done but into this holiday time I think it is important for Principals to set aside some genuine “R and R” time for themselves and to not feel guilty about it. They need to accept that doing this is in fact normal. I recall people saying to me that “if you don’t take care of yourself no-one else will.” I was actually talking about this to a CEO yesterday. I used to find the more fatigued I got the more difficult it was to make decisions, particularly good decisions. When that’s the case the school will be affected.

So, build into your weekly agenda some things which refresh and “de-stress” you. Then during the holidays avoid, with a clear conscience, feeling guilty about taking a break, and actually plan some time to refresh yourself. Remember the job you do is one of the most complicated and brings with it a fair amount of stress. On the News this week it profiled the difficult position Australia was in with the number of Principals who were leaving the profession. It is so important that you are sensible as a Principal and take looking after yourself seriously.