Make it stop: I want to get off
Have you ever felt as if there's no end to the misery? Kids seem to like carousels, but plenty of adults find them quite nauseating. Sometimes it's the joy of when it stops.
This last week has felt like that for hundreds of school leaders across the nation. Every year, there's a project that asks school leaders how they're doing, what's causing them stress, how they're coping, and, for the first time, what they're thinking about how long they'll continue. The results were released recently.
It's a privilege to be involved in this project, to hear and retell stories of passionate, dedicated, generous, and committed school leaders.
But this year something changed.
We asked whether they ever thought about leaving their job.
Distressingly, too many said they did.
Our hearts sank.
School leadership is such a privilege, such an honour, such a joy...why would an increasing number want to leave?
The reasons are complex, and myriad. Regardless, evidence from the survey is incontrovertible. Too many are considering other options.
The impact on the nation's schools would be enormous, if they did.
And so, as some jurisdictions come to the end of their first term, thank you for your incredible service this term.
Thank you for staying on the carousel, even when it feels like you want to get off.
Thank you for showing up on days when you'd rather not.
Thank you for putting the needs of others ahead of your own, even when the sacrifice for doing so is yours alone.
Thank you for leading us.
Thank you for carrying us.
Thank you for shepherding us.
For protecting us.
For upholding us.
For loving us.
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Now...rest.
You deserve it, need it.
But don't get off the carousel.
Please.
Recharge and restore, so you can stay with us, still lead us, still inspire and encourage us.
Please.
Our nation, and thousands of school communities across it, owes a great debt to our school leaders. When too many of them are thinking they might leave, we need to reconsider how best we can support and honour them. Those who have not led have little real appreciation of the demands, but it's not a pre-requisite. What's needed, though, is that we collectively cherish them, and their service.
Politicians and bureaucracies may well have some way to go in this regard. But we don't have to wait for their lead, either.
Thank you.
If you're interested in more details about this project, here's some further thoughts .
?? Entertaining Keynotes ?? Team Wellbeing Specialist ?? Reduce the Stress ?? Stop the Churn ?? Improve Team Harmony
8 个月Great way to illustrate this current situation
Retired High School Principal , proud Irish, Scottish, English, Northwest European and Christian heritage, proud Australian.
8 个月Another good article Paul. Despite some of the challenges I loved being in school leadership for the opportunities it gave to work with teachers, students and parents- a community more than a school. It gives rise to the old saying of roundabouts and hurdy-gurdy’s. The greatest challenge was the increasing lack of autonomy and trust, the same as teachers in the classroom. Also the top down (government, ACARA, AITSL, Head Offices) changes and additions that quite frankly made little if any difference to the functioning or improvement in the school despite the perceived narratives and rhetoric. What wears you down is this frustration and trying to act as guard and door person to protect the school community from change that had no discussion or input. On many issues you get hounded into submission when you push back for the good of the community.
Principal at NSW Department of Education and Communities
8 个月Thank you Paul! I loved your shared insight.
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8 个月Love this. Paul, you're article on well-being of school leaders is insightful and also raised awareness to the fact that school leaders are also humans. Thank you for posting this.
Secondary school Principal Santa Maria College Northcote
8 个月Thank you Paul for raising awareness around the complexities of leading a school…..you get it.