Kia ora e te whānau

There is something very special about principalship. The job demands integrity in spades and a deep streak of common-sense that is offset by a hint of mischief. 

At our core though, is just simple humanity expressed in the small daily rituals of care and concern for others. It is a deep appreciation for the human condition in all of its colour and beautiful chaos. 

In short, principals are damn good people doing good work!

The past few weeks are a shining example of this. 

I am proud of you all. Proud to be part of a community called to leadership at a time of unprecedented challenge. I am proud that we have looked that challenge squarely in the eye and said, we’ve got this!

Principals picking up the phone to check-in with colleagues because we know how lonely leadership can be.

Principals sharing updates, newsletters and home learning plans; we’re all in this together.

Principals taking time to pick-up the phone to help a colleague solve a problem.

Principals quietly getting on with the business in their schools, because that is the job.

Principals reassuring staff and organising creative ways to stay connected and positive during the lockdown.

Principals that have taken time to thank the Ministry of Education for the pace and clarity of information on managing COVID-19.  They have been superb.

Principals keeping up morale of staff, students and parents. We carry our communities and we set the tone.

You have been impressive!

But we are not superhuman. We are where the buck stops. And so, we lean on each other. We reach out to other principals and others reach out to us. That is how we roll. 

If there is a silver lining to the COVID-19 cloud, it is that we are reminded of the deep humanity required of principalship and that our networks are powerfully strong.

We are reminded how much principals are respected as leaders in the engine room of challenge; on the deck during the battle; at the helm in the storm. 

It is a brave place to be. It gives us a unique voice that is powerful. 

For the next few weeks, it is your turn to be sustained. As we all begin the school holidays in compulsory confinement, do some deep exhaling! Don’t underestimate the taxing pressure you have been under.  Find that thing that brings you joy and do it!  

Top of my list is cooking. Making Rēwena bread is my first project and then getting stuck into some reading—first cab of the rank is ‘Range’ by David Epstein and then a couple of thrillers by the fabulous Michael Robotham.

I’ll be in touch every week throughout the lock down period.

Email or phone me anytime if you want to talk.

Take care everyone. We’ve got this!

Ngā manaakitanga

Perry Rush
perry@nzpf.ac.nz