Kia ora e te whānau

At our NZPF Moot in March, I spoke about the need to be muscular in our leadership. This idea refers to the confidence and quality of our professional leadership. Muscular leadership thrives when you foster ethical ways of behaving. It is doing what you know is right for the people you lead and for those whose welfare is entrusted to you. Muscular leadership requires backbone and bravery. It requires you to take risks and back your judgement.

We live in an information maelstrom. More than ever we must push away the ‘noise’ to find clarity. Failing to do so will render us ‘shell shocked’ by the staccato advice coming at us. Close the door on that noise for a while and cease worrying about getting it ‘right’. Your primary concern is to act from a position of integrity and ethical action.

This is a time to understand that education is deeper than the sum of its parts. Education is shaped by ‘big ideas’ whose core purpose has little to do with whether a student has a device available to them; has sufficient time to practise basic facts; or has a regular Zoom conference with their teacher.

Acting ethically requires us to focus on:

• how we respond to the stress in the lives of our young people and their families
• how we mitigate isolation and build connection
• how we help young people build resilience
• how we ensure they are safe
• how we ensure remote learning is more than busy activity and includes tasks that have educative value

In thinking about these ‘big ideas’ I was immediately struck by the relevance of the Mental Health Foundation’s Five Ways to Wellbeing. These are research-based practices demonstrated to have efficacy on mental health. I like the clarity and simplicity of the message they offer and the call to ethical action that nurtures the wellbeing of our students, families, staff and community.

The 5 daily mental health practices are:

• Connect - talk and listen to each other, build relationships with those around you
• Give - your time, your words, your presence; do something nice for your family, a friend or stranger
• Take Notice - be curious
• Keep Learning - embrace new experiences, see opportunities, surprise yourself
• Be Active - do what you can; enjoy what you do; move your mood.

I like the idea of teachers and young people putting flesh on the bones of these practices in a home-based setting. I like that they are open-ended and invite a variety of creative responses. I like that they are universal and apply to all ages.

Leadership, in times of crisis and fluidity, where there are so many unknowns, is an art not a science. It does not arise from a formula that can be learnt and deployed in a consistent manner. It arises from the ‘rightness of fit’. This is the exercise of judgement in the absence of rule. It is what a painter experiences when juggling the elements of their art - colour, texture, space, form, shape and line, to communicate an idea. It is only ‘right’ when the painter judges for themselves that these attributes work in unison and achieve a goal.

You are that painter. You make the judgement about how the brush strokes land as you sweep them across the paper; you decide the colours; and you build your creation in a unique way because it is your work.

No permission is necessary. Why would you need to seek permission to do your job?  Like all good professionals, you will take stock of others’ work and be inspired. That is how professionals grow and change.

There is no shortage of opportunity nor encouragement to do things ‘your’ way. I was pleased that this was made very clear in Tuesday’s Special Bulletin.

Yesterday’s announcement regarding the government’s home learning package is a fantastic help in providing a wealth of resources to support your approach. The investment is significant, and I thank the government for the work they are doing to support you to support the learning of our young people. You will sift and sort and use the resources that best enable your approach.

I am proud of how you have responded in this crisis. There is no shortage of a ‘roll up your sleeves’ attitude.

As you continue to plan for the start of the term, close the door on the noise coming at you now and muscle up your leadership. Think about what your students require and articulate your approach with confidence.

Keep positive, focused and connected. Your community is looking to you for confident, muscular leadership.  

Kia kaha e hoa ma. Kia ihi, kia maru.

Ngā manaakitanga

Perry Rush
perry@nzpf.ac.nz