The role of school principal is a unique one and not for the faint hearted. Like any senior management position where decisions impacting diverse individuals are made, it’s inevitable that you won’t please everyone, all the time.
These challenges can be even greater when the people at the centre of it all are budding works in progress and precious apples of their parent’s eyes.
There aren’t many positions where the demographic of the stakeholders you’re responsible for is so vast, and include children, teachers, parents, boards, community members and beyond. Much of what impacts any one of these groups within the school community is out of your control and yet you’re on the frontline for complaints.
A thick skin is mandatory. If you’re too soft, you’ll be criticised and equally if you’re too strict. It’s a delicate tightrope balance that over 9,000 principals in Australia work tirelessly to achieve throughout the school calendar year. They wear so many hats and today, on School Principals’ Day, we acknowledge and thank them for their enormous contribution.
A recent study has revealed high exhaustion levels amongst principals. Like our hard-working teachers, they face escalating demands and long hours.
Our children can benefit through teachers, principals and parents working cooperatively together, and we can set an example by acknowledging and being sensitive to everyone’s respective efforts and needs.
As the Principal Health Report 2017 states, no single stakeholder group is responsible for the state of education in Australia. While school principals play a huge role in the quality of education at their school, they don’t have the power to change the system, and it’s important we recognise their limitations as well as their achievements.
I can’t thank the principal and assistant principal of my primary age son’s school enough for their compassion, perseverance and level-headedness last year when he had a particularly tough and emotionally taxing year at school. It was a stressful time for the entire family.
He was just one student amongst several hundred, and yet they offered us their undivided attention and support and even an email or two well outside of school hours to check on us. I thank both of these ladies sincerely for their composure and attention whilst juggling so much else.
Of course, we must advocate for our children when they are struggling, that’s our responsibility as adults and parents. It’s also important to show compassion for our principals and teachers. It’s not always easy, but where concerns need to be raised, we can try to communicate them constructively.
Today and each day during the school year let’s remember our principals and their team of teachers and admin staff, all human beings doing their very best. Let’s support and encourage each other and thank them for all that they do so well.
As some of the hardest working people in education, it’s only fitting that on School Principal Day, we take the time to say “thank you” for all they do.
A simple message of appreciation can go a long way, and if you don’t get a chance to speak with your school principal in person, an email or card is an easy way to show your appreciation.
To take things a step further, consider a kind gift such as a fruit basket or box of chocolates. A token of gratitude is a kind way of acknowledging the hours, effort and workload behind being School Principal.
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