Despite my last post suggesting that I was more a fan of rock music here I am posting YouTube clips of musicals! I have to admit I do quite like a tune from musicals and quite enjoy bellowing along in the car on my way to work. I was even embarrassing some of our children this week with my own rendition of Let it Go from Frozen, much to Miss Wilson’s amusement.Anyone who has worked with me in the past knows that I have a bit of tendency to sing or hum as I am walking around the school and pretty soon everyone gets used to it but since we are all still getting to know each other here it came as a little bit of a surprise.
It feels like I have been Headteacher of Easter Carmuirs for much longer than the 4 weeks I have been in post and I mean that in a very positive way! I am getting to know everyone a little better and viceversa. I spoke at my interview about my very firm belief that if we are going to work successfully as a community we need to take account of everyone as an individual and the only way we can do that is by getting to know one another, and the best way to do that is by talking to each other.
As part of my reading for my postgraduate qualification in headship we spent some time considering this book by Brent Davies and one of the key points for me was that “relationships are formed only when people come into contact with each other”. It seems like such an obvious thing to say but in the day to day running of a school with the pressures on everyone to meet deadlines, deliver paperwork and all the other things that have been called the “tyranny of the urgent” it can be one of the first things to get dropped out of a day. I try to make it a point to visit every class, every day and most days I manage it. I also make every effort to get into the playground every day as it gives us an opportunity to chat in a slightly different context. I enjoy speaking with our staff, children and families finding out a little more every time about what makes us all individuals, so if you see me out and around the school at the end of the day don’t forget to introduce yourself and have a blether!
