The rewards of being a Principal

Some days I ask myself why I signed up to do this job. But those days are relatively few and far between. Most days I love my job because I am surrounded by people, both young and old, who challenge me, inspire me and give me hope for the future.

Just recently I heard a story about a young wizard who was trying to improve his magic skills. He was told by his wise mentor that the fundamental truth about changing one thing into another (magic) is that you must first know its real name. For example, to change a rock into a diamond, a wizard must first understand the unique qualities of both.

In a similar way, good teaching is a form of magic. That is, good teachers understand the essence of each child, who they are as well as who they have the potential to become. And it is only by knowing them well that they can help transform them into the people they are meant to become. Without knowing them, they attempt to teach rocks.

If ever there was a time that we need to transform rocks into diamonds, now is that time.

‘The word ‘education’ comes from the root e from ex, out, and duco, I lead. It means a leading out. To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil’s soul.’