Legend in a lunchbox…

Thousands of screaming fans, overjoyed with my simple presence – it was not. But visiting my now former school to be farewelled by the students I cared for these last five years, was as close as I’ll get (or ever want to get!) to the rockstar experience.  

Children have a great knack of saying what they think and feel without a filter – and I got the whole range. From the standard and classic six year old question of “I have a wobbly tooth!” (thanks Ralph W) to the eloquent, simple and ever so touching “I miss you. I wish you didn’t have to go.” 

Much of my life now seems to be searching the clouds for silver linings, and I’ve had to search pretty damn hard for the sparkling one surrounding stepping down from my job. A position that I really did find so much joy in. But the old Parkinson’s silver lining is there – barely visible to the naked eye – but here nevertheless. Being cut down whilst still climbing the potential heights of my capability has given me the time to truly appreciate the impact I’ve been privileged to have on so many – and hopefully the values underlying my impact will help to guide my path into the future.

Looking out onto a sea of captivated, smiling little faces (and some bigger, older ones too); after being sung to, and presented with cards, drawings, photos and videos. I heard myself say something to this effect:

Any class, in any school can make a book for someone.

Most students these days can produce an iMovie.

The skills and even knowledge about me that has been presented doesn’t impress me. In this regard, I expect nothing less from you.

However, there is a genuineness – a sparkle in your eyes, an effort to participate, some solemn faces sure – but an overwhelming respectful ambience that fills me with the answer to a question that plagues me knowing that I will never be a school principal again.

“Could I have done more?”

The answer you have given me today is a comforting one… and the answer? Well ..the answer is that I didn’t need to.

If the impact I have had as a school principal has nudged students, families and staff toward a path of love – for learning, for what we have and for each other, What more could I hope to achieve. The thought that went into each piece of writing, each messy red-headed crayon drawing and every comment and memory on film was far greater than any gold watch as recognition that, for the most part at least, I was a positive influence, and the image I projected was indeed the calm, thoughtful and compassionate image that I intended. I use the term ‘image’ very deliberately because it is simply honest. The truth is, I was and still am, rarely as calm and confident as I project – a capacity that all of us have and underpins not only successful leadership, but a functioning society. Before this gets too deep and preachy, I will finish with an analogy that my under 11 cricket coach taught me, and it has never left:- If you can’t be a good cricketer – at least look like one.

Thank you all for making me feel like Don Bradman.