Dear Parents
I went on a very stimulating course in London this week. Eight retiring heads were being advised on the skills needed to mentor newly appointed heads. It reminded me of the first course on headship that I attended 25 years ago in Oxford. Two bits of advice have stayed with me and there is an element of truth to both of them. The first was rather depressing and has only occasionally seemed true in real life. We were told that: “There will soon be so many alligators snapping at your heels that you will forget why you decided to drain the swamp.” Well at Battle Abbey, there has been little sign of a swamp, (although of course we have a “bloody” lake on the battlefield), and there have been very few alligators. The vast majority of people with whom I have had the privilege to work have been genuinely concerned to do the very best for the children or in the children’s case the very best for themselves and the school. But the odd alligator keeps you on your toes!
The second piece of advice was: “let the corridors of your school ring with love and laughter.” What great advice that was and I have tried my hardest to follow it. It doesn’t always work of course but without ideals we would be nowhere. This idea of encouraging “love and laughter” has been an internal driver for me throughout my career and I hope some of it is reflected in our corridors, along with much else.
Best wishes
Roger Clark
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