My first week in my new post as Deputy Head Teacher has probably been the most challenging five days of my career. Unfortunately I cannot be as candid about my experiences as I normally would be, due to a number of reasons, including some legal ones. Let’s just say “a baptism of fire” would be an understatement.
The week has been all about firsts. When you are starting somewhere new, everything you do will be for the first time. Learning about the routines for assembly, end of playtime, dinner routines, seeing behaviour policies in action, dealing with incidents. When you are thrust into situations where you are a little unsure or even completely unsure, it is a huge challenge.
Carrying something to write on has really helped as things to do, information and names have come thick and fast. I have also punctuated so much of my work with a smile, a joke to lighten the air with colleagues.
Strangely enough I have walked away from the last 5 days with a better understanding of myself, my resilience and ability to adapt. I understand the importance of my open mindedness and have a clearer appreciation for the inner strength you need to stray way beyond your comfort zone.
I have learned that you cannot plan for every outcome in certain situations and that sometimes you learn a lot more about people and yourself when all you are able to do is react. No time to think, just react. With everything stripped away, you are just left with your professional instincts.
This week I have learned that I can be visibly calm under intense pressure and the impact this has on those looking to me to lead. In fact I have surprised myself with my ability to think with clarity when pressed, it hasn’t been an act, but simply how I approached situations this week.
No other 5 day stretch has ever examined and pressurised my professional facets as those just gone.
I know for certain that I am lucky to be part of an amazing staff, a fantastic group of professionals who have supported and helped me through a tough week. I am very grateful to them for that. It is a week to be included in the memoirs one day.
Photo by Markus Spiske
I can feel the Friday night sigh in this, one I remember all too well from most of my weeks, months and years teaching. It's a good sigh, but one you hope gets lessened with every week that passes. It sounds to me as if there's the makings of a superb TeachMeet talk in there for our fifth year – I love the fact that the only technology that really suited your needs was a pencil and paper, also my tools of choice for keeping on top of things. Hurrah for the pad!
Hi Tom!
I started at a new position last year and feel your pain! You describe it so well-as yes, it can be a time in learning about yourself and others. It sounds like you have a good colleagues at your school! I hope your weeks at your new job get better!
“This week I have learned that I can be visibly calm under intense pressure and the impact this has on those looking to me to lead”
Tom, that is a very valuable insight and a very useful skill to have.
I guess as you are a 'new boy' in the school, other staff members may be 'testing' you (in a nice way) to see if you are on their side, perhaps to find your strengths, your views and maybe what makes you tick.
All of which is only to be expected. Stay strong, stay calm and let your best shine through (at least that's what one teacher once told me) and things will work right for you.
All the best and thanks for sharing your insights. Maybe you have learned as much as the kids in those 5 days!
Well done sir! Every 'challenge' that doesn't break you means you walk away stronger; tired maybe, but better equipped to meet what might be yet to come. Bit like running perhaps?
Hope you're not facing any #ashtag challenges this week 😉
Interesting post. I have stumbled and twittered this for my friends. Hope others find it as interesting as I did.
Enjoyed reading this Tom. When I was involved in school leadership I realised that you don't always have to make decisions quickly on the spot. It is sometimes better to try and generate some thinking or consultation time so that you don't make a snap decision that you might come to regret.
Hello Tom.
I have followed your blogging for about two years now and wondered what you may write about after gaining a new position. Firstly, as a deputy principal in a high school, I read this post and it perfectly related the way a week can challenge one well beyond anything ever imagined when at university studying to be an educator. I empathised!
Secondly, well done! You continue to honestly, openly reflect on the nature of our work and experiences. You learn and share, we all benefit!
I look forward to your ongoing adventures…
Well done to you! I think appearing calm under pressure is really important in leadership – if those in charge look flustered it affects everybody else negatively. Good luck for your next week!
Hi Tom. Sounds like you have coped extremely well with a really difficult week. I have also been in a situation where I was way, way out of my comfort zone in a new job. However, it sounds like you have exactly what you need to survive and thrive – supportive colleagues. Unfortunately, I didn't but that was a long time ago now.
Here's to the next weeks, months and years!
Well done on getting through the first week. It's easy to forget how difficult it is going into a new school at ANY level from NQT to Headteacher. From the little things like “what's the photocopier code?” to more heavyweight policies and practice, there's loads to know!
I'm really looking forward to my new job in September and fully expect similar stories and baptisms of fire!