Educator, dad, board game geek, book reader, magic: the gathering nerd, running enthusiast, and coffee lover
I am sure you’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions”? It used to make much sense to me. But now I’m not so sure. It’s become increasingly evident to me that whilst some tenets of good leadership (integrity and empathy, for example) will probably endure for all time, some things need […]
Something fantastic happened to me today. A kid walked up to me and said: “Where were you yesterday? I missed you!” I was caught off guard by the question. It was so unexpected, so out of context, that I think it ranks as one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced as a school leader. […]
“All we need is another photocopier.” When I started teaching, I promised myself that if I stayed long enough to become a school leader, I would install a second photocopying machine to improve staff morale and wellbeing. Nothing was more frustrating than having to join the queue of grumpy, pre-caffeinated teachers waiting for their turn […]
As well as packing away the Christmas decorations, one of the things I enjoy doing each New Year is having a good declutter. I feel like I’ve spent my life moving house (I’ve just counted: I am currently in my 22nd house), so I’ve built this habit more out of necessity than anything else. Both […]
I do not intend to become a book reviewer, but I have a short story about how I decided to keep just three books this year. Curating the Keepers As readers, there are a few books we read each year that leave a lasting impression. They will change how we understand or feel about something, […]
All you want for Christmas (literally) Adapted from my 2023 end-of-year speech to High School students and staff… As I walked around the school this week, I was uplifted by the excitement from staff and students in the high school. I also could not help but notice the thousands of gifts that were being carried […]
This weekend, we put up our Christmas tree. We revelled in our work, turned up the music, ate mince pies and drank mulled wine (and blackcurrant juice!)—one of my favourite days of the year. We always put the lights on first. Two sets of lights were untangled, bulbs checked, and batteries replaced. Tinsel is no […]
The strain of work is exceptionally high for us at the moment. It feels like I’m involved in a titanic tug-of-war. On one side are my colleagues and me, and on the other is my old adversary, Busyness, with all his friends. “Pick up the rope” We have to pick up the rope; not doing […]
The Corner Office I watched the TV series Suits for 10 (ten!) seasons and couldn’t get enough of it. Looking back, I now question why. Sure, I loved the childish interplay between the main protagonists, Harvey Specter and Mike Ross. Louis Litt was fun. And I loved to hate Megan. But what else? Did I […]
I Love You Every so often, my wife ‘advises’ me to go for a long walk. Is she trying to tell me to shape up? Or does she sense I need to clear my head? I am sure she will love me whether I go or not, but I go because I think I need to […]
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