From the Acting Principal

Adapting our leadership approach in response to uncertainty.

As we approach the end of 2021, I reflect on the year that was. Like many of my colleagues and leaders of schools, I have continually adjusted my leadership style to our ‘new normal’ at HVGS.

This year, we started with vibrant communities of learning and engaging classrooms. We had a wide-ranging co-curriculum program outside of class and we had aspirations for the year ahead. As the COVID situation became increasingly concerning across the state, we monitored the situation. It was inevitable we would need to close, and we needed to prepare.

On 14 July, Newcastle Herald interviewed me, eager to understand our response to a lockdown. I responded with, “our staff and students would be able to transition to remote learning at a moment’s notice” and “we had it covered.” Suddenly, those words were put into action and we were navigating our way through learning, working, and teaching from home. Online schooling left students isolated from their friends, family, and teachers.

But with thanks to our wonderful leaders and staff at HVGS we made it through to the other side. Critical to our success was that we remained calm and embraced an attitude of “we’ve got this.” Throughout this experience, we recognised the importance of being prepared to continually adapt to the circumstances and provide clear and robust communication.

Moving forward

As adults, historically, we have faced numerous stressors through social and economic upheaval, which forced us to meet great uncertainty in all aspects of our lives. At times, this uncertainty may have made us feel overwhelmed, making it incredibly difficult to make decisions or function to our full human potential.

When things become less predictable — and controllable —we experience an intense state of threat. Threat leads to the ‘fight, freeze, or flight’ responses in the brain. It also leads to decreases in motivation, focus, agility, cooperative behaviour, self-control, a sense of purpose and meaning, and overall wellbeing.

A focus on wellbeing and opportunities for students to socialise with their peers will be paramount upon our return to school. When educators work together with their Psychology teams, the student and educator experience of feeling overwhelmed can become more manageable.

Tips from HVGS psychology team: Set expectations with realistic optimism.

We can train our brains to do well when we ‘expect the unexpected.’ It is essential to know the simple tools at our disposal to deal with unexpected challenges and when to use them.

Lift to big-picture thinking.

Big picture thinking allows us to thrive because of the benefits of adopting a higher perspective. Actively and purposively deciding to consider our perspective helps us accept the reality of most situations without the big emotions.

Foster positive relationships.

Developing positive relationships is critical in assuring our wellbeing and the health and happiness of those around us.

Good quality leadership teams that foster a sense of calm and adaptability will be the key to surviving the unpredictable in schools in the future.

Fiona Devlin Acting Principal.