By James Penstone, Secondary Principal
13 September 2024
A Celebration of All That Happens Behind the Scenes
Three years ago, during a memorable graduation speech, two of our students made a special effort to acknowledge not just their parents and teachers, but also those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the school’s success. These students, perhaps more attuned to the intricacies of a school’s operations during the pandemic, with just three words — “behind the scenes” — highlighted the often-overlooked contributors to education: the staff in finance, HR, engagement, office administration, facilities maintenance, catering, admissions, operations, transport, cleaning, IT, and more.
While students naturally build strong relationships with their teachers, a functioning school relies on a wide range of dedicated professionals. Without effective support across various departments, the school’s daily life and learning environment would not be possible.
This past year, we have made significant strides in developing the leadership capacity of our academic leaders. In the same timeframe, as part of our new strategic vision, we have also recognised the importance of hearing from all members of our school community, including those in key administrative roles. Their perspectives are invaluable in shaping the future of our school.
Yesterday, we took a significant step forward in supporting the professional growth of these administrative teams by hosting a one-day workshop for key department heads and other administrative staff. The focus was on fostering collaboration and further aligning their efforts with the school’s broader strategic and cultural direction. Drawing on recent leadership development lessons from our academic leaders, the workshop provided an opportunity to refine leadership skills and build cohesion across departments.
It was an energising and rewarding day, and a timely reminder of how essential these behind-the-scenes teams are. Their work enables the smooth operation of the school, and we owe them our gratitude for their invaluable contributions. This Spotlight article is a celebration of their dedication and a recognition that our school thrives thanks to their efforts.
James Penstone
Secondary Principal