From the Director of Innovative Pedagogies

As we move forward with the Strategic Transformation Project at Blue Mountains Grammar School, I am convicted more and more that change, while sometimes unsettling, is essential for growth. In this spirit, I’ve found particular inspiration in Dr Henry Cloud’s book Necessary Endings, a resource that speaks powerfully to the process of transformation—not only in schools or leadership, but in any organisation or life stage seeking to flourish into its next chapter. In my opinion it extends out further into areas of personal lives – relationships, financial commitments and hobbies. Indeed, like me, you may have found there are some sports we need to let go of because bodies can no longer keep up.

Dr Cloud begins with a simple but compelling observation: “Life has seasons, stages, and phases. For there to be anything new, old things always have to end, and we have to let go of them.” In a school like ours, with such a rich history and a deep sense of tradition, it can be difficult to contemplate ending any program or practice that has served us well. But as Cloud writes, “Endings are a natural part of life,” and learning to recognise which things need to be allowed to conclude is one of the most important responsibilities of wise leadership.

Throughout the book, Cloud draws on the metaphor of gardening. A healthy plant must be pruned—some branches cut back so others can grow stronger. In the same way, schools and individuals must learn to prune areas that are no longer producing results, no longer align with vision, or are draining energy and resources that could be better used elsewhere. That is not to say this is easy or even desirable. Schools are unique organisations in that teachers put so much of themselves into their work, and in doing so are shaping students’ development. To end a particular initiative could be taken as ending or devaluing a person’s personality or damage their self-worth. 

Cloud’s pruning metaphor is precisely the posture we are adopting as we roll out the Strategic Transformation Project. In order to grow into the future we envision—where every student is equipped, every staff member empowered, and every aspect of our school operates with purpose and clarity—we must be prepared to make some necessary endings. 

Let me be clear: this does not mean we are throwing everything away. Much of what we do at Blue Mountains Grammar School is thriving, and much will remain. But as Dr Cloud reminds us, “Getting to the next level always requires ending something, leaving it behind, and moving on.” Some things come to a natural end; others may need to be brought to a deliberate close for the sake of something better. These decisions are not made lightly, but from a place of careful reflection and strategic foresight. We will include others in the decision making and share our reasoning for decisions we make. 

Endings can be difficult. There’s often a sense of loss, of uncertainty, or even guilt. Cloud acknowledges this emotional tension, but he also highlights the danger of avoiding necessary endings: stagnation, distraction, and missed opportunities. “Without the ability to end things,” he writes, “people stay stuck, never becoming who they are meant to be, never accomplishing all that their talents and abilities should afford them.” The same can be true for schools – we want to hang onto projects or ventures because they served us well at a point in time. However, with more and more opportunities available and more and more needs to meet, we must thoughtfully and carefully prune, lest we become bloated in what we take on; the result of which is simply doing many, many things poorly. 

When schools take on this pruning process it is to ensure every part of our school aligns with the mission, values, and vision for the future. Some programs may be retired, merged, or reimagined. Some processes may shift. All of this is part of a healthy pruning process. As Cloud says, “Pruning is a process of proactive endings.” We prune not because we have failed, but because we are growing—and because we are committed to stewarding our resources, energy, and attention towards what matters most.

One of the most impactful insights in Necessary Endings is this: “All of your precious resources—time, energy, talent, passion, money—should only go to the buds of your life or your business that are the best, are fixable, and are indispensable.” This challenges us to think carefully and courageously about how we use our time and energy—not just to maintain the status quo, but to cultivate a flourishing future.

At Blue Mountains Grammar School, we are choosing to embrace this challenge with confidence. Our heritage is strong. Our community is vibrant. And our vision is bold. But to realise that vision, we must be willing to release what no longer fits, so that we can fully invest in what will help us thrive.

We invite you, our families, staff, and wider community, to walk with us in this process. It is a season of growth—and growth requires change. Let us not fear the endings, but instead trust in their purpose. They are not the end of the story, but the beginning of a new and even more exciting chapter for our school.

As Dr Cloud writes, “Your next step always depends on two ingredients: how well you are maximising where you are right now and how ready you are to do what is necessary to get to the next place.” We are ready—and we’re glad to be on this journey with you.

Christopher Sanders

Director of Innovative Pedagogies