From the Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

I have never seen my role as a school leader as simply walking around to ensure everyone is in their classrooms or offices. On any given day, students monitor their behaviour, and staff prepare lessons knowing how each student learns. High levels of trust foster an environment where everyone, from staff to students, can grow in their unique capacities.

Like most schools, Blue Mountains Grammar School is an intriguing microcosm of society. At its heart, it's about nurturing the essence of humanity in its most formative years. Although some systems seem impersonal, our school's primary goal is to help the members flourish within a caring community. It takes a variety of professionals – from artists and athletes to linguists and accountants – to cultivate a culture that paves the way for our students and staff to make meaningful contributions.

How do we motivate our educators and staff to give their best? In his insightful book Drive, Daniel Pink shares that it isn't just about traditional rewards or job security. We're now in an era where knowledge is paramount, reshaping our motivations. Pink emphasises that the crux of high performance and satisfaction, whether at work, school, or home, lies in our intrinsic desire to steer our lives, learn, and contribute positively to the world beyond ourselves.

So, what does this mean for our educators, staff, and the broader school community? It means that our school is not about micromanagement. It's about granting intellectual and emotional freedom for our team to showcase their passion. It's about aligning everyone's unique skills and passions with the school's values and vision.

After many years on the job, I have found that leading a school is a delicate balance of simplicity and complexity. A significant challenge is setting clear expectations for our team in a way that frees and values their distinctive contributions. By doing so, we empower them to craft their unique legacies. Have you noticed terms like 'creative thinking' or 'future-focused' in our school's role descriptions? These aren't just buzzwords – they invite our staff to harness their strengths to enhance our school's ethos.

What this translates to in our school setting is straightforward. Firstly, we respect autonomy. Through goal setting, our staff choose a focus that resonates with their passions. Once we understand their direction, we stand back and trust in their capabilities. We avoid constant check-ins, believing that when they're driven by intrinsically, they'll keep us informed. Secondly, we push for excellence. By encouraging mastery in their chosen domains, they take pride and ownership. Finally, we promote purpose. We aim to cultivate a sense of purpose that transcends the school walls, making ripples into the broader community.

Building a school culture that emphasises proactive and positive motivation is crucial. We must view our staff as unique individuals and offer them creative freedom. This entails engaging, motivating, and overseeing without stifling their aspirations. We want our entire school to recognise that celebrating ideas and accomplishments isn't limited to a select few – it's woven into our very identity.

Junior School Awards Assembly

Getting along to the Junior School Awards Assembly was a pleasure this week. Having the opportunity to be present as the efforts, kindness and rewards for hard work are recognised is a highlight of my week. The awards were varied, from showing care to a friend to hanging in there while learning got difficult; they were recognised and called out. I was so proud of our students - those who received their awards for achieving something worthwhile and those who did not for showing appreciation for their friends and peers. Our Junior School is such a beautiful community. 

Whole School Concert 

I want to bring to your attention the Whole School Concert, which will be held on Friday, 18th August at 6:00pm in Cuff Hall. Our community greatly supports our events, so I encourage you again to come along. And I will give you a challenge - try not to smile. I wonder if you will succeed.

Year 12 Trial Exams 

Over the past two weeks, our Year 12 students have undertaken their Trial HSC exams. These are the last significant examinations for our students, and many have worked tirelessly to do their best. There are six weeks left of this term with plenty of events that will celebrate 14 years of school for these students, but I encourage those who are affected to remain to stay focused and finish strongly. 

I hope that the coming week is a good one for you all. 

Steven Coote 

Principal