From the Head of Boarding

Boarding is a complex environment and issues and bumps will occur from time to time. As I have found over my time working in boarding and as a Head of Boarding our capacity to communicate when we are dealing with complexity forms the respect and trust around how we operate. 

As our new team settles into their roles within boarding this term, as a team we are shifting our focus from understanding the roles in this space to being more effective in our roles within the environment here in Boarding at Great Southern Grammar. As all relationships go in life whether it be personal, family or friends, they require collaboration, work and effort; what was successful in one scenario may not apply to the next. 

I was reading an article recently around the importance of taking the perspective of others and how it is sometimes difficult to find solutions to problems that satisfy everyone involved.  The article suggests "a person must be able to hold all the opposing ideas, positions, and perspectives in mind at the same time and still function effectively. Successful problem-solving and conflict resolution depends on a person’s ability to take perspectives and understand how the conflict appears to the other person and how that person is reacting emotionally and attitudinally."

If I have one key takeaway from here it would be to not assume you have built a solid positive relationship until you have truly tested it against a complex issue. The age-old saying that ‘it is all going great until it is not’ is relevant here.

I have been involved with some of these conversations over this term and was reflecting on how some of our parents, students and staff have supported the notion of having opposing ideas, positions, and perspectives in mind when dealing with issues. This is pleasing to see from a Head of Boarding perspective and no doubt will shape how we move forward together on our boarding journey as we share responsibility for the duty of care and support for your child while they are learning. 

Please take care and be kind to each other over the Easter Break and we look forward to seeing you all for the start of Term Two.

Mr Ashley Keatch | Head of Boarding