Cranbourne Campus News

Adaptability

In an article published in the Harvard Business Review in 2011 ("Managing uncertainty.... Adaptability: The new competitive edge"), authors Reeves and Deimier use a number of business related examples to prove, as the title suggests, that the ability to adapt to uncertain times and unpredictable change is what sets organisations apart ensuring some grow while others flounder. 

In their article they suggest that "those (organisations) that thrive are quick to read and act on signals of change" and that "Instead of being really good at doing some particular thing, organisations must be really good at learning how to do new things." Now I cannot imagine that Reeves and Deimier would have ever dreamt that the uncertainty that needed to be managed would be an insidious global pandemic and the conditions of lockdown and remote schooling but alas their message of the absolute centrality of skills of adaptability today, could never be more important. 

School staff adapting to new processes for cleaning and maintenance, school leaders adapting to new ways to focus and lead a shared vision for the College, teachers adapting to new ways to engage and educate young people and young people adapting to a school year and learning environment like no other. Uncertain times and the opportunity to adapt is around us all in 2020 and as Reeves and Demier stated nearly 10 years ago, those who thrive will be the ones who do not wallow in 'what was' nor 'what might have been' but rather they accept that which they cannot control, and read and act on the signals of change, quickly. 

As we embark upon a new experience of Remote Schooling for Yr 7-10 and Face to Face teaching for senior students, and as we consider pathway and subject selection options through our Future's Expo and Subject Selection process, we are reminded that this is an excellent time to develop that essential skill of adaptability. To adapt in this 21st century will ensure that, as members of the St. Peter's community, we thrive, which will give each of us a competitive edge into all challenges and times of uncertainty that we will face in our lives. In our first experience of remote schooling at St. Peter's College the students, families and staff of St. Peter's College showed the way in how to adapt to make the best of hard times. This gives us confidence that we can again meet the challenge by continuing to adapt to the uncertainty ahead.

Mr Jeremy Wright

Deputy Principal - Head of Cranbourne Campus