Acting Principal's Report 

The happiest people spend much time in a state of flow – the state in which people are so involved in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; the experience itself is so enjoyable that people will do it even at great cost, for the sheer sake of doing it. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Just prior to the Term Two holidays, Debby Chaves told the Principal Team about a book she was reading, 'Stolen Focus' by Johan Hari. Hari’s book investigates the crisis of focus that is confronting the world, to understand what the causes – and cures – might be. Debby was particularly animated by Hari’s discussion of the work by psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, on the state of flow and its relationship to our happiness, creativity, and fulfillment. Mihaly’s work has been very influential in the design of the Beaumaris Secondary College teaching and learning model.

Hari’s hypothesis is that, in our contemporary world, our ability to enter a state of flow is blocked by a crisis in paying attention, by our ability to focus being stolen from us. In not being able to focus and access this state of flow as readily as before, our happiness, creativity and fulfillment risk being restricted. Stolen Focus explores this idea, and identifies the reasons why. It is a fascinating read and it is clear, in Hari’s telling, that this is an issue that has global implications and needs global solutions.

However, there are some actions we can take individually. Hari ends his book with six changes he made to his life to regain focus. Some of these are not as possible for others as they were for him, however they do point to actions we can all take to rebuild our focus and attention:

1. Making a pre-commitment to stop switching tasks so much. Locking his phone away for set periods of time, and using programs to restrict his internet access, Hari removed distractions, if only for a short period, and created the environment for flow.
2. Instead of criticising himself for giving in to distraction, or telling himself he was lazy, Hari reframed the internal dialogue to ask himself: What is something meaningful that I could do now? Something that challenges and absorbs me? Seeking out flow is far more effective than self-punishing shame.
3. Taking six months of the year totally off social media (in chunks, usually a couple of months at a time). For us, why not days (or evenings, or weekends!) totally free of social media?
4. Realising that letting your mind wander is not a crumbling of attention, but rather a crucial way for it to think over the past, game out the future, and make connections between different things you have learned. In doing something active every day without his phone, Hari’s mind was given space to roam, his thinking became sharper, and he had better ideas.
5. Sleep is not a luxury. And giving yourself a break from screens before bed helps the mind unwind before sleep.
6. Allowing space in our days for unplanned activities, and spontaneous free-time with family and friends

Over the last week at school, there are three examples that stand out to me of students and staff seeking out and entering a state of flow.

The college production of 'High School Musical' was absolutely spectacular! Our talented and hard-working students performed four brilliant shows in front of packed, rapt, audiences, supported by enthusiastic and dedicated staff. The story of HSM reminds us that there are so many different ways for young people to be their best selves at school, and the performance emphasised the power of flow, with our performers and audience totally absorbed and joy-filled.

The fantastic Athletics Carnival on Monday showcased the athletic talents of so many of our students, and the fun to be had in participating in something physical and active. The sense of House team was strong and, dare I say it, students in each House knew that they were all in this together!

And last week our VCE Visual Communication and Design Units 3 & 4 students presented their design portfolios. I was privileged to see some presentations, and the talent, focus, attention to detail, and hard work on display was inspiring.

I am reminded of a couple of other Mihaly quotes:

Happiness does not simply happen to us. It’s something that we make happen.

and

It is essential to learn to enjoy life. It really does not make sense to go through the motions of existence if one does not appreciate as much of it as possible.

This term at Beaumaris has offered many opportunities for our young people, and having only reached the halfway mark of the year, there are many more to come.

Debby Chaves has returned from leave this week, and so this is the final Acting Principal report from me. While very happy to have Debby back, I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work in a different way with our fabulous college community, and I thank everyone for your support.

Stephen Bourbon

Acting Principal