As an educationalist, one of my favourite quotations about school leadership was provided by Thomas Sergiovanni when he stated that “Running a school is like trying to get a giant amoeba to move from one side of the street to another. As the “glob” slips off the curb onto the street and begins its meandering journey, the job of the leader is to figure how to keep it together, while trying to move it in the general direction of the other side. This involves pulling here, pushing there, supporting thin parts and breaking up logjams.”
This statement reflects the reality that in school life there are many times that things do not go as planned, there are occasions when the school community must edge a potential solution over the line while on other days, a new trajectory has to be plotted entirely so that at all times the needs of all the children are met more effectively or efficiently.
Sergiovanni’s views on school leadership are equally true of family or community life. During life everyone is met with different joys, successes, challenges and tribulations. Poverty, bereavement, divorce, addiction, disappointment, loneliness, emigration can all come knocking at individual or community doors.
In the present age, we are witnessing wars, earthquakes, famine, floods as well as the incessant noise and distraction of social media. All of which challenge our peace, our empathy and our balance. As adults, if these things challenge us, how much more do they challenge the youth in our world?
With this reality obvious to all, what should our response by as Catholics and as Christians?
Very simply it should be to travel to the well of faith and as much as any human can, adhere to the consistent message of Christ…”Love one another as I have loved you.” It is only through loving one another, recognising the divine in each and every one of our neighbours and accepting the dignity of all can we secure the communion of man. A response that goes against the laws of God increases the division of man and leads all of us into a place that serves none of us well.
So, as we all strive to get our own amoebas safely to the other side of the road, may the well of faith fill you up and the love of Christ shine through your every action.
Garry Matthewson is Principal of Holy Family Primary School, Derry
