PROWLING PRINCIPALS

by Goolbai Gunasekera

As this title implies, a prowl is suggestive of a pounce and few Principals would regard that daily walk round the school in that light. However, it often happens that unexpected doings do come to light and a Principal can become extremely well informed while on her daily ‘prowl.’

A supervisory walk is essential for any Principal. In fact I cannot think of any successful CEO of any company ( or any school principal ) who does not regularly check on work being done by the employees of that company be it a business, a factory, a hotel, a restaurant or a school.

When International Schools were in their infancy the Principal and Founder of Gateway Colleges, Mr. Ralph Alles and I would chat once a week if not more often. We had similar ideas and similar aims but we would both be careful to avoid certain times of the day because we knew the other would be ‘on the prowl’ as our teachers and students inelegantly phrased that supervisory and highly unpopular necessity.

So why do Principals spend so much time out of office checking on everything? Let me list just a few of the dozens of things that are being overlooked:

1. Are teachers going to class on time?

2. Is there an air of quietness in general?

3. Are children making the transfer from class to class in order and in a line?

Are bathrooms clean? (between me and the cleaner a daily battle is normal)

4. Are teachers ensuring their work is prepared and that the class is well behaved?

5. Are teachers making full use of the whole [period and not trailing off ten minutes before the bell or else doing the opposite and not completing the topic of the day in time.

6. Are older children with free periods making use of them studying in the Library? (Expecting that happy little state is optimistic).

7. Is the Library absolutely quiet with books all in place, magazines neatly on racks and students with their noses buried deep in reference books?

8. Are all new books catalogued ? ( And while the Principal is on the spot he/she can go over new text book lists and other matters with the Librarian.)

9. Are all kids conforming to the uniform code? (At least three older boys per day are not shaved and look like Che Guevara acolytes.)

10. How many kids are caught cutting class and having a happy little period playing hooky in an unoccupied class or rarely used corridors?

Now that I am retired, teachers are relaxed when I am around. (I remain a Director of the school and habits of prowling die hard.) One of them recently told me, “You know Mrs. G. seeing you walk down the corridors on my floor was my worst nightmare.” I was a trifle surprised.

“But why? I was generally polite was I not?”

She shuddered at the memory. “It was what you were going to say afterwards that PULVERIZED us before it was said. In fact,” she continued, “we always thought that the heroine in `The Devil Wears Prada’ was rather like you.”

“Well Meryl Streep looked stunning so thank you.” The response was “I wasn’t meaning her looks.” (I knew THAT).

In case I give the impression that 1 Principals act mainly as sleuths such is not the case. Principals come across a great deal of wonderful work done by excellent teachers. The creativity that is shown by many is quite awesome. For instance I was stopped in my tracks one morning by the Grade 8 class doing a scene from `A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’ with their innovative English Literature teacher switching roles round. The whole class had virtually memorized the parts and were eager to show off their skills. It was a happy half hour for me. Praising the staff while ‘on the prowl’ is a plus point of being a Principal.

International School children are not laid back. They say nice things as they pass and while they know rudeness is not tolerated they also know that self-expression is encouraged.

“Posh bag Miss,” a Prefect said to me upon seeing my new briefcase as I got out of the car one morning.

“Thank you.”

It’s not a cheap copy is it Miss?” “I don’t think so,”

“May I look?”

“Certainly,”

He examined the lock and the hinges.

“Nope. It’s OK. There are lots of copies on the Pettah pavements which will not last you know.”

“Of course I know.” Guiltily did not tell him that I had indeed looked at the cheaper and more glamorous cases but common sense prevailed.

Then there is the prowl that takes the Principal round the Sports grounds. Kids are can be enchanting specially if one is walking round the Junior section. Children of about ages six to are 10 generally amenable to discipline in school .They are neat, sweet and bright – yes even the boys. It’s when they reach the Middle School that the daily walk of mine is vital.

“Where is your belt?” I ask a young grade 7 boy. “I lost it in a bet yesterday Miss.”

“So get a new one,”

It’s the fourth I have lost Mrs. G,”

“How on earth ?”

” They are betting on the National Cricket Matches Madam,” says the Sports Instructor putting in his oar. I am outraged,

“Stop betting at once,”I I tell the class, ” and Rimu. , get a belt by tomorrow.”

The next day I stroll by the Grade 7 classes . Rimu is wearing a belt.

“So you confessed to your Mom did you?”

“No Miss,” he grinned, “I stole this from my father.”

Undoubtedly that daily walk is an absolute must for Principals who are truly interested in what goes on under their area of influence. Mr. Alles and I agreed on most things but never more strongly than the vital necessity of a Principal’s hand being laid on all the affairs of a school.