Half way through Term 2
This year seems to be zooming by and I sometimes need to stop and take stock of all the things that have been happening over the year. There have been lots of changes for me professionally, taking on a hugely rewarding and highly challenging role of Principal. There are also lots of changes afoot with my role in the community and the initiation of the Cromwell Master Plan project.
There is so much cross over in my professional and public roles both require making tough choices that aren't always popular choices, understanding of governance vs management and how these roles can easily be misunderstood. Both roles are linked to growing communities that want change managed sensitively and with careful planning. The need for strategic thinking and a community that has a sense of ownership is vital for the success of both along with a need for strong leadership capable of making tough decisions and standing by them when needed.
Many local government and school organisational structures are similar. The cyclic nature of consultation and review that provides the priorities for the short and long term spending and development are inherent in the way both work.
This week's Cromwell Community Board meeting heard submissions on the Long Term Plan. As you can see from the photo (credit to David George) it was a wee bit chilly in the Memorial Hall supper room for our meeting. CCB meetings have been moved to this space as growth in Cromwell has pushed us out of Council chambers in the mall as this space is needed for office space by the council. The submissions process is quite rigorous, we consider all submissions that relate to the delegations of the Cromwell Community Board. I enjoy hearing from submitters, there is often background and context provided for their thinking - so thank you to those people who were able to attend to speak to their submissions.
I was able to make it to the first of the Cromwell, Eye to the Future workshops for some of the day. Like everyone invited there is a juggle between work and the desire to be involved in the process and to catch the momentum of the conversations. Notice has been short and I was unable to release myself from my responsibilities at school to attend the next two that I was invited to with my Principal hat on. I know that education was represented at those meetings and that we will have further opportunities to be a part of the process. I urge everyone with an interest in developing the spatial plan for Cromwell to get along to the public drop-in sessions the first of which is happening today 10am-1pm at the Cromwell Library.
At school we are about to embark on our review of the Strategic Plan. In the background the 10 year property plan is being developed - it mirrors the council 10 year plan as it looks at our spending on our infrastructure with careful consideration made of priorities and funding constraints. Alongside that process the Goldfields Board of Trustees are meeting to consider 'The view from the helicopter' to start our strategic planning process before we start our community consultation phases that will shape the medium term strategic priorities for our school.
These are exciting processes to be involved in and should provide opportunities for genuine community consultation that shapes the direction we move in. It should also provide ownership of future plans that will drive them toward fruition.
So bring on the dialogue and discussion to move us forward.
There is so much cross over in my professional and public roles both require making tough choices that aren't always popular choices, understanding of governance vs management and how these roles can easily be misunderstood. Both roles are linked to growing communities that want change managed sensitively and with careful planning. The need for strategic thinking and a community that has a sense of ownership is vital for the success of both along with a need for strong leadership capable of making tough decisions and standing by them when needed.
Many local government and school organisational structures are similar. The cyclic nature of consultation and review that provides the priorities for the short and long term spending and development are inherent in the way both work.
This week's Cromwell Community Board meeting heard submissions on the Long Term Plan. As you can see from the photo (credit to David George) it was a wee bit chilly in the Memorial Hall supper room for our meeting. CCB meetings have been moved to this space as growth in Cromwell has pushed us out of Council chambers in the mall as this space is needed for office space by the council. The submissions process is quite rigorous, we consider all submissions that relate to the delegations of the Cromwell Community Board. I enjoy hearing from submitters, there is often background and context provided for their thinking - so thank you to those people who were able to attend to speak to their submissions.
I was able to make it to the first of the Cromwell, Eye to the Future workshops for some of the day. Like everyone invited there is a juggle between work and the desire to be involved in the process and to catch the momentum of the conversations. Notice has been short and I was unable to release myself from my responsibilities at school to attend the next two that I was invited to with my Principal hat on. I know that education was represented at those meetings and that we will have further opportunities to be a part of the process. I urge everyone with an interest in developing the spatial plan for Cromwell to get along to the public drop-in sessions the first of which is happening today 10am-1pm at the Cromwell Library.
These are exciting processes to be involved in and should provide opportunities for genuine community consultation that shapes the direction we move in. It should also provide ownership of future plans that will drive them toward fruition.
So bring on the dialogue and discussion to move us forward.
good luck and thank you
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