Humility

Tall Poppy Syndrome is a strong undercurrent of Australian culture.   We don't like our heroes and celebrities getting 'ahead of themselves' and starting to 'drink their own bathwater'.  We like people to be humble!

What is Humility?   Is it false modesty or self-deprecation? Is it avoiding the spotlight even though you know you have the skills and qualities required?

Christian humility requires a strong sense of self, and the greater the humility, the stronger the sense of self. If you have no great respect for your gifts, undersell or diminish these gifts you are not being humble, you are in fact not being of 'service' or at least lessening the service you potentially have to offer. If we are truly taking up the call to 'serve' our communities we need to have a strong sense of self and where strengths are and support from others is needed.

Drasko in a reflection with  T.C.E.O. staff at the start of this year talked about humility as 'down to earth honesty'. Drasko from a Benedictine monastic tradition highlighted the importance of humility but not in the populist culture definition, rather our Christian tradition.

In a 2016 College of Charleston survey, 56% of 5th and 6th graders said that the humble are embarrassed, sad, lonely or shy. When adults are asked to recount an experience of humility, they often tell a story about a time when they were publicly humiliated.  We need to change this understanding of humility for our young people.  We cannot have this developing attitude for young people moving into adulthood.  We need to challenge our views, attitudes and wrong interpretation of the true concept of humility.

True humility, scientists have learned, is when someone has an accurate assessment of both there strengths and weaknesses, and he sees all this in the context of the larger whole. They are part of something far greater than them.  Grounded and liberated in this knowledge, they recognize abilities and ways they can contribute. Humility is recognizing flaws and asking ourselves how we can grow.

Studies have shown that those low in humility overreact during conflicts,  find it difficult to accept responsibility rather be 'blamers not claimers'.  Humility is social and about building connections. They understand it doesn't weaken their leadership, in fact, it enhances the culture of leadership, relationship and collaboration in the communities they are leading in.

Another lesson learned from the research: both arrogance and humility are contagious. Both can be taught and caught.

When our leaders act arrogantly–when they dismiss the value of learning and development, when they only pay attention to information that confirms their views, when they refuse to apologize–they encourage us to think narrowly. They teach us that the most important thing we need do is protect our ego. They encourage us to be selfish. When leaders are humble and focus on growth, so do we.

It isn’t empty false praise, inflated self-esteem or tearing others down that pushes us to work to become our best selves. It’s humility.

As staff in our schools, teachers, TCEO regional staff, and Principals where is your Humility of Leadership?  Where is it alive?  Where does it need energizing?

Foyer Entry to SOTS Georgetown:

Student Free Days:
Just confirming the following dates for SFD's in our Region:
24th March - St. Anthony's, OLOM Deloraine, Larmenier
3rd April - STM, SHS and SFB in L'ton as well as SOTS Georgetown.
Please, Principals, let me know the focus of your day once finalized - I will share this information as part of reporting updates for leadership team as well as TCEC and Systemic Governing Council.

Assistant Director next two weeks:
Regional office staff now have access to seeing my calendar, which will be hopefully helpful when coordinating visits with schools.
Have asked Tracie to show in calendar travel times - you at least know if in the car and you want to discuss something more likely you can reach me first time if ringing.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
13 Feb	14 Feb	15 Feb	16 Feb	17 Feb
10 am St Patrick’s – Latrobe 1 pm Tenison Woods Centre 3 pm Travel to West Coast	8:30 am St Joseph’s Q’town 1 pm Travel to Launceston	10:30 am Leadership Meeting – Hobart 2:30 pm St Thomas More’s	8 am Sacred Heart – Launceston 1 pm Leadership Meeting - Hobart	8:30 am Leadership Meeting - Hobart 1:30 pm Travel Launceston
20 Feb	21 Feb	22 Feb	23 Feb	24 Feb
D’Arcy Centre	8:30 am Leadership Meeting 3:30 pm St Cuthbert’s	9 am St Cuthbert’s 10 am Meeting in D’Arcy Centre	9 am Star of the Sea College 1pm St Finn Barr’s	9 am Our Lady of Lourdes 1pm St Patrick’s - Latrobe

Catholic Education Week:

• Please note that while we are not having TCEC Award Ceremonies and gatherings after school this year, we will still have the BBQ for students at the conclusion of the Mass at Marist: Burnie and STM: Newstead.
• 25-year Awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Mass.
• This means if staff are receiving an Award they will need to be released from school roles that day for the Mass - and any friends, family wanting to be there to celebrate to come to the Mass also.

CETKP; Important Update for Principals, Staff:

• Andrew Goelst emailed  memo to all schools around:
• Student Minor Incident reporting using CETKP for immediate future is not compulsory for schools - just discretionary.
• Listening to feedback from schools there are some things we need to sort out in how we can manage this recording of incidents in a way that supports schools and staff use of time.

Around our Schools:
Work completed during the holidays at SOTS Georgetown:

OLOL Devonport:
Principal Clynton Scharvi, barracks for West Coast, married with three beautiful children and enjoys time spent in the garden.

STM Newstead:

Larmenier:
"..On The Farm Thank you to all the families who billeted our pets for the holidays. Looking at pictures shared on the Larmenier Parents Facebook site, they have really enjoyed their holidays. There were also some surprises and some sadness. Firstly, Peta, the rabbit had to be euthanized when she developed a serious ailment. Peta was a lovely friendly rabbit. Many will recall her popularity at the school fair last year. We also welcome three newborn Guinea Pigs. Mum and babies going well. Our goats started having 'kids' mid-January, a whole month earlier than was expected. We so far have ten kids on the bottle ready for our school children to look after before they are sold. At least one doe is yet to give birth. Our pigs gave birth in November. Unfortunately, a week after their weaning in mid-January, four of our school piglets were stolen from their paddock. After a public request for their return, one was given back. Three remain missing and the police are investigating..."  Ted Sherrin