Most aspiring Principals, while serving their apprenticeship in one-teacher schools, frequently came in contact with Principals of much larger schools. While seeking advice on how to deal with a difficult pupil, the advice sometimes finished with a salving comment, “Never mind, young-un. When you’re in charge of a school like mine, the problems change from one of pupils to one of teachers.” The Young-un’s mind boggled at the prospect of such a challenge, but the prescient advice was no deterrent. About the time, circa 1970, that the name of ‘Head Teacher’ changed to that of ‘Principal’ there was some casual questioning of the change and a search for meaning. In Queensland, the Primary Principals changed the name to claim equity of salary levels, but, from a heuristic point of view, some expressed the notion that ‘Head Teacher’ was a more professional description because it emphasised the role more adequately. Some others held a neutral position like the Sentimental Bloke, and asked, “Wot’s in a name?”
The case, for ‘Principal’, however, was overwhelming. It would mean a more equitable salary; it was a common term for all people in charge of schools in the USA, from whence came the most popular literature of the period; and the term was being used widely in other states. It meant first, highest, foremost, and important. As a title, it won.
During this same period, many of the outmoded routine requirements of school management changed. Some forms, like the Religious Instruction and Arbor Day returns were no longer required; and the time-book, to record the entry and exit of teachers at the school, disappeared.
Many were finding difficulty in adjusting to such changes, so Ray expressed their point of view.
One of the Old School
[Tune: "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean"]
I once was a lowly head teacher
Who followed where higher-ups led,
A humble and diffident creature
Far more of a teacher than head.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back the bygone to me, to me,
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back the bygone to me!
I used to sign on in the Time Book
By strict regulation and rule -
The Proof-I’m-Not-Guilty-of-Crime book
That often told tales out of school.
But now I’ve a title in Latin -
I answer the PRINCIPAL’S call;
I looked up an Oxford with that in
And found I’m the first of them all.
You don’t hear me shouting out Bravo!
To know I’m the first, any more -
For when it comes three in the arvo
My staff are the first through the door.
The Time Book, old source of annoyance,
Is gone, and will nevermore jar …..
I’ve had to develop clairvoyance
To know where my darned teachers are.
The freedom for which heads have striven
Should make me feel happy, I know…..
It’s just a bit awkward they’ve given
The same thing to those down below.
Bring back, bring back,
Bring back the bygone to me, to me,
Bring back, bring back,
O bring back the bygone to me!
