Thanks for the comments. I've been in touch with Peter and I know he agrees. I'm not denying that the job is rewarding at all otherwise I wouldn't do it but the article does paint a picture that if I changed my mindset things would be better. The problem is that this feeds a particular narrative from a cohort of our profession and keeps the divide and conquer strategy going.

It's a change to read a principal's personal story which provides balance between their daily struggles with workload but also focuses on the fantastic and rewarding work that they do?

It's easy to look back with rosy memories when retired. Those struggling with the job today are the ones who need to be listened to and published.

Rose-tinted glasses for sure - looking at cows and a coffee???!! I would not liked to have worked with someone who would dismiss the very real stresses staff are under - especially the positive, hard working principals out there.

Easy to sprout rubbish when it doesn't impact on him anymore

I agree wholehearedly, I was incensed when I read this,,... I am one of those who had to leave,....

Think the headline is misleading somewhat. He mentions agreeing with priposals by the IPPN, INTO and NPF. I think he's trying to highlight the positives aspects of this career as it rarely gets highlighted anymore. Maybe this time next year I'll have a different outlook!!

I found this article very very misguided. The principals who have been brave ebough to speak out about the chronic workload and ensuing health and wellbeing issues have always lauded their schools and been highly aware that ours is a privilged position. But it is also a very vulnerable and lonely position where stress and burnout lurk daily. This is not down to having a positive or negative outlook, it is down to our exploitative work terms and conditions. No amount of coffee sipping whilst fawning over cows is going to change that - proactive lobbying for meaningful change may however. The mindset of the author of this piece exemplifies the fossilised attitudes we have to contend with while trying to affect change to protect not only our health and wellbeing but the integrity of our education system.

Really surprised at the undertone in this which seems to have escaped some of the readers...and, perhaps, the writer. It is not too long since Peter retired so his memories should still be focused and sharp. He needs to visit some schools with Teaching Principals to realise that very few of us have time to look at the cows and that grabbing a coffee is definitely a perk of the job. Pressure is increasing on schools every year with the DES making more demands on our time. Many of us still enjoy the job to a degree but job satisfaction is close to zero as we realise how much has to be done at the end of every day. There really must be a case for allowing TP additional years service for every x amount of years served because it does take its toll.

Carol Govett x