Been thinking about finding something that will take me off thinking too much about school, leadership and masters level learning.
I decided that crochet could be for me. My mum has been crocheting since I was 7… four decades of watching her would clearly make me an expert.. right?
Actually no!
A lot like leadership, crochet is not easy to pick up.
I’ve watched many leaders get it right and a few get it disastrously wrong. You can watch someone lead a school for years and still not have a clue.
I was really really bad at crochet at the start.
My first attempt at crochet 🧶 resulted in a tiny wonky piece of a blanket. It didn’t grow much despite having a big hook and thin wool. And there were definite holes… not on purpose holes either…
My first term as a head was a big bit like that. It almost looked the part but I was using someone else’s materials and instructions. There were definite gaps in my knowledge and practice. I couldn’t get things to just ‘work’ as easily as I had seen others manage.
So I started again and looked to others for help. In leadership I needed someone who would go at my pace but already an expert. She has been quietly letting me go my own way but is there if I need a hand or advice.
For crochet I chose a thicker wool and this time got the stitch right. I watched a few more YouTube videos… The piece began to look like it will become something if I keep going. That’s the thing – I can’t stop or give in now. Much like leading the team.
And I’m taking rests. Carrying on regardless doesn’t work in crochet or leadership. You go over things and over things and they just don’t get resolved. They sometimes end up in a terrible tangled mess. Best to remember is that underneath it all is the foundation of a basic stitch or core values. And you need to revisit these in lots of situations.
Every difficult situation needs a different approach – much like a chunky blanket needs different wool to an egg cosy.
Each row of the piece is a bit like each week in school. Some weeks are simpler than others. But every week I have to move on / move onto a new row and start anew. What is being created is either a lovely crochet square or another week of supporting and helping others as well as, personal knowing, experience and accomplishment.
Sometimes the crochet square looks lopsided or full of holes. I have to sit back and work out how to get it back in shape. That’s what it’s like in school when staffing goes a bit wonky… all of us in education right now know what that’s like.
Sometimes the learning is off… and again we have to remember how to get back on track.
And yet the job still gets done and the row gets finished. Those little holes tell of past challenges and how we overcame them with perseverance and resilience, much like the ups and downs of each school week. The term always finishes.
And each term finishing is like completing a crochet square. We start anew next term, or on a new square, but this time with more skill, knowledge and determination. And all the whole adding to our toolbox of skills; trying new approaches, stitches or sometimes trying a new item or project altogether.
For me crochet, like my headteacher journey, has been hard to start, tricky to learn despite my prior knowledge, and needed me to take the tools and make them my own.
Looking at progress at key stopping or starting points let’s me see how far we’ve come. Almost unbeknownst to me, I am starting to feel part of the school team, like successfully crocheting a new blanket.
It might not be perfect but it’s done and tomorrow at the start of term, I can start again. This time with the skills and knowledge that things get better with practise, time, reflection and determination.
And my next crochet goal might be a hat… fabulous for playtime duty in the cold January temperatures!
The Enquiring Head Teacher 