Nervous tension, man's invention (The Kinks)

First day nerves. Everybody has them to a degree.

It's probably when my mother's advice is most relevant.

Deep breath. Pin your ears back.

If you hear as the warm night falls the silver sound from a time so strange, sing to me, sing to me (Pink Floyd)

My self-imposed blogging deadlines have survived international travel/out of whack datelines and a busy life in the Hawke's Bay, but moving house and starting a new job in Maungaturoto this week have crushed those blogging deadlines.

But, sigh of relief - normal service is now resumed!

Moving to the Westmount organisation has confirmed again my belief that, wherever I go, there are great people in education.

This week started with a two day induction/orientation in Auckland with all the other new staff and all the other campus Principals - an amazingly talented bunch of people! My old friend the Sloan Ranger (a.k.a Brett) was also in attendance.

It was a great positive start to my Westmount years! 

And kick starting my career as Principal again has confirmed what my Reflect and Review goal indicated last year at Woodford House - educational leadership is where I belong.

Put it in your heart where tomorrow shines (REM)

A recent post on my Wozza's Place blog covered my time in Al Ain (in the UAE). It was a special time, in a special place, with special people.

And it never would have happened if I hadn't taken a leap of faith at the end of 2009 and joined the Cognition Education organisation, after resigning from my Principal job.

As I've done the same thing at the end of 2016, and about to start with the Westmount organisation, I was reflecting on this as I wrote that post. 

I have a good feeling about the move. Already I have been impressed by the communication I've had from my colleagues within Westmount.

I loved teaching at Woodford House with some special people and, of course, I'll miss them, like I miss my friends in Al Ain but whenever I'm on the move, the Wozza's Place chapter is called Rambling Man for a reason, and starting at new places, I've always found amazing, passionate people working in education.

It's who we are.

And taking a leap of faith from time to time, is who I am.

They circled around me, natives in a ring, and I saw their souls a-withering like snakes in chains (Patti Smith)

As I was standing in the lengthy queue to see The Walking Dead tour at Universal Studios this week, I had time to ponder on the idea of expectation.

We were in L.A. on the way home to NZ after our holiday in London. I'd read the brochure on The Walking Dead tour before we headed into it but it was all suitably vague and I really had no idea what to expect.

I like this state of being. All things are possible.

We went into a wonderfully dressed dilapidated hospital set. 

Modern queueing is all about being roped into a mazey set of lines. I marvelled at the set - fake blood on walls and floor, sparking lights in a sequence of busted ceiling panels. 

I thought about our new life in 2017  - starting a new job as Principal at Westmount Kaipara campus, moving to a new house in Maungaturoto - and the air was suddenly full of expectation and possibilities.

We eventually experienced the tour - it's hard to explain the sensory experience but so brilliantly simple in its execution (pardon the pun) as frightful zombies emerge from the shadows in the twisting corridors of the 'hospital'.

It was mind blowingly effective and totally exceeded my expectations  My pulse was racing and my legs were jelly by the end and I felt completely alive!

I'm looking forward to 2017 - it's a sea of possibilities!!

We don't need no thought control (Pink Floyd)

I'm on holiday in London right now but I just watched a couple of Seth Godin's TED talks and my mind is back on school. 

In a good way.

Teachers never really turn it off. We're magpies, collecting bits and pieces that may be useful.

Well, these two talks were great! I urge you to take some timeout and have a go at them. 

You won't be disappointed.