NPQH - First face-to-face session!

Thursday 21st March – First face to face session!     

Where to start - what a day!

Today was my first face-to-face NPQH session; it was bursting with information and learning opportunities. Across the day there were lots of different emotions: excitement (to meet colleagues, get started on the journey), trepidation (giving a presentation to strangers) and relief (finding out everyone was very supportive)!

After a tiring day (mentally and a busy tube journey to Angel!), I reflect on what I will take away from this session: a number of key messages from a thoughtful presentation on the joys & challenges of headship, a better understanding of the research behind developing strategic projects and the opportunity to reflect on my own development to name just a few. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sally and Lydon, our trainers, for sharing their personal and professional insight into headship and for their support, enthusiasm and humour during the day.

On reflection, I feel the most valuable things I have gained today are the links and contacts I have created with my peers. I feel the best experience about the face-to-face session was meeting colleagues also starting their NPQH journey; to share our emotions and thoughts about the experience and celebrate & compare our experiences in the profession so far. It was reassuring to begin to form peer networks to support, encourage and challenge each other going forward.

I have also taken away a substantial to-do list!!!!!! But on a positive note, this to-do list is because I am now clearer about my projects and keen to get started.