The group will provide a place to de-brief with colleagues who understand you without explanation, where you can discuss your concerns in a confidential manner and leave with a clear plan of action. The group will enable you to develop skills as a reflective practitioner and establish an effective means of self-care.

Principals are obliged to attend many meetings for which they must spend time and effort in preparation. Most meetings produce work for the Principal afterwards. However, Support Group meetings are not like other meetings. The Principal can expect support, collegiality, dialogue and empathy from fellow Principals within the group. You come away from Support Group meetings enriched and encouraged. Support Groups break the isolation that can be part of the role of the Principal and in addition, members often support each other between meetings. Many professions successfully follow this method of professional support among their members.

The face-to-face meetings will be facilitated by a trained facilitator, who has been trained as part of the IPPN/ESCI Local Support Group Project. New members, from near and far, including deputy principals, are most welcome to join us.