Cutbacks and metaphors

The immanent cutbacks to education in Tasmania will create complex and unfamiliar conditions. It will not be possible to analyse all the detail in order to 'calculate' the needs and outcomes. Indeed most of the phenomena involved are emergent anyhow and so cannot be predicted.

So how do people cope with these kinds of situations? One way is to understand the situation is to find suitable metaphors. So in this challenging situation, should one

• Batten down the hatches so that we don't sink (we focus on our prime objectives)
• Turn out the stock (so that they can find resources that are not provided by the "farmer")
• Change the system (so that it works well in the new conditions)
• Polish the fruit (so that others don't are not distracted by the flaws)
• Develop the school as a network rather than a production line (so that resources can flow more easily to where they are needed)
• ...????

On the basis that "either-or" questions are usually wrong, the best response will probably be a combination of all the above and whatever you choose as your working metaphors.

Perhaps the most important metaphor is the Holy Grail as understood in the story of the Fisher King. The Fisher King is a local lord who has been wounded in battle (the cutbacks will "wound" schools). He goes to Merlin the wizard and asks what what he must do to be healed. Merlin replies:

• "You must find the Holy Grail and ask: Whom does it serve?"

Good advice. Finding your Holy Grail, and asking the question to confirm that you have really found it will serve you well, and it will enable you to serve those with whom you work.

See also the story of the Chinese Farmer

[Note: For me, the Holy Grail of schools is the everyday success of staff and students working together]