Name: Richard Henry

Title: CEO & Executive Principal

Organisation: The Moreton Bay Colleges

Richard Henry is the CEO & Executive Principal of Moreton Bay Colleges. With a profound commitment to educational excellence, Richard has worked in education for 37 years, living on four continents.

Prior to his role at Moreton Bay Colleges, Richard held significant positions in several prestigious educational institutions. He began his career in both the state and independent sectors in Brisbane, then moved in 2000 to Global Jaya International School in Jakarta, Indonesia, where he worked for 11 years as both the Secondary School Principal and later the Head of School.

Richard then moved to The Hague, the Netherlands, working as the International Baccalaureate Head of School Services for Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. He then became the Head of Development and Recognition for the IB, advising and consulting government ministries and higher education institutions. In 2015, he moved to Washington, DC, USA, when promoted to the role of Global Director of IB School Services.

In 2017, Richard became the Head of School at GEMS World Academy (Singapore) and was the Regional Director for SE Asia, supporting schools in Malaysia and India. Richard holds a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, further solidifying his expertise in the field. His contributions to education have been widely recognized, earning him numerous accolades and establishing him as a respected figure in the educational community.

Thank you to the 2,000 leaders who’ve generously done the 7 Questions on Educational Leadership!

I hope Richard's answers will encourage you in your leadership journey. Enjoy!

Cheers,

Jonno White

1. What have you found most challenging as an Educational Leader?

Shifting the needle. Times have changed, and educational systems and practices must adapt so we can best prepare children for the future. Yet, our communities are resistant to change, which is completely understandable due to the fact that we are responsible for the most important people in our lives—children. We do not want to take risks with their lives, nor should we. But teaching and assessing in the same way that we have done for generations is not going to prepare them to be successful in a rapidly changing world.

2. How did you become an Educational Leader? Can you please briefly tell the story?

I began my tertiary studies in the sciences, but an opportunity afforded me training experience as a teacher. I loved it and never looked back. Since then, I have had wonderful opportunities to grow as an educational leader in many different settings. I've also had many opportunities to grow as a business leader, which is imperative in the educational landscape today.

3. How do you structure your work days from waking up to going to sleep?

The day starts by helping my daughter, Zoe, get ready for school (she is about to start year 1). Then coffee while I review the calendar with my Executive Assistant. Then the meetings begin. Though, as anyone who has worked in a school knows, every day is unpredictable, and you have to be ready to respond to any situation that arises.

4. What's a recent lesson you've learned for the first time or been reminded of as an Educational Leader?

It is incredibly important that leaders know and follow the phases for successful change management. Don't skip any steps, no matter how much or how quickly you want to see something change. Prepare, Plan, Implement, Embed, and Review. Then throughout the phases, communicate, communicate, and communicate. Someone told me once to get your message across, communicate seven times in seven different ways.

5. What's one book that has had a profound impact on your journey as an Educational Leader so far? Can you please briefly tell the story of how that book impacted you?

The Tao of Pooh. Benjamin Hoff uses Winnie the Pooh to demonstrate the principles of Taoism. My biggest takeaway from this book has stuck with me for many years. That is, the idea of Wu Wei. This is the concept of being like water, not a rock. It is important to remind ourselves that we should be like water, which flows smoothly and naturally around rocks instead of trying to force its way over them.

6. If you could only give one piece of advice to a young educator who aspires to be an Educational Leader, what would you say to them?

My one piece of advice has always been the same. That is, to be true to who you are and live by your core values and beliefs. If you try to fake anything, people will see through you, and you will lose their trust. Trust is everything.

7. What is one meaningful story that comes to mind from your time as an Educational Leader, so far?

There are so many stories. I have been very fortunate in my career to have had so many wonderful opportunities. When I meet past students who remember something I said to them over 20 years ago, it is a stark reminder that as educators, we have a privileged role in society. We can make a significant impact on the life of a child, whether that be positive or negative.

This is an incredibly important responsibility. But my most recent experience was when I was reading a book to the prep students, and one of them asked, "Are you the big boss of the school?" and before I could answer, another child said, "No, he's Zoe's dad." Children have a way of reminding us what is important in life.