AS ALLAN MCLEOD, head of the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS), walked into the younger students' playground on the last day of the summer term, the response was instantaneous. He was mobbed by five- and six-year-olds calling out his name, requesting autographs for school yearbooks and asking questions about his departure. Mr McLeod, 62, was not just leaving for the holidays. It was the final day of school in an education career spanning 43 years.
The previous day, there had been an emotional farewell assembly. 'Quite wonderful,' Mr McLeod said. But to anyone from the 'fear and trembling age' of principals, the happy, impromptu playground reception seemed an equally fitting tribute to the quiet but deliberately spoken man who has spent the past six years helping to shape the school's direction.
That's not long as school stays go, but it is in keeping with his long-held belief - and education research to back it up, he said - that about six years is the right length to serve in a leadership role before it is time for fresh ideas.
CDNIS takes pupils from age four to 18. Mr McLeod spent his first two years as vice-principal of the middle and high school and next four as head of school. A major part of the legacy he has sought to leave is a strong sense of community and an environment where people care about each other.
Indeed, respect for students and by students is something that comes up many times as he talks about his years in education. It was something he worked at during his first job as a principal in 1973 at an inner city elementary school in Scarborough, Toronto. 'We couldn't change what was going on at home but could sure change what was going on for them during the day.' This was something he worked at in his last headship.
At CDNIS, he used a four-pronged approach to values: 'Respect and caring for self, respect and caring for others, developing a sense of belonging and developing a sense of social responsibility,' he said. 'Ask yourself, do you want to go into an office where no one is sensitive or respectful and where they don't treat each other well? Well, this is the children's workplace right now.'