My blog from Houston, Texas. Updated most weeks, usually on Sundays.
I will miss the rule that allows drivers to turn right (with care) at any red traffic light, and I will miss the very sensible 4-way stop signs.
I will miss the great food at very affordable prices in Houston, although my waistline might appreciate the change.
I will miss the warm hospitality and open friendliness of Houston people – although if anywhere in the world shared that same openness and hospitality, tinged with a extravagant dose of optimism, it would have to be Australia.
I will miss the drive-through banks. I will miss phone apps that allow you to do most of your banking, and even fill a prescription at the pharmacy, using your mobile phone.
I think that more than anything else, though, I will miss the wonderful students at The Awty International School. Awty’s students are as bright, as engaged, as curious, as articulate, as confident, as polite, as balanced and as focussed as the best of any students I have ever seen in any school anywhere in the world.
In that context, it has been very encouraging this week to have a steady flow of senior members of the faculty and staff from both the French and International Sections, as well as some parents who made a special trip to the school for the purpose, calling into my office to express their personal gratitude for my leadership and to say their own farewells. It has been heart-warming and uplifting to hear the lovely things they have said to me, and it has been great for me also to have the opportunity to express my gratitude to them for their support and friendship.
This week I sent a final e-mail message to all the staff and faculty in the school, using these words:
“Dear Colleagues,
In this, my final week of service as Head of The Awty International school, I am writing to say both ‘goodbye’ and ‘thank you’.
Much of the joy of working at Awty has come from being able to rely on the loyalty and support of such a skilled and dedicated staff and faculty, and for that I want to express my sincere thanks to you. I know you will extend the same level of support to Lisa Darling as you welcome her as your incoming Interim Head of School next week.
I will continue to write weekly blogs on my personal website (www.stephencodrington.com), so if you are interested you are very welcome to keep up with my adventures.
Almost a quarter of a century as a Head of Schools leaves me with some great stories and many wonderful memories. I thank you for being part of them.
Warmest wishes to you all as you continue in one of life’s most rewarding professions – shaping the future.”
I read recently that for the third year in a row, Australia has been declared by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) as the world’s happiest country. I hope that my return to Australia does not lower Australia’s ranking when next year’s survey is completed ;-)
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I will resume posting weekly, or semi-regular, blogs after I arrive in Australia in late August. In the meantime, starting next week, I will be posting (hopefully) daily travel blogs describing Dianne’s and my one-way, circuitous trip from Houston to Sydney.
Farewell Houston
Sunday, 30 June 2013