I stopped work in January 2012, one month before my 66th birthday. I retired twelve years ago – and have not stopped being as busy as I ever was.

Possibly the nicest thing about retirement is the disconnect I have from the workplace. I don’t have to assume direct responsibility any longer for day-to-day leadership and management issues in the school or an organisation.

When within the organisation, one spends a lot of time reacting.

These days I’m able to look at the bigger picture in a panoramic way. I can comment on offer advice but I am not directly responsible for what goes on as used to be the case. I can be empathetic without being the owner of day-to-day school operations.