Perhaps a parent never taught them the value of a work ethic. Maybe an education was lost on minds that are closed and responsibility avoided by those who consider themselves entitled.

Then there are those whose only interest is in the security of self with little concern for people beyond the door of their own home. Perhaps a parent spoilt them, education betrayed them, or the love of money overwhelmed them, or the need of others was simply lost on them.

Oh for the teacher of wisdom, a leader who knows how to work. Oh for the strength of one who teaches a firm handshake and expects its return from the student. Oh for the teacher who invests not just in a mind but also in the heart. I am speaking of the teacher who pauses in the school yard to offer a student a word of encouragement and who shows no favourites but shows favour to all.

A teacher who takes time to know a student's name and invites them into the adventure we call life. Such a teacher stands to attention when the cadets are on parade and applauds from the sideline while waving the school flag. If they could they would yell at the netball but they silently submit to the umpire because they understand and show respect for all.

This teacher is the one who leaves no one behind and would come last in order to inspire a person to something better. They are there when the cooking needs doing, when the losing is overwhelming, when the grief is tear producing, when the results are disappointing and at the finish line when the student needs applauding.

When such a teacher becomes a principal they sacrifice love of their subject to advance the subjects of all. They yield their class to another only to seek the development of student and teacher together. They once stood teaching a class they loved but now stand before meetings, study accounts while considering such things as staff to student ratios and working on facilities. They look to advance the school's interest in a competitive environment while managing complaints that seem to come from all points of the human compass. From the teacher responsible for a class the principal becomes responsible for a school.

The teacher's responsible to teach while the principal must ensure they teach well, that students learn, that parents are placated, and that every issue of compliance is met while scrutinised by the community, the media and anyone with an opinion whether it's an educated one or ignorant.

When you put it like this it makes you wonder why anyone would be a principal. A leach would never take on such a job... but a contributor would.

I write these things in honour of a contributor. Only a few weeks ago Armidale lost a contributor and in my experience not everyone is a contributor. So when a contributor of the ilk of Murray Guest, the principal of The Armidale School, becomes another road fatality, it is only right to pause for a moment to applaud his contribution.

Mr Guest's ambition as an educator was to see all his students make such a contribution to life and country that blessing would follow and we would all be the beneficiaries.

Having had my hand firmly shaken by hundreds of young men and women after chapel services at The Armidale School, I have no doubt the teaching principal has made a contribution that will last through the well-lived lives of his students.

To the students of The Armidale School, pay your tribute to the principal who served you by being contributors to the welfare of others.

To the family of Murray Guest, on behalf of the community in which I live, we offer our heartfelt condolences praying that your grief finds comfort in Christ, in whom is the promise of the resurrection of the dead.