Sociologist's Field Day

Someone somewhere must have done a study on how many people it takes to spill a secret.  The complication being how invested the people told are in the secret I would assume.
To tell or not to tell?
Really this wasn't the question, it was more who to tell and when.
In my mind an international move is a big deal.  It costs heaps, forces change for people who are not part of the decision making process and is a constant swirl of 'what an opportunity' with regret for what is being left behind.
When the relocation is also dependent on Her Majesties Government in the form of the British High Commission it feels a little dishonest to say 'We're going' when you know very well that the Visas may not be approved.
We decided to accept the offer of relocation in March, my wonderful boss and closest collegues were told of the decision immediately.  As teachers we decided that it would be a happier day if my classes were told when my excellent replacement had accepted the job.  However the group announcement had to be made to parents a week or so early because the secret spread and eventually a Year 7 was told - it took 1/2 an  hour for all Yr7s to find out and an explanation was required. It is May.
Maybe 7 weeks of secret keeping in a school is a miracle?  What a missed opportunity for a sociologist!
Have a look at the fabulous community we are leaving.    http://www.hills.adventist.edu.au/

Reading Now:
Simmel on Secrecy, Marx and Muschert http://web.mit.edu/gtmarx/www/marx-muschert-simmel.pdf

"Individuals need to guard information about their private lives (whether this involves the solitary person or a family group). Yet friendship, intimacy and trust are premised on significant disclosure and discretion indeciding what information to offer. Closeness in interpersonal relationships exists on a continuum of discretion and disclosure."