Recently, I re-read a book titled, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman.

In the novel we meet Ove, a grumpy but deeply principled man. Ove has recently been made redundant and lost his wife – a double tragedy that leads him to increasingly isolate himself from the world.

Outwardly, he appears irritable, selfish and even to his closest neighbours, rude. Inwardly, we see a life, once filled with love and purpose, being reduced to emptiness.

As the story progresses, light shines into this old man’s life through small cracks in his hard exterior – a stray cat that finds a home in his front yard, a new neighbour who needs someone to teacher her to drive, and a young man desperately in need of a father figure.

Through a series of unlikely friendships and acts of kindness, Ove’s heart gradually softens. He finds purpose in connecting with his neighbours and offering his support to them - despite the way he grumbles about doing so.

None of these characters are aware, perhaps until the final paragraphs, of the difference they have made in Ove’s life. The final chapters also present Ove as a changed man – instead of wishing to escape a life that he no longer recognises, he instead embraces a new life focused on making things better for others.

This is why I returned to the book - not only is the story beautifully written, it reminds us of the profound impact community and compassion can have on our lives and the lives of our children.

A Man Called Ove serves as a poignant reminder of the things we hope nurture in our students as they grow—empathy, resilience, and the ability to see the best in themselves and others. Like Ove, who learns to open his heart and accept help as much as he gives it, we encourage our students to embrace collaboration and kindness, even when it's challenging.

As we enter the busy end of Term 4 and festive season, let’s remember to keep an eye out for each other and, perhaps, reach out to our friends, neighbours and classmates a little bit more – they may not be called Ove, but they might just need the same kind of care he did.