I’m not sure about you, but I’m sort of just hanging on at the moment as the train of life flies along! We have been working very hard again this week to provide learning to our students in a very challenging time. Families are having to make difficult decisions about how best to manage COVID-19 restrictions, deal with changing employment situations, oversee a household and care for children. Many of our families have made the decision to keep their children home and lessen the interaction to lessen risk. The Prime Minister has given that as an option to us. He has also instructed that, at this stage, schools are to remain open. As a school, we are also putting things in place to be able to deliver “At Home” learning should schools be closed. You can imagine that this is placing considerable extra work and pressure for our staff. I would ask that you please be respectful of our teachers and their challenges at the moment in trying to help support families and students at home, teach their normal classes and do duties, follow extra hygiene procedures etc., as well as doing training and developing resources should schools be closed.

These really are uncharted waters for all of us, but I know that as we work together as a community and look after one another, we can come out the other side of this with lots of new skills and experiences we hadn’t thought possible.

Those of you who read these remarks regularly will know I often talk about the importance of developing resilience in our children so when the storms of life hit us, we are able to find a way to not only survive, but flourish. One of the things that keeps coming through in the research and practical hints from experts that I have shared over the years, is that we need to model these skills to our children in real life situations. I honestly cannot remember in my lifetime, a better opportunity than this to demonstrate, model, explain and encourage resilience, that the situation we are all currently working through. Please take this opportunity with both hands and as I mentioned to staff this morning in Staff Worship, “Courage is Contagious” let’s help our kids catch courage.

The verse from the Bible in Joshua 1:9 comes to mind straight away as I write that, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Please look after one another and have a great week with your kids,

Mark B