It’s Week 3 of our term already and we are getting into the swing of the new normal here at Prescott Primary Northern. We have about 94% of our children back learning at school and I have loved seeing the joy on some of the children’s faces when they are back with their friends and classmates. At the same time, there are many of our school family who continue to face challenges at the moment. Some of our students are stuck overseas and are unable to get back to Australia, some have family members who are in hospital overseas fighting Covid-19 infection. We also have some of our school families who have recently lost loved ones here in Adelaide to non-Covid related causes. An interesting tension has occurred to me in this time of social distancing – we need to be connected and be together for one another. It’s an interesting irony isn’t it. Together in the distancing.

We need one another. I know I often write here about the importance of creating a sense of belonging for our children, but it is more relevant now than ever and the great part is, it doesn’t have to be a burden. Sure, it may mean we have to go out of our own way or even comfort zone, but we are definitely stronger when we are connected. It reminds me of the early Boystown story that became the basis for a hit song for the Hollies way back when.

”Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up or down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Reuben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard.  

Reuben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father… he’s m’ brother.” (www.boystown.org)

I have been doing some reading recently around the importance of connection and the psychological impacts of not being properly connected with others and it has struck me how research is pointing strongly to how much healthier (physically, socially and emotionally) we can be when we create and cultivate connection to others. It is so easy to slip into thinking about what works best for me, “I must be independent and self reliant (important, but not most important qualities),” and yet I know that my best “me” is not me on my own. It is “me” with “us”. I love the way this researcher and writer put it, “As members of a social species, we derive strength not from our rugged individualism, but from our collective ability to plan, communicate, and work together.” (Browne, 2018) I have experienced this with the staff and families of Prescott Primary Northern on many occasions over the years, and it has come clearly into focus in the last couple of months. For this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

“But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other.” 1 John 1:7

Have a great week with your kids,

Mark B