I have been reflecting on the last term, in particular this week, and aspects of learning I have taken from this unprecedented time.  Some of this noticing has been quite profound and some very ordinary.  Please excuse the mix!

Learning is an inherently social process

Like Aristotle, I have never been more aware that “People are by nature social animals.”  Working virtually as a school was a learning experience in itself, and I am incredibly appreciative of the work that both staff and parents put in to ensure the children’s engagement levels remained so high, but it certainly reemphasised that the best teaching and learning is an inherently social process.  I was delighted that much of the warmth and care that is intrinsic in great teaching managed to migrate online, but it’s just not the same as being together in a learning environment.  Offering the opportunity for all our young people to come back on campus over the last two weeks – I believe we are the only prep school nationally to do so – has further reinforced this point, as children have revelled in just being together again.  Academic learning has certainly taken place, but the positively palpable impact on the children’s wellbeing alone has made the complex logistics entirely worthwhile.

Bad hair days or a sign of growing up?

Child development is an individual process, and I don’t hold with a ‘one-size-fits-all’ perspective, but lots of young people experience and exhibit similar behaviours around the same stage of their lives.  Most of our pupils from Year 5 and above were happy to be seen during meetings on Microsoft Teams and were able use non-verbal communication as a result, aside from Year 8.  On numerous occasions, teachers led sessions where, en masse, Year 8 used avatars, photos and characters to represent them visually, which I found very interesting and may be a sign of their ever-increasing self-awareness and insecurity that can characterise early adolescence?  Or perhaps they were just all having bad hair days?

Striking a balance in our lives

Much of what we take for granted in our lives is more fragile that we think.  Far beyond All Hallows, global economies which were centuries in the making ground to a halt, the routine of our daily lives largely disappeared, travel plans were cancelled, major events like the Olympics and Premier League football were suspended, and even our basic human rights – like freedom of movement – became subject to monitoring and even prosecution.  And all this seemed to happen overnight!  Perhaps we are learning how little control we actually have over what happens next and, if this is the case, should we make the very most of the present?  We couldn’t even Google “Covid-19” at the turn of the year, so should we recognise that what we thought was indestructible really is not and stop worrying quite so much about what may be round the corner?  Who lay awake worrying about a global pandemic at the start of the school year?  As we say farewell to our oldest pupils today, although they may have apprehensions about what is to come, they are also excited about what lies ahead, whatever that might be.  Could we all aim to strike this balance more often?

The importance of friends and close relationships.

Whilst I could not go out, keep busy, eat in restaurant, visit the theatre or partake of the odd glass of wine in an appropriate environment, I found that I had more time to talk with my friends, properly talk and hold deep conversations, without feeling there was somewhere else I should be, or something on which I was missing out, and I am resolved to continue to do so as part of my ‘new normal’.  I feel better when I spend time with others for whom I care and care about me.  The children recognise this inherently and openly refer to their relief about spending time together again, much of it occupied just talking, laughing, and playing together.

A heightened awareness

Finally, the quiet of the world in the past few months has prompted me to notice some many aspects of my environment I took for granted or to which I was just too preoccupied to attend.  Less traffic noise made the birdsong more noticeable, working in the kitchen made me appreciate the changes in the garden, and my daily walks brought into focus pieces of architecture that had previous been overlooked in my busyness.  Again, the children seem to see things with a fresh pair of eyes in a manner that might benefit us all.  On my first day back in school this term, a Year 6 girl excitedly pointed up to the top of the Science Block where she had noticed that swallows were building their nest under the eaves.  She had walked around with her eyes up, whereas I was always walking with the purpose of getting somewhere – and missed so much as a result.  Later that day, I happened across some Year 1s pondering how some white flowers were growing in a gutter.  How great that they noticed!

I would thank each and every one of you for helping us make the very most of every opportunity the was proffered this term and overcome the many challenges that we faced together – both online and on our return to school – in the best interests of the children about whom we all care so much.  I hope we can continue to work in close partnership as we move forward into the new academic year in September.