Beginnings are always exciting but this year the excitement is also accompanied by some trepidation – it is not everyday that you start a new scholastic year in the midst of a pandemic.
Lately, there has been a lot of talk about educators having it easy and that they would all rather stay at home. I rarely comment publicly about the hate that we face but for once, I am going to make an exception. Had we been having it easy, the school would be nowhere near being ready to welcome students for the new scholastic year. Anyone who thinks that a teacher’s “job” is to simply walk in a class and “teach” has no idea but to put it simply, it would be similar to a surgeon walking into the operating theatre to just “operate”.
Over the past months, while educators were on “holiday”, they were also busy revising and creating new teaching material to reflect the new realities that COVID-19 has brought about. They have followed a multitude of webinars, looked into new solutions, scratched their head to figure ways on how to make it work without negating students the human element that is part and parcel of the teaching profession. There are times when all a child needs is a smile and hug. I am realising that face masks make it really difficult for the other person to see the smile behind the mask and as for hugs, they will have to wait!
We have been working relentlessly to ensure that the school is as physically safe as we can possibly make it, over and above other maintenance work that usually goes on during the summer months. But the physical aspect is just that. It is not what makes our school. What makes our school are the relationships, the mutual respect, and the understanding that we are all human beings, with our ups and downs, with our hopes and aspiration, with our fears but with an incredible will to provide the best possible experience for our children.
Many parents are concerned about syllabi. We are concerned about children’s physical and mental well-being. We all need a dose of normality but school will not be the same place it was last March. However, we will find a way to make it work and support children holistically so that they may continue to grow and develop the competences they need for life in the 21st century. Perhaps our biggest challenge will be that of having to curtail most of the activities that have become part and parcel of life at school and which children (and educators) adore! We have a number of projects that are simply on hold, hoping for better times soon.
In the meantime, today was a good first day for staff. It was weird to hold a staff meeting with people on premises but in different rooms, but we managed. On a normal day, there are well over 500 people at school and ensuring everyone’s safety is no mean feat. The logistical aspect of it can be mind-boggling. So today we discussed details that anyone who is not immersed in the daily life of a school would simply miss. We continued to explore ways in which to reach out to our entire school community within the strict parameters imposed by the health authorities. Do we have answers to all our questions? No! But we have the best intention to make it work, keeping our feet firmly planted on the ground.
Unfortunately, it seems that COVID-19 will be with us for some more time, at least! It will not be easy but it is not impossible either. However, we cannot do it on our own. Schools are not glorified baby-sitting institutions and parents have a role to play. I often feel some parents have abdicated their parental responsibilities to then blame schools for their children’s failures. Perhaps it is time these parents realise that behind every child who succeeds at school is a parent who knows how to say “NO”. Children need structure but schools can never replace the structure that parents have a moral duty to provide. Now more than ever, we need parents to work hand-in-hand with us to turn COVID-19 into another learning opportunity.
I have been repeatedly told to keep my posts short so I will do just that for today. We will be in touch over the next few days with the latest developments. Till then, please stay safe!
Charlot Cassar
Head of School
Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash