Be kind

26th February 2021

Welcome back and I do hope that you managed to get something of a break last week. Notice I say welcome back. I do get irritated with the media suggesting that reopening, on Monday 8^th March to all pupils, students and staff, means that is when we are all back at work after a period of extended leave. Schools and colleges haven’t shut and all staff, whatever their role, have continued to work as hard as ever. Schools and colleges haven’t shut and all pupils and students, whatever their stage, have continued to work as hard as ever.

For months now, many of us have been talking about and looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. It seems that there is now a tangible, albeit just a glimmer, of light when we peer into the near future. I’m not sure that our work, personal and collective, will be any easier over that period, albeit it may well be different, but the prospect of there being something of a way out or way forward, personally and societally, does lift the spirits somewhat.

In addition this week to the COVID news, there has been something in the air (quite literally) that will tend to lift the spirits that bit further. The change in the weather gives one a feeling that Spring is on its way. A little bit of sunshine with some attendant warmth has brought some cheer to us all. We can also notice how much lighter the mornings now are and, equally, how much lighter the late afternoons tend to be. It does make an enormous difference to awake to the light. And be able to hold that light until; later afternoon.

In addition to this, my spirits have been lifted further by the assembly theme at Oakwood this week. Mrs Samuel, through the assembly programme, has got us all thinking about ‘Random Acts of Kindness’. She is encouraging our children and young people to sprinkle a little kindness on the world around them. That kindness may well be at home or in the community, equally it could be within school or college community. Mrs Samuel asks our children and young people to consider carefully how they behave, what they do and whether they make a difference to the people and the world around them. Many of us know that, putting COVID to one side, that there are some particularly unkind and unwelcome behaviours and people out there in the real and virtual world. We cannot, however we may desire it, change those individuals however we can control and manage our own behaviours. Mrs Samuel‘s challenge to our children and young people, and I think to the adults of this community, is to find a way of doing good and spreading good. She asks us to consider what it is that we can do which might be seen by others as ‘making a difference’.

And there is science behind this too. Being kind is good for you. It does have a physiologically positive impact on your body. It makes you feel better to make others feel better. You might lower your blood pressure, increase your energy levels, reduce anxiety and improve your general well-being. Being kind is a classic win-win!

‘Take time to be kind and to say ‘thank you.’ Zig Ziglar

So, from me, thank you for all that you do – I know you make a difference. Thank you for all that you do for others. Your consistent and persistent acts of kindness do make a difference.

The sun is going to shine this weekend, enjoy a little bit of Springtime.

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