Lockdown: Week 7

8th May 2020

This will be something of a short message. I’m not expecting anybody to want to read this on a sunny bank holiday. It makes a nice change for the sun to be shining over the bank holiday weekend, even if it does not feel like a typical bank holiday; I’m not sure whether that’s as a consequence of the present crisis or that the bank holiday has been shifted from a Monday to a Friday.

Thank you, once again, for all the hard work you’ve undertaken this week in supporting our children and young people. As this crisis and lockdown continues it is becoming increasingly more difficult to maintain levels of motivation and enthusiasm. It’s hard enough for us adults who can, to some degree, rationalise things. It’s even more difficult for our children and young people who may be feeling particularly bereft as the lockdown extends.

We should have some indication on Sunday as to the direction of travel from the government. This will allow us to think about “what next “. As you might expect, we will follow the direction, take heed of the guidance and consider the advice. First and foremost, we will put the safety of the children and adults at the heart of our considerations as we plan for the reopening – whenever that might be and in whatever form.

I hope that many of you have seen the flyer on our website, sent by the NHS, which is designed to encourage us all to continue to use the national health services available and not to put ourselves, our family members or our friends in a vulnerable position as a consequence of an unwillingness to burden the medical professionals.

I seem to have done much less of the other stuff this week, possibly because of the consideration of the reopening of the schools and the college. I would recommend watching selected box sets and have been taken by the most recent series of Money Heist (watch it in Spanish with subtitles not dubbed) and After Life, with and by Ricky Gervais.

I just want to briefly recognise that it is the 75^th anniversary of VE day. Whatever one’s own personal history, your political inclinations or your views on national events, today is a significant day. As time ticks relentlessly on it is the last time that we might take a national moment to reflect upon the sacrifices and personal challenges that had to be endured between 1939-45. Many millions died worldwide, many more were scared physically and emotionally, many never recovered. And then that generation endured many years of economic and social hardship, allowing us to build a safer country and a safer Europe. This day isn’t about nationalism, jingoism or even cynicism; it is about reflection, respect and some appreciation. 

‘All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom; justice; honour; duty; mercy; hope.’  Winston Churchill

It’s a longer weekend. Enjoy – if you can.

Please Click here to view Covid-19 Parental Guide.