EDUCATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
BACK TO SCHOOL
BY MIKE PIERCY , HEADMASTER , THE NEW BEACON SCHOOL
EDUCATION IS A FUNNY OLD BUSINESS WITH A FAST-MOVING , ONE YEAR CYCLE . THE ANNUAL ROUND OF A SEPTEMBER FRESH START , NEW CLASS , NEW TEACHERS , POSSIBLY A NEW SCHOOL , LEAVING THE HIATUS OF THE JULY END OF YEAR SEEMINGLY AEONS AWAY .
For those who teach the younger years , their charges spending more of their waking hours with the teacher than their parents , the relationship between teacher and pupil is fundamental . As with any human contact some relationships will be stronger than others . Every year there will be tears from some – teacher , pupil , parent – as a child moves on from a much loved teacher .
Come September the cycle renews , summer having rapidly and rather oddly dissipated the emotion of July . Outgrown uniform , visits to the outfitter and stationer , last term ’ s report scrutinised for targets , words of advice and encouragement from parents , early term information evenings to set expectations for the year – it all begins again .
The last two years ’ regrettably interrupted , truncated schooling have taught us much . Yes , we should evaluate any lag in learning , core concepts not securely embedded , learning habits possibly less secure , regressed handwriting . Above all , however , we must consider relationships ; the importance of social learning and personal development : respect , empathy , acceptance ( a better word than ‘ tolerance ’), kindness , and listening skills . This is what was missed – as much as academic progress .
What would be the advice for a return to school ? As our Year 8 boys ( we are a boys ’ school !) left in July I gave them two pieces of advice borrowed from Shakespeare ’ s Hamlet . The blundering , bumbling Polonius is saying farewell to his son Laertes who sets sail for England . As our boys embark on the next phase of their educational journey two of the points he makes I find particularly apposite .
‘ Give thy thoughts no tongue , nor any unproportioned thought his act .’ Children can be spontaneous : a measured , considered approach makes for safer relationships especially when joining a new school . ‘ To thine own self be true , and it must follow , as the night the day , thou canst not then be false to any man .’ Judgement , the ability to make sound decisions , comes with experience and maturity . Integrity runs deeper : being faithful to a strong moral code ; the courage of conviction in decision-making and action will serve young people well as they start in new classes , schools and communities .
Returning to the theme of interrupted education , we should remember what we missed having hitherto possibly taken for granted : school , learning , teachers and friends . We cannot replace the time we lost . We can however fill those gaps in learning and personal , social development by taking advantage of every opportunity as we return for the new school year .
New , oversized uniform fitted , laptop fully charged , a bulging pencil case , pencils sharpened . Refreshed , mentally and emotionally prepared for the challenges of the new school year – good luck to them all , pupils and teachers ! www . newbeacon . org . uk
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