For 150 years almost all in education have expected things in schools to look a certain way and to operate under a set of predictable boundaries, we organise people into neat parcels of time in allocated spaces, we all understand the rules of the game and there is a sense of that predictability that gives many of us comfort in the certainty.
That being said life is schools is always unpredictable and the day of a well organised teacher or leader is bound to be undone by some kind of curve ball, a rainy lunchtime, a missing CRT, an overzealous teenager and the list continues on and on. Therefore, in schools we do things to keep the elements we can control predictable so that we have the space and the grace to deal with everything else.
And then there was the 2020 school year. A year where the goalposts changed from day to day and sometimes hour to hour, where the most baseline predictable elements of school, such as, students and staff walking in the gates each morning were turned upside down in the space of days and for many of our school several times over. 2020 has certainly been a year of challenge and opportunity. We are proud of the fact that in our LEVNT schools each and every time our dedicated staff rose to the challenges and took advantage of new opportunities to get creative and connect with your communities.
A famous Christmas carol, “O Holy Night,” has a lyric that might resonate with you this year: “A thrill of hope! The weary world rejoices.” As we pass through this Advent season it is ok for you to feel wearied by this year, but the hope of Christmas isn’t far away. As this school year draws to a close, we here at LEVNT pray that you are able to take a moment and appreciate all that you have achieved in often trying circumstances. Reflect on and celebrate the year that was.
We pray that over this Christmas break you will find a way to connect with family and friends, to refuel your tank by doing the things that bring you peace and joy and we pray that lifted up by the joy and hope of Christmas you will be renewed with energy to return to our schools next year with anticipation and hope for a new school year.
Every Christmas Blessing to you and your family,
Julian Denholm
Executive Director
