December; whimsy not windy

6th December 2024

It’s that strange time in the term when we can see the end of term on the horizon but we know we’ve got so much to achieve before then. We know that the end of term events (such as shows, performances, pantos and the like) are coming together but we know that standards need to be maintained around the building, be that uniform, behaviour or the work produced in class, lab, workshop, sports hall. We know that the temptation to become demob happy is not too far away but getting up, getting in and maintaining a good attendance record will make all the difference now and towards the end of the academic year.

The experienced staff, pupils and students will know that it’s wise not to think too far ahead. Unlike most workplaces or industries there can be no wind-down to the break. Schools and colleges, when working with children and young people, understand that we are on or we are off, there’s no middle ground. Many of your friends and family, those who don’t work in our context, will not quite understand the relentless nature of our work. Whatever we do, whatever our role, we know that we need to be ‘on it’ from the very start of the day, until we walk out of the building at the end of the ‘shift’.  The work can be attritional and many pupils, students and staff describe taking a few days to re-sheen, as much as recover, upon taking a break. The reality is that a weekend, however welcome and enjoyable, doesn’t really make that much difference.

And that’s just how it is. That’s what gives us all so much pleasure and satisfaction. Not only do we know as staff that we are truly making a difference to the lives of our children, young people, their families and the wider community but we are also fulfilling something in ourselves. Many of us have a profound sense of duty and commitment. We choose to work in a school or in a college because we want our ‘calling’, our vocation, to have a real meaning. We leap out of bed on a cold and wet December morning (and yes, we do) because our work means something to those children, young people and our colleagues. We don’t need to be too dewy eyed about it but we do understand the significance, socially, emotionally, as much as educationally, of our work.

And so, we’ll be sticking at it, this next few weeks (days). I know that our work is valued, although that’s not always freely communicated. Our commitment is appreciated, although that’s not always felt. Our belief in the possibilities is valued, although that’s not always accepted. We do make a difference, we are changing lives.

We are really truly nearly at that decent winter/Christmas break, when we get almost two weeks away from work. That’s time to recharge the batteries, especially as, unlike the summer or Easter, no one else will be working over an extended period – no need to check emails (just on case…), no need to think about what if or what next, no need to do anything school/college related.

I know it was a school night and that can be difficult but I went out to see the comedian Milton Jones on Wednesday – amazing! He was on for 90 minutes and told around 5 gags a minute, too many to remember, too many to hear and, as I was laughing so much at times, too many to try to comprehend. However, a coupler of zingers that really tickled me that I can remember, just to keep you smiling as we go into what is likely to be a wet and blustery weekend.

‘Sometimes I wonder what my grandfather would think of what I do; he spent his whole life in the kebab business, was buried with all his equipment. Probably turning in his grave.

‘My friend was in the Olympics and he won the 200m butterfly – what do you do with a butterfly of that size?’ – thank you Milton.