Memories are special moments that tell our story...Never forget.

‘Never be afraid to be a poppy in a field of daffodils…’ Michaela DePrince

Daffodils are flowers that all my children will know are my favourites. A sure sign of spring, new life and new beginnings. At this time of year, I would often have a knock on the office door with a child beaming as bright as the bunch of daffodils they were clutching for me.  They brought me sunshine and happiness.

In 2004, when I trudged up to the fields and forgotten land in my hard hat, where the ‘new school’ was to be built, I was mesmerised by the wild poppies that grew in the disturbed earth. 

As a school we honoured those who gave their lives for us. Special celebrations where I welcomed former and existing members of the armed forces to share their experiences with the young and older members of our community.

Our poppy tea parties, ceremonial scattering of poppy seeds and watching a sea of red balloons silently float off into the distance are images that help us all to remember the love and respect we felt. The words of those soldiers and how they felt visiting the children - children who showed such gratitude and respect - stay with me today along with their heartfelt letters.  The poppy helps us to remember…

Some cultures believe that poppies are the flower of love. The poppy is an easy flower to love. Trinity was an easy school to love. Like the poppy it brought new life and hope for generations of children and their families. I have often spoken to the children in assemblies about seeing poppies waving in the wind and how it was a sign that there was much to look forward to and hope for. Trinity was a brand-new school in Radstock. A time for new learning, exciting times were ahead. Upon opening, the school was labelled as a ‘trailblazer’ of its time. In many ways we were the tall poppies up on the hill. It is a time I will never forget and will forever stand proud, with my head held high at what we achieved together as a community for hundreds of children. 

‘Don’t wait for someone to bring you flowers. Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul.’

Growing and nurturing happy souls of so many children was a joy. Trinity was never a school where we were waiting. We made things happen. The children flew from the nest of the Trinity dove as confident, articulate and proud individuals. The secondary schools that our children went on to, without exception, always told us how the Trinity pupils stood out in a positive way and made a difference. Head teachers from our neighbouring secondary schools wanted to learn from us and we were often visited by staff from the secondaries and indeed the heads themselves. We were happy to share. Sometimes it is impossible to articulate how special a place can be. You have to experience it and see it for yourself. 

Our children were hungry to learn. Theatre trips to see Shrek, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, War Horse, Matilda, Oliver! and many more over the years meant that all our children could experience the magic of the West End. Literacy skills were awakened with whole classes of children acting, writing, reading, dancing, singing and truly believing that they could achieve anything - and they did!  Children were taught to dance like true professionals and PE lessons even included rounds of golf on the green!  Our ‘mathemagicians’ exclaimed loudly, “I am good at maths” as they conducted maths investigations. Our regular trips to Romania meant that children were awarded ‘Trinities’; our in-house currency as rewards for positive behaviour.  ‘Trinities’ could be spent on the trolley at break time ‘purchasing’ soaps, flannels, pencils or small toys which would then be lovingly parcelled up for our friends in Romania. The counting, saving, adding up, mental maths and arithmetic were all life skills that we taught in a way that appealed to our children, and helped those who were less fortunate.

‘You just call out my name and you know wherever I am, I’ll come running, to see you again, you’ve got a friend…’

I do not think I can mention the words friends or Romania without mentioning Mrs McArthur.  In 2004 when the school was being built and we were busy recruiting, it was Becki McArthur’s application that caught my eye. Her kindness, compassion and unique personality stood out a mile.

In life you are blessed to meet people who touch and leave their mark on you. It is often a unique and special experience. Mrs McArthur is unique and special. She is someone I consider to be a lifelong friend and I was privileged to meet her through our work at Trinity. She brought Romania to us as a school and so much more. She has a gift not just with children but adults alike. We would often smile and rejoice daily together ‘this isn’t work!’ We both had a shared love for a school that gave us so much joy and satisfaction.

Mrs McArthur is a person of great integrity. Someone who is not afraid to stand up for what is right. It is humbling to have met Mrs McArthur and still have her in my life. I know that she made so many children’s lives happy and safe. They learnt so much in her care.  She continues to do this now for so many other children and their families.  I will always be grateful for all that she did for everyone at Trinity.  Thank you, my dear friend, always.

‘A memory lasts forever, never does it die. True friends stay together and never say goodbye.’

I did not get the chance to say goodbye to many people in December 2015 which is why this week has been so uplifting. I have had the pleasure of meeting up with several parents since I left. There have been both tears of laughter and indeed sadness. It was heart warming to hear many people talk so positively about the impact that Trinity had on their children and indeed their lives. ‘Happy bananas’, ‘Peace babies (jelly babies)’ and ‘Making People Feel Good’ are still legacies that are alive and kicking in families far and wide. 

It therefore came with great sorrow for me to learn that a news release had been circulated to the Trinity School community many months after I had resigned. As I have previously written in my blog, the allegations contained within this statement were investigated by the relevant national bodies and dismissed. To those of you who were unaware, both these bodies dismissed the investigations without even the need for a hearing.  Perhaps the person responsible for circulating the news release to the Trinity community should reflect on whether this was morally the right thing to do.

Many people will know that both of my children attended Trinity School. It is my strong belief that if it was not good enough for my children then it was not good enough for anyone’s children. At just two-years-old, my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes - a lifelong autoimmune condition which causes your body to stop making insulin. I have great empathy with parents who have concerns when leaving their children in the care of others, in particular when your child has a condition that requires medication.

As a school we were widely known to accept and welcome children with a variety of heath needs and this was because of the fantastic care, warmth and love that we provided. Children who had previously displayed poor behaviour in other schools and were at risk of exclusion joined Trinity and flourished.  Without exception, children were treated with dignity and as individuals. On a daily basis, we modelled how important it was to speak with kindness and never to belittle others.  Our positive praise and reward systems were studied by many and schools from all over the country came to see them in action.  ‘Mrs Hart’s treasure chest’ was always a winner and I was often touched when children chose gifts for their younger siblings.  The care, kindness and positive warmth that we exuded was infectious.

As a head teacher I reminded everyone in the school that we operated a no shouting policy and oddly to me, some considered this highly unusual, especially if they had come from other schools. It is no surprise that children looked after each other and that the older year six children relished being with their younger ‘buddies’. This is because this was the day-to-day ethos and running of a very safe, happy and nurturing school. I know that the children will remember the positive and empowering environment that they experienced at Trinity. The children were given a voice. I have no need to defend this.

When you know the truth, you stand in your own wisdom. I know for sure that many parents dismissed what they had read because they knew that it was simply untrue. The children of the school were my top priority.

Sometimes people aim to detract from the truth of what is actually happening by discrediting others. It can be a weak attempt to mask your own shortcomings.

What I have learnt is that:

‘Everyone wants to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.’ -  Oprah Winfrey

I have been presented with emails written by people who I had come to know as friends but were unwilling to ‘take the bus’ with me despite having ‘been in the limo’, for some ten years. These are people I interacted with every day throughout my time at Trinity, not just in the office but socially with our families. I understand that fight or flight kicks in but I will never understand a ‘save yourself’ mentality. Some people do not like honesty. I do not like lies.

Integrity is everything. As a school, we had policies galore. Honesty will always be my best policy…

‘With integrity you have nothing to fear, since you have nothing to hide. With integrity, you will do the right thing, so you will have no guilt.’