Run, sweat, smile, repeat...

‘It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life…and I’m feeling good’.  Nina Simone

Recently I embarked on a ‘get fit’ mission and enrolled on one of the ‘Couch25K’ running programmes.  When I start something, I always finish it and with great determination, humour and positivity.  Two old school friends that I have known since we were eleven embarked on the course with me and I could not have done it without them. 

I completed the 5K and feel like Forrest Gump in that, I am still going.  Yes, those of you that know my fitness regime, know that this is a minor miracle.  In the words of Nina Simone ‘Bird flyin’ high’ and the ‘Sun in the sky’, ‘Blossom on the tree’ as I sit here and look out of my kitchen window.  Life is about living and turning negatives into positives. 

I love the impact I am currently having on a whole new set of children and their families.  It is impossible not to want to help others when and where you can.  Forrest Gump drawled ‘Life is like a box of chocolates’, something I have deprived myself of in my pursuit of the 5K!  I always told the children at school that we are all like ‘a box of Liquorice Allsorts’.  In many ways we are the same, but very different in others.  It is important that we celebrate our differences. 

The box of Liquorice Allsorts sweets are all different colours, shapes and sizes on the outside, yet they all have liquorice running through them.  As people, we are all different but should have the same common threads of love, care and respect running through us. 

‘Don’t be afraid of being different.  Be afraid of being the same as everyone else’.

As a school we celebrated diversity.  Shortly after my resignation in December 2015, a local Radstock Councillor emailed the Local Authority, Bath and North East Somerset, stating

“Last year I was particularly pleased that the Trinity Academy school presented me with a rainbow ribbon, it shows how much things are moving on.  Trinity school has carried out tremendous work with young people there to raise awareness of discrimination and put over a strong message of the need to treat everyone with respect and dignity.  Work that should be emulated across B&NES in all its schools, other organisations and in fact be promoting this to other public bodies.”

I have written before about very special, memorable and proud moments when Baroness Doreen Lawrence visited Trinity.  We looked at the life of Stephen Lawrence as part of our curriculum and the tragedy of his murder over a period of many years.  This week sees a three-part documentary on BBC1, starting on Tuesday 17^th April.  I for one will be watching.  The trailers for the programme have already had me in tears.  As a school community we had a tremendous amount of love and deep respect for Doreen, Stephen’s mother. 

The injustice and suffering are unbearable to contemplate.  Something that I, for many years, have felt a deep need to address in my role as a teacher. 

Recently, there has been much talk both locally and nationally about the need to adopt ‘anti-racist activity curricula in schools’.  We bravely did so at Trinity and openly addressed the effects of the murder of Stephen Lawrence. 

As schools we should not be afraid to educate our children and their communities about the evils of racism. Some people felt that we should not be looking at the tragedy of this case within a Primary School.  I felt differently.

‘What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right’ Albert Einstein.

We celebrated the life of Stephen Lawrence and all that he brought to this world.  It was truly moving and humbling to see how inspired children were when they learnt about his many great gifts and talents.

During her visits to the school, Baroness Lawrence participated in whole school assemblies and presented awards.  She spoke sensitively with our ambassadors, unveiled a statue, released doves and opened the very special ‘Stephen Lawrence stilling room’.  A beautifully engraved plaque with the words

Special

Talented

Education

Positive role model

Hero

Equality,

Never forget…

was placed on the door to a room that became a haven for many children and adults.  To commemorate the opening, Baroness Lawrence said some special words, cut a ribbon and lit a candle in honour of her son.  The walls of the room were adorned with paintings by the children, artwork and poems about Stephen.  I have vivid memories of the room and stronger thoughts about the way in which the children showed empathy towards Baroness Lawrence, the warm reception and excitement that they always gave her.  The children demonstrated maturity beyond their years and we all pledged to make a difference.  All of the children in years five and six were given copies of the pupil book about Stephen Lawrence’s life.  We read his story with great sadness, yet with a sense of purpose. Staff were given copies of Baroness Lawrence’s book ‘And Still I Rise’. 

It is important that we teach adults as well as our children.

Stephen Lawrence is the figurehead for all murdered young people and racially motivated crime that is so rife today.  We are not learning fast enough.  Lessons still need to be  taught.  Stephen Lawrence, like all those who have gone before and followed since, will never be forgotten.  As long as I have the passion to teach future generations about dignity and respect, I will.  We must never forget.

‘Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle’ is a wall plaque a parent once gifted to me and in the presence of her parents.   I will always be happy to help and support people, going the extra mile, Forrest Gump style!  The faith and trust I placed in people and the pain that I have experienced has changed me.  However, I am still the same person, it is my outlook on life that has altered.  Is that possible?  My sparkle will never be dampened.  I have never set out to be different, only to make a difference. 

Looking forward to the future is exciting and important. The vision of setting up a new school and filling it with young minds, ready to learn, blossom and take on the world is motivational. 

I am not afraid to take risks.  I encourage children and those around me to be the best that they can be. 

Memories of the children at Trinity jumping and marching from one side of the school hall to the other, singing ‘Be bold, be strong…’ is enough inspiration to do exactly that. 

‘If you are always trying to be normal you will never know how AMAZING you can be’.  Maya Angelou