‘Always let your conscience be your guide…’ Jiminy Cricket.

If ever there was proof about the powerful effects of social media it came in the form of an unexpected email received to my blog this week.

Whilst I receive overwhelmingly supportive feedback to my blog, this message has taken me completely by surprise. It was both positive and thoughtful, from a former teacher at my previous school, Trinity. I would like to thank this teacher for their honesty and kindness. It was really heartwarming, to read in this lengthy message this week that this teacher ‘loved’ being at the school and that they were sorry to ‘read all of the horrible and negative comments on social media’. This teacher goes on to say that they only have ‘happy memories of the school’.

The message ends with:

‘I want to thank you for the opportunity that you gave me years ago which led me to where I am today. I have always thought you were an amazing person and I still think you are. Thank you for writing this blog as it is very important to know both sides of the story. It has opened my eyes I must say! Im sorry for what you had to go through and I hope life is treating you well now after the storm. All my love xxxx’

Interestingly, this teacher also wrote that they had been contacted by someone shortly after they had left asking about their experiences at the school.

Who contacted this teacher after they had left and why?

As many of you will be aware from reading my blogs, in December 2015 I resigned from my post as Head Teacher due to on-line bullying and harassment. I rejected a settlement that was offered to me on December 18th 2015. In January 2017 I successfully sued a teacher who was a member of the NUT for defamation. I was then referred by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in March 2017 to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA).

Why then was I surprised to receive this beautiful message to my blog from this former teacher this week?

I am surprised because included within the NUT referral documents sent to the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) was a damning statement, dated December 2015, purporting to be from this teacher. It is completely at odds with the wonderful message that she has kindly sent me this week. The December 2015 statement in no way reflects the warmth and sincerity of the email message received from the same teacher this week.

I have my own thoughts on how this has evolved.

I remember this teacher well and I am grateful that they have taken the time to write to me. I am humbled to think that this teacher feels that the opportunity I gave them is why they are where they are today. This of course is not the case. ‘Believing in yourself’ is the most powerful quality any of us can have. I am proud and happy that this teacher has gone on to achieve and serve the community.

‘No legacy is as rich as honesty’. William Shakespeare.

During the summer I read that a CEO of a Multi-Academy Trust is ‘Concerned that I may try to twist conversations or messages that we had had...' and asked 'whether he needed to provide any clarification about these sorts of issues.’

I have never had the need to twist conversations or messages.  

In fact, this CEO texted me about the Safeguarding investigation that was carried out after I had resigned as Head of the school. He said ‘We were cross it was being done’. He went on to write, ‘It will come to nothing I reckon like the DFE report!!!’.

This same CEO came on several occasions to view outstanding practice when I was Head at the school, encouraged his own leaders to visit Trinity and offered me the role of Executive Primary Head Teacher within his Multi-Academy Trust. Of course, I will be very happy to discuss the conversations and show the messages between myself and the CEO.

I am very content that the legacy I have left in a community and school that I was Head of is one to be proud of.

Indeed, the CEO messaged me after I had left the school stating

‘Despite my efforts and those of ****** and ********, the good work done at Trinity over many years was dismissed. I’m sorry that your work and that of others has been portrayed as being so bad. I’ve personally learnt how vulnerable we all are.’

It appears that my blog has been a positive read for some and maybe a concern for others. I wonder why?

‘Negative people need drama like oxygen. Stay positive, it will take their breath away…’ Unknown

I have experienced the negative and vile side of social media. I have endeavoured to turn a negative experience into a positive for myself and my family.

I received a comment from someone claiming to be ‘Jane’ with an email address of ‘laststab@outlook.com’.

I would like to thank ‘Jane’ for reading through each and every message that my blog has received and telling me that I must be ‘filtering the comments’ as there are ‘no negative!’. ‘Jane’ goes on to claim that my blog is a ‘reflection of me’ and that I am a ‘keyboard warrior!’.

You are indeed correct ‘Jane’, my blog is a reflection of me. Someone with strength, determination and the courage to come online as myself, using no false names or fake addresses.

I am forever grateful and motivated by the positive messages on this blog from those people I know and those I have never met.

I do hope that ‘Jane’ continues to read my blog and all of the fantastically supportive comments.

It is always good to look for the positives in life rather than go looking for the negatives.

I cannot help but sing loudly at this point, ‘Always look on the bright side of life……’

I have always taught children to ‘surround yourself by positive bananas!’. When one banana goes rotten in the bowl, the other bananas quickly go rotten too. Negativity spreads. Hang out with a bunch of happy bananas! Give someone a helping ‘hand of bananas’ and spread happiness and positivity!

'And Still I Rise'.

‘You may write me down in history with your bitter twisted lies. You may trod me in the very dirt,

But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Just like the moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I’ll rise’.

Maya Angelou