‘Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one!’ - Doc Brown, Back to the Future…

It has been a busy and enjoyable summer and as usual it has flown by. I found myself being somewhat of a ‘Doc Brown’ from the classic film, Back to the Future, advising my two children about their exciting lives ahead of them.

My daughter received her A-level results and my son his GCSEs, a week apart, in August. It goes without saying that regardless of how your children do in exams, you simply wish them eternal happiness and count your blessings that they have turned out to be very happy and kind individuals.

Their results provoked many thoughts of the wonderful children I have had the honour and privilege to teach, particularly those who started at Trinity in 2005, as they were the first Reception class when the school opened. I wish all of them much success and hope that they experience the happiness that they deserve. They certainly created many memories that bring a smile to my face today. Taking some of them to Romania and splashing in the fountain still has me beaming today.

That same year group shaped the Year Six Dance Umbrella Festivals of the future, with hip hop and incredible back flipping dance moves. We even incorporated some of those thrilling moves into maths times tables presentations in front of the Education Secretary!

‘I guess you guys aren’t ready yet. But your kids are gonna love it!’ - Marty McFly, Back to the Future

These words could well have been my own when Trinity School opened in 2005! The school had just 59 children when the gates were thrown open to their keen and enthusiastic faces, each welcomed with a daffodil bulb to plant as part of a special ceremony.

I smile as I write this as we went on to be an oversubscribed, thriving and popular primary school in Radstock town offering opportunities to families that many remember and still talk about today. Those children flourished, just like the daffodils did and will continue to blossom for many years to come.

It was so heart-warming to meet up with some of the families of Trinity this summer and while they were once parents at a school I served, I can now safely say I consider them to be friends. One such person is Alex. Reminiscing about the annual ‘Fathers Fridays’ at Trinity had us both recalling the hilarious special assemblies that hundreds of dads and male role models took part in. And yes, the children did love it! They were important days in the school calendar in more ways than one. Thank you, Alex, for being the special person that you are and reminding me of so much good that came from the tiny seeds of happiness that we planted.

‘Time flies when you are having fun, remember you are the pilot!’ - Unknown

This summer, when the nation celebrated England winning the Cricket World Cup, I fondly recalled Trinity Sporting Heroes days! One of our kind and hilarious teaching assistants came dressed in full cricketer’s whites and merrily danced around the hall to the famous Test Match Special theme song, Soul Limbo! Happy days!

The Mothers Mondays, Lapland Days, Grounds Days, Maths and Winter Sports Days, our curriculum was alive! Trips to ‘Mrs Hart’s Treasure Chest’, not to mention ‘flying around the world’ in our virtual ‘Trinity Airways’ plane and sometimes stepping back in time to the ‘Land of the Pharaohs’, gave so many of our children the confidence to embrace whatever their futures held. This summer has seen many of them embark on the next chapter of their lives as adults. I wish them well.

One special calendar event is soon upon us and that is the annual Stephen Lawrence Day. This was always held on or around Stephen’s birthday, September 13th. This is a day to remember a young and inspiring person who touched all of our lives. At Trinity we learnt about the tragic and senseless murder of a young man who was just setting out in his young life and was so cruelly taken. Stephen Lawrence was part of our curriculum which was sensitively taught to all of our children. I know the positive impact on so many of the families and community was immense. I will set aside some time this year to remember Stephen and all that he brought to our world. I know many families will too.

This summer has been the start of yet more new chapters for my family. Chapters that have not yet been written. This blog post gives a special nod to the iconic eighties film ‘Back to the Future’ with the character Marty McFly. This character’s name was used by the magnificent British band McFly, which can only mean one thing to me, the Pride of Britain Awards! It is still surreal to think of these four young men gatecrashing assembly in 2008 to announce that I was to be honoured at these very Awards. I am still humbled to be recognised for simply doing a job that I adored and consider to be the best job in the world! Next month sees the twentieth year of the amazing Pride of Britain Awards, yes the twentieth year!

‘Smile to the future and it will smile back at you.’ - Yoko Ono

Some people have asked how I remain so positive and write a blog about my experiences as a headteacher. It is important to demonstrate the power of being able to use social media positively, particularly when so many use it negatively. This is imperative, not just for the children that we influence but also adults.

Many will know that part of my story comes from being bullied on social media and continuing to uncover secret groups online. This blog enables me to capture so much of the past and never forget the difference an excellent school makes in the heart of a community. The history that I helped to create is rich in experiences that helped shape the lives of many. I am proud of all that we achieved. I am learning that the past can help make you stronger and that it is important to look back. Looking back on your journey energises, motivates and encourages you to keep going forward. Exciting times are on the horizon.