As I settle into my favorite khmer couch that has traveled thousands of miles from Cambodia, I contemplate on this week’s learner profile focus in Key stage 3. I’m reminded of a quote by Robby Novak who is an American media personality best known for portraying Kid President on YouTube and on television. “You don't need a cape to be a hero, you just need to care”. This was also what we asked our students to ponder on, in our weekly assembly this week.
We all say we care- I care. Let’s be honest, do we actually? How many times have we seen a colleague looking troubled and genuinely asked, “ Are you ok?”. How many times do we see our peers sitting alone in the playground and say “ Would you like to hang out with us?” How many times have we asked our parents, “ Can I help?” How many times have we asked our children,” Tell me about your day?” Our answers might surprise us.
Let's look around now and see how difficult and challenging our lives have become. The only thing that's tangible is change and uncertainty. Bringing with it new struggles for everyone; our children, our teachers, school leaders, our parents and our support staff. Managing our relationships, work and studies has become paramount for us as a community and caring for each other and one self, indispensable to our success and wellbeing.
Everyone deals with change and the stresses of life differently. Acknowledging and accepting this is the first step towards showing we really care. Here are some ways we as adults and children can show that we care-truly care:
Be aware - that change is constant and everyone both teachers and children are dealing with unpredictability and the new norm of social distancing, wearing masks and hybrid learning. Acknowledge everyone's efforts.
Be kind - to your teachers, colleagues, peers, students and parents by thinking about your words and actions and what effect they might have on the other person. Everyone is dealing with issues and problems we know nothing about.
Be realistic- The goals and expectations we had regarding school, teachers, curriculum and life before covid will now need to be tweaked to adjust to changing times.
Communicate- Reach out to a family member, a trusted friend or teacher when you are feeling anxious or feeling uncared for. Listen to your friend , colleague or partner as they share their thoughts and feelings.
Self Care- Exercise whenever you can, reduce social media and surround yourself with people you care about. Affirmations every morning can do wonders and if nothing else works snuggle into your favorite nook with a good book and warm beverage.
At BCB, we are not just part of a small community but a larger family of 70 schools around the globe. Each school in this family has been facing challenges but one school has particularly been struggling with both the pandemic and political unrest- our sister school in Myanmar.
Key stage 3 students with the guidance of their form tutors are coming together to create a special video message for their peers in the British School of Yangon with motivational messages in multiple languages. A small way of showing we care, but I’m positive that it will uplift the spirits of those students, as soon as they press ‘play’ on that video message.
The British school Yangon, Myanmar
This week, I leave you with this question of caring, though considered trivial, yet so crucial to all our wellbeing, as parents, educators and students. A simple Bom Dia or a thank you, is all it takes sometimes to show we really care as, “ without a sense of caring there cannot be a community” (Cult of Pedagogy Podcast).
