“The great gift of Easter is hope.” – Basil Hume

However, we are all coming to terms with the fact that this is not possible; that we need to live this out day by day; that we cannot pretend that life is as it was; that we need to adjust and accept that we are playing a long game here – whilst remembering to live in the moment. A tall order. Isn’t it odd how we all want to go to work or out for a long walk now we’re told we can’t…….

I wonder how our children will remember this time? What will they take with them from this period of upheaval, of time spent at home, indoors, away from friends? We cannot (and should not) control their thoughts, but we will have a huge impact on the atmosphere in which they are currently living. Our children will pick up on our moods, attitudes and priorities. This does not mean that we have to be perfect – a real danger of some of the posts on social media is their capacity to make us feel inadequate, rather than just human. The viral Youtube post of the family singing their lockdown version of Les Miserables is hugely entertaining – but runs the risk of us wondering why our children can’t sing like that? Why haven’t we organised something so creative?

So – go gently with yourselves and with your children. I remember the 3 day week in the UK in 1974 when electricity was rationed to organisations for only 3 days each week. Domestic power cuts were common. What do I (as a young teenager) remember? I remember playing mahjong with my mother, grandmother and brother. I remember playing the piano by candlelight and making up my own tunes. I remember hooting with laughter. Tough times, but some of my happiest adolescent memories. And when ‘the lights came back on’, my normal education continued – we were not a damaged generation.

We have received many messages of support across the School community from people demonstrating their commitment to The Abbey – thank you. Thank you also to those kind parents who have donated masks and gloves for us to pass on to our medical parents; to those who have sent in boxes of chocolates or biscuits; to those who offered me tinned tomatoes after my last Gateway! This all helps to lift the spirits, to help our teachers to know that they are valued and that the huge efforts they are expending preparing remote learning for next term are appreciated.

I wish you all very well this Easter and hope that you and your families are able to find your way to ‘be’ during this time. A way to live that will enable you to look back and be proud of how you coped; proud that you considered those beyond your home; proud to have supported The Abbey; proud that you allowed yourself, your children and other people to be human.

Take care.

Mrs D-C

‘Peer deeply into yourself. There is a source of strength that will spring up within you, if only you look.’ – Marcus Aurelius

Today is the last day of term. Today the school is almost empty. Today I have had 3 Google Meets and my husband has texted to say he still can’t find any tinned tomatoes to buy. Today – feels very strange.

And yet – this topsy-turvy existence with much of life turned upside down, is, quite quickly, becoming a new normal. A normal that means learning how to do many things differently – things we usually do routinely and without conscious effort. So shopping, exercising, socialising, learning, work – we are all having to find different ways to accomplish these activities. Everyone – children, parents, teachers, colleagues, families – is doing their very best to adapt to the changing situation. I have not yet come across anyone who is not trying their very best and working very hard.

I would ask us all, as we strive to meet the expectations of others and those we place on ourselves, to pause…..

……to offer others and ourselves some compassion and understanding. To keep our expectations realistic and recognise that others, and we, are doing and being what we can. There will be mistakes. There will be bad days as well as golden ones. We will feel angry sometimes, as well as hopeful. Our children will do, and feel, likewise.

To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle.’

– Walt Whitman

This has been a week of enormous upheaval – my thoughts go out to you all, and to your families, friends and colleagues.

As adults, we are trying to manage our emotions, concerns and anxieties in ways that do not scare our children. Few things are as destabilising to a child as knowing that their parents, or other adults who care for them, are upset, unhappy or troubled. As 21st century human beings, we are not familiar with facing things that are seemingly beyond our control, or of dealing with situations that are changing so very rapidly. At this time, our very humanity is exposed. For many, their faith is great support.

However, it is our very humanity that enables us to bring comfort, to act selflessly and for the greater good. To reach out to others with offers of help, and, in turn, to accept it when it is offered. So many of you have emailed in the last few days including messages of thanks, goodwill and support for staff at the School – those words mean a great deal and we thank you for them.

We have spent much time since Wednesday discussing with the girls what the next few weeks might look like for them and how they can continue to find the ingredients of a healthy and meaningful life, albeit in a way that is very different from what they are used to. They are aware that they will be engaging in remote learning during term-time and you will have seen our separate communication about this. We have also talked with the students about their general wellbeing, both physical and emotional, and the need to structure their days. We have spoken with them about the human need for contact with others, and the need we each have for privacy. Undoubtedly there will be challenges at times for families in balancing these things – I know our girls are capable of enormous insights and maturity. Please do not underestimate what they can offer within your family. They will probably surprise you.

In our final assembly today, we talked of what our school actually is and what it means to each of us. The buildings, the uniform, the lessons – these are just structures. So many of the girls said that school for them was about friendship, relationships, community and learning. Although we will not be all together for some time, The Abbey Junior School very much continues and we will do all we can to help you and your daughter continue to feel connected to it.

To that end, I will aim to continue to send a weekly Gateway message to you all for the foreseeable future.

Many long anticipated events have had to be cancelled recently, causing much disappointment. One of those was UI’s Mothers’ Day Lunch, scheduled for today. I am aware that for many families plans for Mothers’ Day this Sunday will have had to be changed and it will be a poignant time for those who are not able to be with their mother or children. We will be thinking of you all.

For now, I will leave you with these words:

‘Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.’ 1 Corinthians

Mrs D-C

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”- Socrates

We considered a different type of Wonder this week – ‘I wonder’ questions. 

Wondering is a vital part of inquiry and drives us to explore, underlying our sense of curiosity. I asked the girls to consider what they wonder about and told them some of my wonderings that Tuesday morning: I wonder 

• If: clouds have a flavour
• How: birds navigate from Europe to Africa (and back again)
• Where: I will go on holiday next year
• Why: Mrs Hurley chose to wear that top today
• What: you would do if there were no teachers in school one day