Since the first lockdown began a year ago in 2020, and as the nation reflects on the collective loss of this pandemic over the past twelve months, we came together as a school community this week to pause and think. Our minds turned to supporting those who have been bereaved, and to be thankful for those critical workers who, early on, put their lives in jeopardy and worked tirelessly day after day for our health, our transport, our food and our security.

In observing a minute’s silence to mark Tuesday’s National Day of Reflection and through lighting candles on our doorsteps in the evening, our thoughts turned to those who had lost loved ones and who may not have been able to pay tribute to them in the way in which they had wanted. In our school assemblies, we discussed what we have learned about ourselves through the past year’s turmoil. 

As school leaders, we have witnessed the resilience of our young students and their families combatting what truly was a perfect storm of uncertainty and insecurities around their daughters’ continued learning. We saw our teachers and supporting colleagues stretch their practices to adapt to new, meaningful ways of teaching, in order to do even more for the young learners in our care. As COVID tested our strength, we rose.

We witnessed friends and colleagues take time to contemplate: what do we want from life and what is important? Working from home afforded some the ability to slow down their lives and think about how to spend their time. As a school, we had to work even harder to ensure our students’ learning was best supported from a distance. We gained the perspective that we are a global community with the entire world going through this health crisis together – a first for most of our lifetimes. As COVID shifted our thinking, we looked inward.

We witnessed gratitude. Many of our simple joys disappeared: simple hugs and handshakes. In-person get-togethers. Live music, theatre and dance on stage. The gym or swimming pool. A plane ride. Shopping without the need to wear a face mask or maintain distance – all things we previously took for granted went missing. Instead, we recognised the need for human connection, culture and self-care as ways to feed our souls. As COVID shifted our needs, we simplified.

We witnessed humanity. Clapping and clanging of pots in our front gardens at 8pm to thank our NHS and other key workers. Neighbours checking in on each other. Friends taking care of aging parents. Frustrations and protests growing for equity with #BLM. Most of us felt something for ourselves and for others – we realised we were connected. As COVID expanded our ability to feel, we cared more about each other.

My sincere hope, as our lives move beyond COVID and we rebuild our school back to a semblance of ‘normal’, is that we remember our year of learning and maintain our ability to rise together in the unique way in which humanity demanded. Our whole school community has, without a doubt, been greater than the sum of its parts.

Nisha Kaura, Head of the Abbey Junior School