Finally, I have got round to sharing this splendid letter with you. It was sent out from a local primary school in March of last year when school was cancelled for the day because of heavy snow:-
In a world where children are faced with far more don't's than do's, it was most uplifting to find a headteacher asking children to go out and enjoy the snow. Perhaps he was remembering his own childhood and the fun he had in wintertime. There's affection and a real understanding of what it means to be a child in that letter.
It is easy to imagine a different school warning children about the hazards of playing in the snow. Advising them in a curmudgeonly way to stay safe and to complete homework tasks designed to fill an unexpected day off.
I wonder what OFSTED - the government's school inspection department - would make of Mr Stewart's letter. Their bristling condemnation would probably explode like Chernobyl.
I wonder what OFSTED - the government's school inspection department - would make of Mr Stewart's letter. Their bristling condemnation would probably explode like Chernobyl.
That's a wonderful letter! Physical exercise, enjoying the weather and making memories are all important in life.
ReplyDeleteYes. It's not all about school grades.
DeleteThat is beautiful and heartening.
ReplyDeleteI guess you don't get many "snow days" in northern Florida.
DeleteThat really is lovely, and as you said, shows warmth toward and understanding of children.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's the same in Nova Scotia, but in recent years in Great Britain, schooling has been largely about achieving results and targets under tight scrutiny.
DeleteI love that. How important it is to take the time to simply enjoy being a child in an unstructured and naturally fun way. Children have to grow up far too quickly these days.
ReplyDeleteAnd they are often locked indoors for their own safety. We all need a bit of freedom - even children.
DeleteA lovely letter written by the headmaster...
ReplyDeleteBut we also hope that the parents had the good commonsense to suggest similar to their children...at home...seeing school was cancelled.
Nowadays far too often, in many instances, "parenting" is loaded onto a teacher's already busy agenda.
How things have changed over the years...when we were kids it was difficult to keep us inside; and we never needed any urging to read books...we loved reading and had books by the score.
Did you ever have "snow days" in Queensland?
DeleteYes...there is snow at times, in some areas in the south-western areas of Queensland, Yorkie...out in what is known as the "Granite Belt" - around the Stanthorpe area.
DeleteAnd there have been times that sleet has been experienced in south-east Queensland...as far north as the Sunshine Coast...and rare times in Gympie, too. And snow from the piece of trivia I've given at the end of this comment.
But when we were kids come snow, sleet, hail, rain or shine...we were always outside playing
Below is a snippet of Queensland history....
"Queensland's history—1800s
1898
A great drought begins and lasts until 1903 (five years).
Sleet and snow is recorded in George Street, Brisbane (23 July)."
Well you have taught me something my learned friend. I never thought that Queensland would have ever experienced snow.
DeleteThat is a wonderful letter. It's nice to find someone with a sense of perspective.
ReplyDelete