Andrew Teale's Message Continued...
I think there is a special place reserved in heaven for those people that give their time voluntarily to hear readers or wash paint trays or bring the teacher the cup of tea they didn’t have time to make themselves. I’m thinking of people like Anne at St Paul’s CE Primary, who has served the school for years and years with countless hours of service. I know lots of schools have trusted volunteers, all of whom I would like to ‘notice’ right here and give thanks for the work they do.
I’ve spoken here before about the support that families give to loved ones who are working in schools. This time of year needs quite a lot of that support as teachers come home later from school and immediately pick up (in a digital sense) the huge pile of reports they are working on. Staff away from home for days on end with residential trips to Arthog or Red Ridge or the Pioneer Centre or London or Manchester or Normandy. This needs a certain level of patience and understanding by those holding the fort back at home. We should notice the importance of that loving support.
I know we are are all mindful of the dangers of ‘the unnoticed’ within our classrooms. I was at Ludlow Primary School yesterday and a young man in year 6 had made some huge progress with his writing. Headteacher, Kate Mather, asked if he could bring some work to show me, so that I would properly notice how well he was doing. It was the most important thing I was asked to do that day and a privilege to witness his fantastic flourishing. I made sure he knew how impressed I was.
Jesus also makes clear what He thinks about children. They are the model to which we should aspire, in many ways. They should be first not last. Jesus rebuked his disciples when they tried to stop the children from coming to see Him.
Noticing someone, noticing the work they do each day. Taking a moment to talk to them, costs nothing but time. But we simply cannot notice everything. As hard as we try, we do not notice all of the struggles that some children face before they come to school. The challenges that many have overcome before they cross our threshold are hard to imagine for most of us. The small and selfless acts of kindness that help us on our way each day. We won’t spot all of them.
So, we do the best we can to treat the people we meet as a powerful Range Rover rather that the small engine little car, that struggles to get up Dinmore Hill. We can also take some comfort in the knowledge that God misses nothing. Not one thing.
Thank you to everyone who gives quiet service to our schools in sometimes, unnoticed ways. Your work is a blessing and makes a positive difference to the lives of countless children.
Prayer for Second Sunday after Trinity
Lord, you have taught us
that all our doings without love are nothing worth:
send your Holy Spirit
and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love,
the true bond of peace and of all virtues,
without which whoever lives is counted dead before you.
Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ’s sake,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
I enjoyed a wonderful visit to Christchurch CE Primary in Cressage, on the northern edge of the diocese this week (thankfully I was in the larger-engine-mini for that journey). The fabulous learning environment was a joy to behold and it was great to meet so many dedicated staff and governors.
My sincere apologies to Headteacher Sam Aiston at Broseley CE Primary, for misinforming him during an online call this week, that there was one full week of term left when there are actually still two.
I’m aware of some staff in our schools who are continuing to work hard while suffering with ill health. Please can we pray together for each individual and for their sustenance, resilience and recovery.
Thank you for everything you are doing in schools across our beautiful diocese.
Blessings and best wishes for a restful weekend.
Andrew
Canon Andrew Teale
Diocesan Director of Education
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