Children can now relax and enjoy the summer

My brother and I write as Maidonians of long-standing, members of the community and principals of Claires Court.

As school term draws to a close across the country in whatever virtual or physical format that may take at the moment, we wanted to take this opportunity to share our thoughts.

None of us could have guessed the depth and breadth of the challenge we were going to face. Families need worry not for their children’s education. What is most important is their wellbeing and happiness; their childhood, which we hope will be enjoyed as summer holidays begin.

We know it’s been a high pressure situation for many households as we all juggle work, home-schooling, health and other issues during lockdown, but schools will return and children will bounce back to their studies.

As education professionals, we, like all schools, will provide the best education and wellbeing in the safest way possible.

It may not be as restful a summer holiday as usual for teachers as they plan and adapt to frequent new guidelines and prepare for full return in autumn.

But we want to urge all families to enjoy the summer as they can and support children to be happy and ready for a return to school.

If we may be allowed via this letter, we wish to pay tribute to our own staff at Claires Court, the majority of whom are also Maidonians, and express our sincerest thanks at the end of a summer term like no other. We were fortunate to be able to bring all our nursery, junior year pupils and some senior students back to school in June and

could provide online classrooms throughout the lockdown period – we know this is down to the immense support, professionalism and dedication to education of our own team.

You have put the children in our school first. You have not just gone the extra mile, gigabyte or screen-time, you have travelled with a love for your calling and a deep concern for others with whom you work.

As members of the local community and professionals in the education sector, we admire all the teachers, support and care staff working across the borough.

We have lived the crisis with you, and although we can't know what you've been through individually, we can at least imagine and draw on our personal experiences.

And we all know that each of us have had to summon the best of our reserves and reach for the reserve tanks too.

Our children and families are now able to enjoy ‘Schools’ Out’, as come what may, childhood dreams also are unlocked by summer fun and activities, holidays too maybe.

At least now they can meet up with wider generations in their families, from whom lockdown for many kept them very separated and for some, isolated perhaps too much. We hope everyone can get some form of break and recharge before we go again in September when we will be ready to welcome all our existing and new families. HUGH and JAMES WILDING

Principals, Claires Court