The importance of ‘ordinary extraordinary’ role models
The past 18 months have amplified teenage anxieties and self-doubt. With vaccines in arms and the chronically scary stage of the pandemic hopefully over, there remains uncertainty around exams, university education, career prospects, travel and social gatherings.
During the lockdowns, it was important to show young learners the promise beyond the horizon. In school we found sessions about university study and careers well received and well attended, particularly where recent leavers or alumni were presenting. Students could relate to and visualise the ‘normal’ paths taken. As a head, I enjoyed seeing this.
Devices and phones have been crucial for the young in the past 18 months as they were desperate for connection and social time. I suspect much of what we are seeing now is a response to that, as teenagers will have seen more images of ‘perfection’ on social media rather than the ‘normal’ role models in teachers or other members of their communities. In recent weeks at school, we have therefore gone big on introducing ‘ordinary extraordinary’ people.
ENSURING GOOD COMES OUT OF BAD
Paralympian and MBE Claire Harvey, who now advises on diversity and inclusion, presented a powerful speech day address at the school, describing the impact of a life-changing accident on her physically and mentally, and how she was approached about being a member of the 2012 Paralympic volleyball team. Her openness and vulnerability showed what can be achieved by the human spirit.
Ultimately her story is about the importance of working collaboratively, being there for others and knowing that other people are going through the same thing.
Her courage was breathtaking and parents and pupils alike were keen to share their admiration but were also inspired to talk about how this related to them.
AIMING FOR A BIGGER GOAL
The power of self-belief was evident in Rachel Smith, an unassuming non-athlete who wasn’t sporty at school, who spoke to our junior school about how visualising and preparation made the extraordinary possible. She enjoyed kayaking and dragon boat racing and discovered with hard work she had a talent for paddle sports. Rachel was inspired by Debra Searle, who had rowed the Atlantic solo. With Debra’s encouragement, Rachel and a friend Lin, rowed across the Atlantic Ocean to raise funds for the Breast Cancer Care -— 76 days, 11 hours and 12 minutes later they had completed the challenge.
I was struck by the emotional response from parents and pupils. Many in the audience were prompted to consider their own life, goals and often selfimposed limits. If Rachel could row the Atlantic, fighting fear, the high seas and storms, then it rendered their current challenges somehow mundane.
Through many conversations with teenagers I have seen the power of involving them in a new or bigger challenge. A task where you have to overcome doubt is time-consuming; it requires the help of friends or mentors and it distracts from whatever else might be troubling you. Charlie Walker, an adventurer who specialises in human-powered expeditions, has also shown us just that — to succeed, he had to suspend anything that wasn’t in the moment. Like all good explorers, he ended up knowing the world but also himself better.
All these ordinary extraordinary people are relatable, they are both capable and able to be vulnerable. These people and those like them are the role models to present to our young people right now, as they desperately need to feel that ‘normal’ is enough.
Lara Pechard is head at St Margaret’s School in Bushey, Herts, an independent day and boarding school for ages two to 18