Flying the flags.

When we state that schools are microcosms of society, when we purport that our environment is truly inclusive and diverse, we must give considered thought to the authenticity of this claim; is it factual or aspirational?

At our school, we are presently, the latter.

Schools are not in a position to stake their claim that they have completed the DIEJ journey, that they have the answers, that they are, by very definition of the policies that they have, fully inclusive, entirely diverse, totally equitable and resoundingly just environments. A school that does this contradicts the very notion of the movement at hand.

What does paper matter if nothing is put into practice?

If schools are not willing to confront the brutal facts, if they are not prepared to look into the mirror and consider where they are on their journey in this most delicate space, if schools believe they have done enough, they will fail.

In the rush to claim that inclusion and diversity, equity and justice exist in every facet of our environments, school's run the risk of diluting the very thing our young people need; an innate understanding of how society works, how people evolve, how we think, how we exist and how we grow - together.

When we raised the flags of our community this week, we did so with deliberate intent.

We raised the first flag for our Gemeinde, our local council, Zumikon. To honour culture, history, place and time.

We raised the second flag for our mission, our determination to always reach for more, to strive for greatness, to never stop.

We raised the third flag for our Canton, Zurich. To honour this city with its vibrant inter-cultural history and all of our families.

We raised the fourth flag, our name. To honour our identity, who we truly are.

These flags, like all flags that are proudly waved by the people who so choose to hoist them, mark the beginning of our journey of discovery in the space of inclusion, diversity, equity and justice at our school.

We have much to learn, and we are excited by it, but one thing our school will never do, will never accept, is that we know and have done enough.