Crying in your hands? They were...

Article written and presented by Carrie Prior, 18 October 2020.

'I was asked to talk to you today about my role in the Diocese of Chelmsford. I work as the Schools Team Leader and School Adviser to the Education Department. I joined them over 2 years ago following a period of 6 years as a Headteacher. I had no idea this role was in my journey, I was called in this direction and I answered, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I have the privilege of serving 139 schools across a Diocese that spans several Local Authorities, that provides education for over 32,000 children and young people and is incredibly diverse from inner urban areas to rural villages to coastal towns. We have schools that serve mono-cultural communities while others serve multicultural ones; we witness a range of socio-economic status from the wealthy to the poor. Among all these riches and challenges we find over 120 Executive Headteachers, Headteachers and Heads of Schools working tirelessly to serve their communities. It is them I wish to focus on this morning. The leaders, the quiet heroes going about their daily job in what have been some of the most challenging circumstances over the past 8 months.

In our reading from Luke this morning we are reminded of the 72 disciples sent out by Jesus on a spiritual mission, urgently sharing a powerful message. All hands are needed for the work; they are urged not to waste time with lengthy greetings or fuss about their food or shelter but to get on with the job at hand, healing and preaching. They overcame any of their personal fears or concerns and set out, doing as they were told and serving the people and communities in great need.

As I listen to this I cannot help but draw comparisons to the work I see our school leaders undertaking on a daily basis. Let’s take ourselves back to March this year. To the fear and uncertainty that surrounded a virus we knew very little about, to the feelings and emotions it stirred up within us when we were told life as we knew it was over for the time being and lockdown was upon us. I know of Headteachers who sat alone in their offices when this call was made, and held their heads in their hands as the overwhelming impact of schools closing hit them. I know Headteachers who cried at the enormity of what was happening.

You see our Church schools aren’t just places of education. They are places of security, of safety, of hope. They are the place where a child can receive a hot meal, where an adult takes the time to ask how they are feeling and how their day has gone. They may be the place where a parent can share their struggles or the team the family lean on in times of crisis. They are the glue that can hold a community together, the daily contact with a lonely adult, the shoulder to cry on when times are tough. As the reality of school closure loomed large the senior leaders knew a new challenge was placed at their feet.

Learning how to serve their community in this different world was an entirely new challenge. Suddenly pupils they saw every day were no longer in contact and had to be supported, educated and cared for at arm’s length. The most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and the children of key workers were invited back into school as a brand new way of teaching and learning was adapted, practically overnight. Headteachers grappled with which members of staff needed to shield while creating rotas for those who could work face to face. Covid guidelines led to huge changes in classrooms, shared areas and toilet facilities. The rush for hand gel and paper towels was on.

It is without doubt that schools rose to the challenge and went above and beyond what was expected of them. Weekly phone calls to every family, zoom calls to classes, daily online lessons, stationary and resource drop offs and food parcels delivered directly to families front doors. Once June rolled around the expectations were raised and the schools adapted again, extending their offer to additional year groups, with some Headteachers making sure every pupil got some time back in the building before the summer holidays came.

It wasn’t long before September was here and all our pupils were back at school. Much to the joy of the relieved parents who finally understood the pressures of educating children, especially when they belong to you! And so where do we find ourselves today? Each week I watch and listen with awe as I see first-hand the way in which our schools are working. Pupils are so pleased to be back, and empty buildings are once again filled with the sound of happiness and laughter. Teachers value the time with their classes like never before and Headteachers understand they have played a central role in one of the most testing experiences our country has been through.

Jesus tells the disciples ‘I am sending you out like lambs among wolves’. I wonder how many of our teachers and key workers feel completely overpowered by this virus? Who feel exhausted and afraid for what comes next but still wake up, don their uniforms and head onto the front line to care for those people who are hurt or are in need. In times like these we often have to find new ways to do God’s work, creative ways that require thinking outside the box and knowing that the old ways of doing things might not work. Schools have done just that. They’ve adapted, evolved and developed new systems and approaches while keeping the challenge of serving their communities at the heart of it all.

As we sit here in Church together we may relate to the feelings of those lambs sent out among the wolves. We may listen with trepidation as we learn the new rules of Tier 2 and the impact of not seeing our families and loved ones as much over the coming weeks. Just as when Jesus sent out the disciples, all hands are needed on deck, to support, to care and to spread the message of the gospel. Whoever we are, whatever we do as part of our Church family, our role is an important one. We must try to visibly live out our faith, to serve those around us, to be bringers of hope and to continue to share the powerful message of Christian love and service. So today, let us go out with joy and lead forward with peace'.