From The Head Apparently it is a myth that there is an ancient Chinese curse which goes, ‘may you live in interesting times’. This well-known saying may not have ancient origins, but for the past months we have had much cause to understand the sentiment. These have been ‘interesting’ times indeed. I cannot envisage any previous edition of KonnEctionS that has sprung from such strange and unusual circumstances. A school empty of people for the duration of the summer term (except those wonderful hardy children who have been here daily, including holidays, as their parents help the nation in key professional roles). Lessons, clubs, pastoral care all taking place through a computer screen to students spread across the county. No sports day, no concerts or plays, no trips or visits. All have been swept away by the coronavirus lockdown. So, is this truly a curse of interesting times? It has been challenging, undoubtedly. It has been wearying, and unsettling. It has been uncomfortable. But I reject the idea that it has been a curse. When I read through this edition of KonnEctionS, what I see is innovation, inspiration, resilience, creativity, fortitude. Coronavirus
has closed our school site, but it has not stopped our school. Our staff, seasoned professionals and experts in their craft, have adapted. Our pupils, thirsty for knowledge and new experiences, have risen to the challenge. Things have been different, but they have remained rich and rewarding. Who would have thought, just a few short months ago, that teachers would be able to create fascinating filmed assemblies celebrating their own lives away from school and exploring the big issues facing us as individuals and as a community? Who would have thought that dozens of co-curricular clubs and societies covering sports, the arts, culture and academia would spring up during lockdown? Who could have envisaged a school where the entirety of the academic programme could be delivered without a single person needing to leave their own home, but in which individual lessons would still be taught ‘live’ by each classroom teacher? Even away from our core educational purpose, who would have dreamt that we would become a cottage industry, making hundreds of face masks and protective clothing for the NHS? And who would have thought that this entire,
radical transformation would be planned and implemented with practically no prior warning, and over the course of a single working week in March! I write this from my office on a school day when we have about fifty Lower Sixth students back in school. It is the very first week when this has been permitted. Next week, our Fourth Year will be coming back. Teachers are back on site, teaching their lessons to these year groups, whilst still ensuring that the rest of our students continue to thrive through remote provision. Another week, another twist, another challenge conquered by my wonderful colleagues and the pupils. So, there is just a hint of recovery in the air. There is a sense of optimism for a return to ‘normality’. But regardless of what the future holds, KES has endured, and even thrived, during these ‘interesting’ times. Not cursed, but blessed by the people who have made this possible. I very much hope that you are inspired when you read this edition of KonnEctionS. I certainly am. Neal Parker Head
King Edward VI School Wilton Road . Southampton . Hampshire SO15 5UQ Telephone: 023 8070 4561
www.kes.hants.sch.uk