From the Principal
Wish you were here…
Having just read through this bumper edition of our Newsletter, a number of recurring themes emerge, but the key point that leaps out, however, is that you probably don’t need a long piece from me!
The real message comes from our outstanding team of teachers, who miss your children deeply. Arlington is all about the life, energy and joy generated by the children themselves and working in their absence feels strangely flat.
I want to commend the commitment, professional passion and willingness of our teachers to expose themselves to you as fearless learners, who were not experts in this new world of distant learning. Every one of our staff at Arlington has taken this challenge to heart with a seriousness and determination to learn, to adjust and adapt. Each of them seeks to find ways to protect and build the underlying relationships that give life and meaning to their roles as teachers.
Some of our teachers, just like your children, are camera shy. They carry the weight of their own families and loved ones, just as your families do; they sometimes struggle with putting on a brave face and managing their own children, some of whom are also at home.
This Newsletter is clearly far too long for anyone to have time to sit down and read from cover to cover. As Cressida has pointed out about the online program, you don’t have to use it all, but it is there for you to take from it what you need. Feedback, response, adaptation and improvement create an exhilarating cycle that leads to success for all of us. That’s what we are aiming for.
We are very aware that, for many parents, you have not chosen to be teachers and are finding this new, additional role hard. Please be assured that if you need to have your child at Arlington, they will be welcomed and their safety taken very seriously. Please also feel welcome and
encouraged to reach out to your child’s teachers, to Amir or to me if you believe we can help you. It’s tough out there.
Just a word about Cressida; less than a term into her new position as acting Head of Campus, Cressida was confronted by this unexpected aspect of her role. No-one works harder and she has shown herself to be a truly inspirational, innovative and compassionate leader. Cressida, you make us proud.
Marilyn Smith
Principal