The build up to Christmas is such a privilege to be a part of in a primary school. Bustling, exciting, cheerful, yes occasionally a teeny bit stressful, but definitely a time that we treasure as a staff group. After all, we get to help create some of the magic and memories that are such a big part of childhood.
There have been so many standout moments so far: the Christmas tree decoration service, the Christmas workshops run by Hugh Barnes our lovely parent governor from Kea church, Christmas parties, the Christmas Fayre, the wonderful nativity last week and our KS2 carol concert on Thursday night. All of these events hopefully contribute to creating those all-important memories for the children and families of our community.
A huge thank you to the staff, parent volunteers and family support that have helped us to do this.
Of course, Christmas can also be a challenging time for many.
On a personal basis, my family and I are currently gearing up to face our first Christmas without my dad. I know there will be many of you that have also lost people this year, in years gone by, or are readying yourselves to say goodbye to loved ones, and Christmas is one of those emotive times of year that can mean that loss and grief are more keenly felt.
There will be other families and children- in our community and beyond- that have different struggles which will likely become more intense over the Christmas period.
One of the most wonderful things about the Christmas period is that it provides opportunity for us to all look after each other. In my favourite book, ‘A Christmas Carol’, Charles Dickens writes:
“I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys.”
In that spirit, we want you to know that we are here as safe place if there are things that will be challenging for you or your family over the Christmas period.
Below, are a series of links that might prove useful for a variety of issues that could be linked to those challenges. Alongside this, please feel free to email me directly if you need any specific signposting over the Christmas holidays. I will be checking my emails frequently and if you put the word ‘urgent’ in the subject line I will do my best to get back to you on the day.
mbarritt@kea.cornwall.sch.uk
We wish you a happy, peace-filled Christmas and look forward to welcoming you back to school in the new year on Monday 5th January.
“God Bless us, everyone!”
Samaritans: 116 123 Contact Us | Samaritans
Freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Coping with financial worries - NHS
Truro Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis
Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline
