Two steps forward, one step back.

I would like to start by wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I trust that you have had a restful and enjoyable Winter Break.

It’s been quite a first week back. One which has not been without its challenges for the entire community. What has struck me most has been the overwhelming sense of positivity and kindness that has pervaded every part of the school. Some of you have remarked to me that ‘we have been here before’ and therefore better equipped to respond to change with renewed agility and calm. There are always moments too where we simply need to take pause and remind ourselves that we are all doing the very best we can to ensure that our students are able to come to school, be safe and healthy and enjoy every opportunity that is available. Of course, when we are no longer taking part in ECA’s or PE lessons it appears we are taking a step backwards. However, we have made so much progress in the past two years that we should be reassured that this is temporary and we will soon be able to re-establish that sense of momentum in the face of redefined normality.

As a secondary school, we have, so far, been fortunate. We have remained open and able to continue with face to face learning. However, this is an evolving situation and one which, as we have seen over the space of a week, can very quickly change. As a school we all want to have all our students in school. We also want all our staff to be in school, be they teachers, learning support assistants, site staff and so on. This is the same for all schools, for all businesses and industries in Dubai and contextually we will all have different ‘tipping points’ where one can remain open and another has to close. We will, of course, monitor the situation carefully and ensure that at all times the health and safety of all our community comes first and any changes which are required will always be communicated. Should your child be working remotely at this moment could I ask you to read the guidelines contained in the junction which will be helpful.

At such times, I am reminded of the old idiom ‘Two steps forward, one step back’. It's perhaps an odd expression, but one which had resonated with me over the past week. In some ways it reminds me of learning, in that it is not a linear progression. That making progress towards achieving something is not always going to be positive progress, and that there may well be minor set-backs along the way. Nevertheless, the notion of “two steps forward, one step back” implies a ‘net progression’ of one step. There may well be obstacles that impede our goals but that these are natural and should not discourage us from remaining both persistent and positive in our outlook. Instead, the idiom promotes the idea that whilst some progress will be sacrificed in order to overcome difficulties, in the long run, it will be worth it. We need not worry that every setback that appears should indicate something is wrong, for as long as we’re making progress on the whole, we can trust we are doing just fine.

My son, who is studying Japanese told me about a proverb that says “fall seven times, stand up eight”. I think I prefer this in many ways, as we might suffer some knockbacks in life, we simply need to stand up one more time. It reminds me of the importance of resilience and inspiration. They are fundamental to Jebel Ali School and the values we hold dear.

I trust you have a safe and enjoyable weekend ahead.

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