If you can be anything, be kind

I don’t know who first said these words, but they seem really apt today. I’m writing this blog after reading news of the attack on people outside of a Synagogue in Manchester today. That such a thing can happen within our wider Greater Manchester community is shocking to say the least, and my thoughts are with all those affected whether directly or indirectly. I am also very aware that there a people from many different backgrounds and faiths who are feeling anxious at the moment, for a variety of reasons, and my thoughts are with them too.

If you or your child/ward are concerned about this event, or indeed any of the other troubling events in the world at the moment, and you would like guidance on how to speak to them then the Local Authority have produced a helpful guide. It is called ‘Supporting children in an uncertain world‘ and can be found near the bottom of the page here.

I do not share my political views in school and rightly so. My job, and that of our staff, is to educate young people so that they can make up their own minds, free from undue influence in school. But that doesn’t mean we cannot try to instil in people the good values of tolerance and respect – and to promote the most powerful quality of all – being kind.

Take care,

Joe Barker

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