Dear Friends,

 

When I was a teacher, I used to hate the fact that no sooner had the long summer holidays begun than signs would appear all over the shops proclaiming ‘Back to school!’

(No doubt the children felt even more strongly about this reminder of the inevitable.) The first sighting of blackberries always signified that days of leisure and freedom would soon be at an end, and so they have always, for me, been tinged with a certain melancholy, delicious though they are.

 

A new school year, however, always brings with it a sense of excitement: the anticipation of new discoveries, and the prospect of unsuspected potential which will blossom into achievement. It is especially exciting for Wraxall C. of E. Primary School this September, as we welcome our new Headteacher, Mrs. Cathy Cowell. Cathy brings great gifts into her new post, and we wish her happiness and fulfilment as she comes into our community. All the best to staff, children and everyone involved in the life of our school as a new year begins.

 

Learning is, of course, a lifelong activity, of which school-days are only a prelude. Realising the power of education to empower human beings and to help them achieve their potential, the Christian Church has always been at the forefront of initiatives in education, whether of children or of adults. The Jesuits may have boasted about the vital importance of learning for age 1 – 7, but it was the encouragement of working people to read and write by Non-Conformists such as the early Methodists, and by Anglicans with a social conscience, which helped to create a society in which there were more equal opportunities for all. Nowadays, thanks to the internet, knowledge of all kinds is so much more freely available – and of course, there are libraries, radio, and the occasional good TV programme to inform us.

 

Whether, and how, we choose to use these resources, is up to us. It may take some effort to get your head around an issue of current affairs – especially if you look beyond the headlines and try to plough through the small print. There may be something you’ve always wanted to know about, or a foreign language you’d like to learn, or a new skill to acquire. September is a good time to enrol for an Adult Education course and discover your hidden potential (it’s never too late!). There will be two opportunities in the parish to do some learning and thinking: ‘Take a Look’, which will have its first autumn meeting at the Rectory on Tuesday 21^st September. 7.30 pm.,  (considering a recently published book, The Saints’ Guide to Happiness); and a day-time group meeting at Sparsholt (the home of Jacquie and Alec Ewens) which will give people an opportunity to understand other world faiths and to reflect on their own faith. Further details about both groups are available on request.

 

What potential in yourself will you discover this autumn?

 What form will your ‘adult education’ take?

‘If you don’t want to lose it, use it’ (that could apply to your gently resting brain….!)

We really ought to make the most of every opportunity – let’s not leave learning to the children.

Ah well, I guess it’s back to school again…..

 

With love,

Rosey