"I embrace each day with gratitude, finding joy and fulfillment in every moment."
Hello all.
Today was one of those exciting days that only working in a school, especially a Catholic one, can offer. From the early morning to the quiet evening at home with Fearne, it was a day filled with purpose, reflection, and rewarding moments. Let’s dive into it!
As usual, I began the day with my Wim Hof deep breathing exercises, a cold shower, and a bit of meditation. These practices set me in the perfect frame of mind for what was to come. I drove to school today because I knew it was going to be a busy one, and I needed the energy to keep up with everything happening throughout the day.
Our morning started with a school assembly, which this week was led by the Year Four class. It was always a joy to see the children take on such leadership roles. I had the task of streaming the assembly online for parents who were unable to attend in person. It’s such a rewarding feeling to help bridge that gap and allow parents to still feel involved in these special moments.
After the assembly, I helped the music teacher set up the hall for their music lesson. The hall needed 9 tables and a set of chairs, and after clearing the room, I set everything up in time for the class. It was a nice, peaceful task amidst the hustle and bustle of the morning.
This afternoon, the real excitement began. All the Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, and Year 6 students were going on a pilgrimage. Our school, situated on the outskirts of town, is a 45 minute walk from Hartlepool town centre, where we were walking to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church. This year, the church was celebrating an "open doors" event, inviting people to visit churches worldwide and engage in prayer and self-reflection. It was part of a larger theme: being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
Before we embarked on our pilgrimage, I spent the morning updating the attendance records for the Appropriate Body briefings. It’s essential to keep these records accurate, and it felt great to see that we had reached 84% of our targets. It was a small but vital part of the process that helps our team track the progress we’ve made in helping teachers develop their careers. Over 1,200 people have been briefed so far, and I am so proud to be a part of that.
Once the administrative tasks were completed, it was time for lunch. I then had the privilege of being in charge of a group of 10 children for the pilgrimage. We set off on our walk to the church, stopping along the way to say short prayers and reflect on our journey. I could sense that the children were excited but also thoughtful about the meaning of the pilgrimage.
When we arrived at the church, I was in awe. The decorations for the “open doors” celebration were absolutely stunning, and it was a breath-taking experience to step inside. This was my first pilgrimage, and it was something I will remember for a long time. The church was a place of peace and reflection, a true sanctuary that made me pause and reflect on the theme of hope that runs so deeply through our faith.
Once we arrived, we participated in a service specially arranged for the children, followed by hymns and moments of rest. We also had the opportunity to leave positive messages around the church as part of the celebrations. It felt incredibly special to be part of such a significant event.
After the service it was time to begin our walk back to school. I was at the back of the group, ensuring all the children stayed safe and on track. By this point, some of the children were quite tired, and I had to help them stay motivated and make sure they returned safely to the school. The whole walk back was a wonderful experience, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I knew that for many of these children, this would be a memory they would carry with them for a long time.
We arrived back at school by 4:30 PM, with the last few children being picked up right away. I was pleased to see them head home, likely to rest after such a full day. For me, it was time to head home too. I had the evening to myself with Fearne, as Juli and her boys were at the Newcastle Falcons rugby match. We treated ourselves to sweets from the shop and spent the evening watching funny kids' programmes on Netflix, ending the day with laughter and joy.
It was a lovely end to a truly fantastic day. The pilgrimage was a new and deeply meaningful experience for me, and I’m so grateful to have been part of it. Seeing the children embrace the experience with such enthusiasm and curiosity reminded me of the importance of being present and open to new experiences.
#SchoolLife #PilgrimsOfHope #CatholicSchool #TeacherJourney #Gratitude #FaithAndReflection #TeachingWithPurpose #FamilyTime #PilgrimageExperience #Education #Inspiration
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