Dear GGIS Parents,
As we come to the end of Term 1, today's letter is about what lies behind the picture perfect moments in a school.
We have made our fair share of mistakes, identified areas where we need to improve by leaps and bounds, and had some very humbling moments along the way. While we celebrate through our picture perfect posts on social media, as a school team, we constantly reflect on what we could have done better and how we can keep improving.
On Saturday, a teacher wrote this to me in a Slack DM:
“Ma'am, you remember I complained that I am unable to manage my classroom? But I am sharing this as we are on the verge of completing Term 1. These are my kids! They have shown immense growth in terms of values and togetherness!
I am tearing up a bit while sharing this, but I am glad that I am at GGIS, where I can be ME!”
This message came after the completion of a Shakti in-service initiative that her students had undertaken to serve the elderly and make their Diwali a little more special.
She shared a video of what the children did, how they pulled it off, and what made it particularly special was seeing her class come together as ONE.
So, what did I learn from her reflection?
Good things take time. And time is the one thing we sometimes forget to give.
To our children, our teams, our people and sometimes, even our spouses.
So for anyone to grow and flourish, whether it is a child finding their feet in a classroom or ourselves working towards a fitness goal, consistently pouring in time and energy makes a difference. The results may not always be visible on the days we put in the effort, but that does not mean growth isn't happening.
Sometimes, we are so caught up in wanting things to change that we forget to give change the time it needs.
At school too, we often remind ourselves that growth is not always loud or visible.
Perhaps, the same is true at home as well.
This Diwali, may we make room for fewer perfect moments and more meaningful ones.
Because long after the photographs have faded into our camera rolls and the likes on our Instagram posts have been forgotten, what stays with us is the time we have given one another. Perhaps, that is our most precious asset, and the one thing that truly lasts.
Wishing you and your families a beautiful Diwali filled with warmth, laughter and togetherness.