The Harrodian Heartbeat - a first post in a new collection of uplifting and thought-provoking blogs, written by those who echo the pulse of Harrodian life, and curated by the Deputy Head, Mr David Sanders.
One Step at a Time: Walking towards the future
There is something quietly powerful about the image of a young person walking into the early morning light. The photograph above, taken by a parent this week, captures a moment that feels familiar to us all; the feeling of quiet anticipation that a morning brings, but also the subtle reassurance of belonging.
What struck me about this photograph, apart from the inescapable beauty of the school site, was the irony it evokes. Our school is usually alive with chatter, laughter and movement; yet in this solitary frame, a lone figure making her way through the fog still manages to elicit feelings of excitement, empathy, and connection. It was a reminder that even in moments of quiet, the spirit and strength of our community is still very much present.
It was a reminder that even in moments of quiet, the spirit and strength of our community is still very much present
What transformed this from a nice photograph into something I wanted to share was the curiosity it sparked about the student’s mind as she made her way into school. A routine task, guided by muscle memory, yet accompanied by the freedom to start the day tentatively, or with bold, confident intentions. A freedom made possible by the safety of her environment.
Maybe that is why this picture had such an impact. It has been a visual prompt that progress is rarely about giant leaps, but rather the countless steps along the way where individuals have the opportunity to grow
At school, we often speak about resilience and the value of ‘showing up’. In a world that sometimes feels unpredictable, whether through rapid technological change, global events that fill our headlines, or the pressures many families feel closer to home, it can be daunting to think too far ahead. Maybe that is why this picture had such an impact. It has been a visual prompt that progress is rarely about giant leaps, but rather the countless steps along the way where individuals have the opportunity to grow.
Finally, take a moment and substitute the young lady in the photograph with your own child(ren) on a day that you remember fondly. Whether they were wearing a giant backpack and skipping carefree into Pre-Prep, loaded up with sports kit, dressed up as their favourite book character, nervously heading into a GCSE exam, confidently making their way to meet their friends, and whether at the start of their Harrodian journey, or not, I hope that the overriding emotions you feel are pride and joy in seeing them take each step with confidence. That is what we see every day.
I hope that the overriding emotions you feel are pride and joy in seeing them take each step with confidence.
This blog was written by David Sanders, Deputy Head of Harrodian.
Future editions of The Harrodian Heartbeat will feature messages from our staff and pupils - curated by Mr Sanders.
He welcomes feedback to this blog via website@harrodian.com