From the editor: Easter rising (still)

Easter holidays – aren’t they grand? As much as most of us may have closed down our Easter break with the last remnant of a crispy chocolate shell, families with school-aged children and school-employed adults (there’s loads of jobs you can do in a school, not just as a teacher – they’re a veritable wormery of employment opportunities!) are still on an Easter break. The shortest of the much-maligned school holidays.

I have the utmost respect for everyone working in schools – on all sides of the blackboard. With school days starting earlier than I ever remember them, kids going to after-school activities or being told to stick their noses into books and work for the next round of tests/exams, teachers marking and outlining lesson plans late into the night, paperwork for everything… it all feels a little bit Kafkaesque to suggest that these are either the ‘best days of your life’ or an easy life of a career with short days and long holidays. I know when school holidays are about to start, not because of any movie releases or adventure promotions, but because the teachers in my sphere are all on their last nerves and coming down with several viruses, their immune systems having been worn out several weeks prior.

But the stories. The fabulous stories. From a previously difficult child actually recommending a book their favourite teacher might like to read, to elaborate chases utilising every bit of niche school architecture know-how that would make Tom & Jerry proud.

Schools are vital with life, potential, ruckus, adventures, peril and so much more. I feel proud and privileged to know people working in all kinds of education establishments, fostering dreams and comradery – under-resourced, under-supported, and underpaid. These are giants’ shoulders our future is standing on. Thank you.

Victoria Nangle
editorial@thelatest.co.uk