b'LOCKDOWN THOUGHTSby Dr BirdI dont think any of us saw this coming! Not on this scale anyway.who are volunteering in hospitals, and the staff who are NHS HGS did start to plan ahead when we envisaged the scale andresponders. The Thursday national radio link-upa great mix of enormity of the situation as Italy and Spain shut down; so wemusic with a poignant focus. Donating to Captain Tom, to the Big were a little ahead of the curve when the Prime Minister made hisNight In, to care homes and food banks. Donating PPE to GP announcement to lockdown the country and close schools. Sincesurgeries and hospitals.that point we have all lived a surreal and bizarre life. No training orNot having to wear a suit and tie to work, wearing flip-flops and not CPD prepares us for this sort of situation, where I believe a goodshaving and just being able to slow down and appreciate life more. dose of common sense and basic human kindness is needed. I seeEating up the food in the freezereven if it does sometimes lend lockdown in two partsthe good and the bad. itself to a slightly odd menu. Shopping locally and supporting our Good points about lockdown local farm shop.I see more of my family on a daily basis. Using Zoom for meetingsFeeling very proud of all HGS staff who have stepped up to at work, with family and friends and for a weekly catch-up withthe plate with remote learning and for the magnificent support my father who is 82 years old and a bit of a silver surfer! This waythey have provided to our students and parents and in the local he can see and speak to my two children each week and stay incommunity. The satisfaction in making sure no one in the HGS touch as he is on his own. Having to teach about the Great Fire ofcommunity is left behind.London to my six-year-old, teaching Latin and Shakespeare to myThe feeling of hope and that one day this will be over.12-year-old, Friday family movie nights and getting two new kittens to cheer up our children. Lockdown treats, the good weather andBad points about lockdownfully realising the importance of family and friends. Skype, like our broadband, is rubbish! I almost threw my laptop out Hearing the most beautiful birdsong every day in our gardenof the window in frustration.and the surrounding countryside, going for long family walksHome schooling doesnt work when two parents are trying to and appreciating what we have around us and feeling blessed.work full time at home as well as teach two children! Not their The reduction in pollution and cars on the road. Supporting ourfault but stress levels have been fluid shall we say! Frustration has neighbours and friends and witnessing acts of kindness on areigned on occasions. People speeding on clear roads and killing personal and national level. The sense of community and that weour beautiful cat. The idiot who scammed us over two kittens to are all in this together, and knowing that love does conquer all andreplace our cat and really upset our childrendont worry, we can be found in unexpected places. tracked her down!Captain Tomwhat a star! He is a good example of how weThe sense of uncertainty: unclear information and messaging from should all live our lives. Clapping for the NHS. Our studentspoliticians, disinformation from the media and scaremongering on any and all levels. Having events cancelled left, right and centre. Children missing out on their educationthey only get one chanceand having no goodbyes and assemblies. Working to even tighter deadlines that keep changing constantly, and having to absorb and assimilate more and more information on a daily basisI will be glad when all the email updates and missives stop.A sense of sadness and anxiety that can be all-pervasive, and a deep sadness that we could not even hug or hold hands with our immediate family at a family funeral due to Covid-19 earlier this month.However, I am an optimist and liked the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury when he spoke of hope and resilience. This will be over and in many ways we will be better for it. Life will change in a positive way. We will be kinder and value our friends and family that little bit more. We have shown what we can do as a community and as a country. We can build on that to make a better future. Students today can learn from this situation to help shape their future in a positive way. And we have changed our broadband provider in the Bird house!Haec Olim Meminisse Iuvabit.Dr Simon Bird, Headmaster3'