+ Tuesday 28th – Tennis and simple inspirations from an empty classroom

The cover picture on today’s Parish Blog post looks a bit lonely; a teacher in front of a camera and screen in an empty classroom. Neither parents or teachers would have known some of  the unexpected challenges to schooling that 2020 would bring! No doubt there is plenty of cause for thanksgiving as parents and teachers will continue to exercise leadership, creativity and perseverance. A whole lot of prayer for teachers and parents, and especially for those feeling strained, would be an excellent spiritual exercise for many of us this week as school efforts resume. Maybe there’s someone among them to whom to whom each one of us could shoot an encouraging message today. 

School Lockdown and tennis – what’s the connection?

Today’s Parish Blog post is very simple (and sorry it’s also late due to pressing work in my other role). Following the intro message above, it’s just a brief, less than 2 minutes video, made by a child while her school was closed. Obviously her teacher had guided the task of finding an inspiration or life lesson – and mixed it with video making skilling!

Here’s this child’s project result; a low quality video she can be proud of  !!!

In fact her network and publicity is so small, that when I it into our Parish Blog post here, her video had only had three views! So I bet she didn’t expect her school project to be played in Australia. But listen how, in her very unrelaxed presentation (that probably should  have been her practice run hahaha), she has nevertheless found a lesson for her own life! Now there’s a bit of good education happening in the process of the project. The technology’s not everything! Yes it helps in getting an audience, but I’ll happily plug this bit of cultural inclusion as a simple way …

i. of remembering our connection  to the world in this COVID-19 time

ii. to ask God’s blessing on kids, teachers and parents this week

iii. to celebrate the life lessons we all keep on learning from each others’ stories  – I never suspected Roger Federer had had a big temper until this little girl told me about it (and now if I’m true to good research method, I better go and find a primary source to prove it! ) 

God bless this child and all others

(to view, click the triangle play button in the middle of the picture)

See you in the next post and ..

.. with friendship in God’s mission,

fr Paul