News

As the school gates swing open for another year, we parents send our kids your way with a mix of pride, hope, and, let’s be honest, a fair bit of worry. We’re anxious about all the usual things—Will our kids settle in? Will they make friends? Will they eat the carrot sticks we lovingly packed, or trade them for something more fun? Beneath it all is the hope that our children will feel safe, supported, and inspired by the people they’ll spend so much of their time with: their teachers.

But as we stand there fussing over hats and hugs, we’re also aware that teachers carry their own anxieties. You’ve got a whole room of new faces to learn, a curriculum to deliver, and the not-so-small task of managing everything from spelling tests to playground dramas.

It’s a lot.

And while we may not say it enough, we see the pressure you’re under, and we admire how you tackle it with such grace and determination. Maybe you’ve spent the night before wondering if you’ll remember all 28 names by the end of week one, or if your carefully crafted classroom setup will survive its first recess. Perhaps you’re feeling the pressure of high expectations, not just from us, but from every direction—your students, colleagues, and the never-ending to-do list that comes with teaching. We know that, like us, you’re stepping into the unknown, hoping for a year that balances the challenges with the joys.

We want you to know that we see you—not just as professionals but as people with your own hopes, worries, and lives outside of the classroom. We know you carry the weight of shaping young minds while navigating a thousand little things that go unseen. You don’t just teach; you nurture, support, and inspire. And while we might be worrying about our own kids, we’re also backing you. Because when our children come home with stories of their day, it’s clear how much of a difference you make in their lives.

So, as the bell rings and the year begins, thank you. Thank you for showing up, for caring, and for bringing your best to every moment. To the teachers guiding our children with care and expertise, thank you for everything you do. And to the parents (ourselves included), let’s offer teachers our support and understanding as they tackle their own set of challenges.

 After all, the school year isn’t just about the kids growing—it’s about us growing together, too.

Ps. Always trade the carrot sticks

Trish Jarvis