Harborough headteacher writes to all 900 of his pupils with a special message during this extraordinary time

The head of a Market Harborough school has told his 900 students – you are not on your own in this extraordinary time.

Dan Cleary, principal of Robert Smyth Academy, has written to every pupil to reassure them he’s fully behind them amid the coronavirus pandemic.

And he’s also asking them for their own personal feedback and views as schools remain closed and the Covid-19 lockdown continues.

Talking from home to the Harborough Mail, Dan said: “My overwhelming message to our amazing students is simply this – you are not on your own.

“I am here to support you every step of the way.

“I have a terrific team of about 100 staff – and I know that they are also helping you every day of the week.”

The dad-of-two is writing to his students, aged from 11-18, days after the UK celebrated VE75 Day on Friday May 8.

“We will never be able to experience the exact feelings of the people who lived through that day, but we can listen and we can learn from them,” said Dan.

“The First and Second World Wars were significant events in our past, but how do you decide if an event is important?

“Christine Counsell is one of the historians who influenced my thinking.

“She said that for an experience to be important, it must meet five criteria.”

The event must be remarkable – widely commented on by people at the time and afterwards

The event must be remembered – important in the minds of most people after the event

The event must result in change – things were not the same after it happened

The event must be resonant – people like to compare things to it because it was a big part of their life

The event must be revealing – it was an event that or showed other things about our society and the world.

Urging youngsters to get in touch, Dan tells them: “Although all events are different, I would be interested to know how you feel about this list and your own experiences.

“You may think that you are living through an historical event right now and I would have to agree with you.

“The changes that you have experienced in just a short space of time have been the greatest that I have seen in my lifetime.”

The Burnmill Road school chief told the Mail: “The young people at Robert Smyth are the brightest, most talented kids I’ve ever worked with.

“They are incredible young people living through an extraordinary event.

“They are so public-spirited and are making personal protective equipment for NHS staff while raising money for charity.

“But they have to be kind to themselves as well and look after their mental health.”

Dan added: “I’m telling them to take it day by day.

“Work hard but more importantly look after yourself.

“Don’t get ahead of yourselves – live in the present as we are all living through history in the making.

“Set up a daily routine and structure for yourselves.

“But above all – do not suffer in silence.

“Please get in touch – we are here to help and support you through these unique times.”

He points pupils towards the Young Minds charity:

https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/

In his powerful message to youngsters Dan declares: “I have not said this enough.

“But I want you to know that I am very proud of you and particularly those of you who continue to work hard during the closure.

“You are still all part of a school that believes in you and wants you to do well.

“I want you to know I have been busy looking at your work, hiring fantastic new staff who want to join our school and organising plans for refurbishments over the summer.

“I am making plans for what happens next.

“And I promise that you will have the hardest-working headteacher in your corner to help you through this.

“We are all part of the same team - I will not let you down.

“I would love to see what you are doing to invest in yourself and your mental health.

“You can share this with me through email [email protected] or on Twitter (@RSAPrincipal).”