Blog
Even if you're little, you can do a lot.
About a year ago, I was pitched an idea that I thought was headed for disaster. Not because of any lack of will or ability, I might add, but circumstances seemed pretty much against it.
Against a backdrop of the pandemic, the frequent need for members of the school community to self-isolate, high levels of anxiety and absences, uncertainty about what would happen next in our daily lives, our Arts team presented their most audacious vision yet…
Notwithstanding the complicated backdrop, they were anticipating a week-long run (not unusual for us) of several different events (definitely something new and challenging!). They would absolutely be able to manage Shakespeare, musical theatre, a festival music stage, a host of primary school children and even a dance extravaganza. It would be great! And, I felt, too much.
My reaction to big ideas like this is typically one of pragmatism - something like "that sounds wonderful, but what about the people who met be at the centre of everything, all week and throughout the preparation?” Surely it was too much for the relatively small team?
The vision was a compelling one, though. And the past two years' restrictions on the creative community proved to only add to the motivation.
Well, a truly incredible Arts Week ended on Saturday night with Matilda Jr as its grand finale. I could use plentiful superlatives to describe it as a show - and there would be many indeed - but one citation has stuck with me:
"Even if you're little, you can do a lot."
That seems an appropriate moral to my Arts Week story – and indeed a strong message for us all as we approach the summer break. Let's make a conscious effort to never underestimate our contributions and capabilities – I certainly need to.
See you again in September-stay safe.
