Dear pupils, teachers and parents,
A very warm greeting to everyone on the First Day of School. My best wishes to those who have been eagerly awaiting this day, to those for whom this day has brought some uncertainty and anxiety, and also to those who would rather have preferred to extend their holidays a little bit more. Although today I am visiting different schools merely as a curious guest, the 1st of September is still a special day for me too.
Pupils,
I realise that, for many of you, greetings seem out of place because now, every morning you will wake up to the alarm clock that is always just a little too early. But you will learn so much more. Not only what is set out in the curriculum. You will also learn how to make friends. You will learn how to disagree constructively and listen to other’s views. You will learn how to get through classes that are far from your favourite.
The new school year will bring so much satisfaction and joy. But there will also be moments when everything seems hopeless when nothing seems to work. Ask for help! School is a place for learning. For pupils, teachers and parents alike. And learning how to ask for and get help is very important all around.
Parents, teachers, educators,
Remember that school and all the discussions around education are solely for the sake of the children. So that they can walk through life with greater confidence and achieve more. Listen, talk, solve. Because, if our shared goal is to secure a brighter future for our children, we will have to find the right way forward.
A special greeting to all first-year pupils,
Today you must feel like space explorers. And the space is the knowledge. You are wearing a special suit, maybe not the most comfortable though. You have ventured into a new world. Planet knowledge, planet learning. You are about to start exploring, slowly and cautiously. Side-by-side with other astronauts making their first humble steps on terra nova. Some say time is different in space, and in school. May your first-year mission succeed! May you discover lots of interesting things!
Good luck and plenty of success in the new school year!