“Gardens are not made by singing ‘Oh, how beautiful,’ and sitting in the shade.” Rudyard Kipling
A man came or, to be precise, a teacher,
A bounce in his step and a bounce in his attitude too.
A man came to the school, to make a difference,
With a suit and tie and a smile and a point of view.
“It takes time,” he said, “for a garden to mature,
Takes decades for a tree to reach full height.
This school will be the garden that I nurture
A place of thriving growth is what my sights
Are set on. I, the teachers, governors, parents,
Will bring our contributions, be a team,
And all from the community we’ll welcome,
To help us realise our garden dream.
I know that Ministers of Education
Will come and go and modify the rules
But nothing will distract me from my purpose:
My bin will file the paperwork of fools.
Here, learning will be broad like the spread of an oak
And the love of learning will be at its heart,
From which we’ll put out branches, more and many,
Words and numbers, science, sports and art.
Music will wind through the school, its tendrils
Accompanying songs and plays and dance
And you will find me seated at the piano,
Improvising jazz, given half a chance.
Like ivy, we’ll weave clubs and more activities
Before, through, after school, so children come
To feel endless possibilities opening
Like purple fuchsia flowers in the sun.
Over time we will expand our space,
More classrooms, teachers, single year groups, all
Of this is possible. We’ll even raise
A quarter of a million for a hall.
In our assemblies, there’ll be celebration
Of Christian values, merits and awards
And birthdays, marked with cards and claps and candles—
We’ll not set fire to hair or tie, of course.
We’ll take them from this garden to discover
More about their village, see the Pang,
Walk through bluebells, worship in our churches,
Visit Rushall Farm to see the lambs.
To Snelsmore, Avebury, Ridgeway, Ufton, Rhos,
Each year, they’ll go on longer trips away,
Strengthening their limbs, resolve and friendships,
Gaining independence with each stay,
So when they leave this school, we’ll have succeeded
If it’s been a place where every one
Could be their best and grow and feel valued,
Learn to live and, on the way, have fun.
Yes, to tend this garden, I’m committed
My energy and passion I will give.
Not alone, but with the help of others,
I’ll do it”, said the gardener.
Andy did.
Written to mark the retirement of Andy How from Bradfield C of E Primary School, July 2012
