SOMETHING very exciting happened the other day.

I was going about my usual lockdown routine of trying (and failing) to teach my four-year-old his number bonds at the same time as replying to school emails when, through the letter box, came advance news of the local “Event of the Lockdown” - an invitation to a socially distanced street party on Friday night.

Now this is unheard of on our street, usually you would be lucky to get a nod or a quick conversation about a delivery, but coronavirus has changed everything.

Everyone is looking for that opportunity to make connections with others.

A similar phenomenon is happening at Whitmore High School.

This week, Year 8 pupils have produced a video, reading kind messages about how much they miss each other; our superb head of drama has made a fun video showing how not to keep healthy during lockdown and the music department are organising a virtual choir.

I have always thought that school is much more than just a place for learning - pupils need the opportunity to interact with each other whether it be through a sports team, as part of a drama production or just by speaking to others in the canteen.

What’s more, it is very hard to replicate this interaction virtually.

think I was so excited about the street party because it was the chance for face-to-face conversation.

Any of you who meet using video calls for work no doubt are experiencing ‘Zoom fatigue’.

The early enjoyment of seeing people’s faces is rapidly being replaced with the annoyance of everyone talking at once!

I really look forward to being able to safely open the doors to Whitmore High School again very soon.

Until then, we will continue to produce resources to ensure pupils do not fall behind in their learning and we will keep communicating with our families.

On a positive note, I believe children are starting to think that maybe school isn’t so bad after all.