As children go back to school, we highlight the reflections of two prominent Bermudians about education and its importance in their lives in conjunction with the Always Learning campaign, which aims to encourage parents as the main “coaches” of their children.

Victoria Pearman, former Ombudsman

For students, the start of the new academic year can represent a fresh start with opportunities for learning. While it is a time of excitement and anticipation it can also be a time of anxiety as students face new challenges, whether it is starting at a new school, moving up a class, or more challenging work.

Some of us experienced a sense of dread when it was time for us to return to school. Remembering and understanding our reasons can help us to offer the right kind of encouragement and support.

Students may feel anxious about fitting in, making friends, or dealing with peer pressure. Experiences with bullying or exclusion in the past can heighten this fear. Previous negative experiences in school, such as poor academic performance, conflicts with teachers, or disciplinary issues, can make students reluctant to return.

Some of us dropped out of high school or faced significant challenges along the way, but we know this does not define a student's success or potential. Success is not limited to a traditional academic path.

Many successful individuals have experienced setbacks in their formal education, yet their contributions to society have been invaluable. These examples confirm that education is not confined to a classroom and that learning is a lifelong journey.

If students feel nervous, let them know they have what it takes to handle it. Remind them of their successes and strengths to build their confidence. Tell them you believe in them and encourage them to believe in themselves. Let them know they are not alone and that support is available and you are there for them.

As parents, guardians, teachers we should all aim to be lifelong learners. This includes being open and alert to learning from our children.

We can make a significant difference for students who are apprehensive about school by understanding their concerns and providing positive messages. Empowering students offers a wide range of benefits that contribute to their personal growth and academic success.

When students are empowered, they develop a stronger sense of self-confidence. They believe in their abilities to tackle challenges, make decisions, and take ownership of their learning.

As adults we have our own experiences and memories of adults who were encouraging when we were students and those who were not. We can remember the adults who engaged in those types of behaviour that support, motivate, and uplift students.

This includes offering positive feedback, showing genuine interest in students’ progress, providing constructive criticism in a supportive manner, and creating an environment where students feel safe to express themselves.

Let us model continuous learning and belief in self for those who we are responsible to teach and train.

The Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda

I was on a church mission trip in Africa. It was about 10:30am and already the temperature was well in the 90s. We had been driving across the bumpy and muddy roads for an hour when we pulled off into a small school compound at the edge of the jungle in a remote part of Uganda.

A cry went up, “They are here!” Immediately the minibus was swarmed with 90 or so children, gleefully awaiting our arrival and singing songs of welcome. Their smiles and joy were infectious.

The school day had been in progress for many hours and it included the normal subjects of maths and English, prayers and singing, but also farming and healthcare.

The students were mostly orphans – due to guerrilla warfare and the Aids epidemic. Many were up before dawn to walk to school, some had shoes, others had “tyre sandals”, some carried by older siblings.

Their eagerness to learn was phenomenal to behold. School was a place of safety, or friendship and fellowship, a place of welcome, a family as well as the one place which gave them hope for a different future.

In our minibus we had brought books for the library, stationery, sporting equipment and some clothing. As each item was taken out and presented, more shouts of joy arose. For me, this was a school visit like no other.

In Bermuda it is easy to take our education for granted, but experiences and stories like this inspire us to be thankful for the gift we have of universal education.

But school can also be a scary place. As a child, I experienced bullying at school – which made it for me not a safe or happy place. But I had the privilege of coming home to talk to parents who listened.

I think often of those with no parents or those whose parents are so distracted, worried and busy they are not able to be fully present to their children. I would encourage all those with school-age children to take the time to listen to their kids at the start and end of the day – but also to be available to other children who may not have that gift.

I pray that we would value the gift we have of school and encourage children and teachers by being fully connected and supportive. I pray that our schools would be places of belonging, safety, family, learning together.

A little prayer has been written for that first day which may help:

For the first day at work or school

Loving God, let me be strong today

as I meet new people in new places.

Make me brave when I am worried,

show me how to learn from everyone around me,

and help me to do my very best.

Amen.