Throughout the month of June, we have seen so many wonderful community events from street parties to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee to the return of our King’s High Sports Day which took place this week. We were restricted from these social events for a long time, and many of us forgot how to function within such occasions. We may feel nervous of the small-talk demands, uncertain of being centre stage and the whole thing may just feel a bit ‘too much’.
But at the same time, how glorious that we can feel a sense of community once again whether from the centre or from the side-lines. Looking around on Sports Day, it wasn't only the sporting events that were the showcase to behold – it was the community. House colours were worn with pride, cheering and music filled the field, creating an atmosphere of school spirit and togetherness. There was cheering for others, laughter, joy and the helping hand of summer sunshine. There was our school community in all its glory with a shared sense of pride and purpose.
We all have times when we require solitude and enjoy some time alone, but humans have evolved to be community animals. In days gone by, we literally needed the village community to surround and care for us, to support when we needed it, to share goods, food, knowledge in order to survive. We may no longer rely on others for our physical daily survival, but for our emotional health, we do need to be part of a community to which we feel that we belong. So, whether you are the superstar fourth leg sprinter of the relay, or the person smiling with encouragement from the side-line; whether you are the person who waves the flag, or the one who quietly picks up the piece of litter as the event draws to a close… it is our community, and to be part of that is a valuable thing.
