Throughout history, language adapts and evolves. The observed fact that ‘social change brings linguistic change’, was voiced recently by a Senior Editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, whose content was recently updated with neologisms, newly coined word or expressions, arising from the present global crisis. Carefully chosen language, catchily referred to at present as the ‘virus vernacular’, is a feature of many crises. Tomorrow the United Kingdom remembers the end of war in Europe, 75 years ago. During the early days of the Second World War, Churchill chose his words with deliberate precision; crafting and delivering speeches that were some of the most powerful ever given.

When delivering the UK’s biggest ever school assembly last week to Oak National Academy, the Archbishop of Canterbury chose the word ‘hope’. This followed the theme used by the Pope in his Easter address where he talked of the ‘contagion of hope’.

Reporters described the Archbishop’s supportive message as uplifting, using a phrase which made me smile; ‘the voice of Zoom rather than the voice of doom’.

Referencing a quote from Nelson Mandela during his years of imprisonment, ‘’May your choices reflect your hopes not your fears,”, the Archbishop reassured listeners that the 3 P’s of Patience, Positivity and Perseverance were the key to embracing hope at this difficult time.

We have certainly seen the 3 P’s in action amongst the OLA community this week across all subjects and featuring strongly in connectED and PSHCE tasks. I have included a selection of poems and artwork from our ongoing kindness theme. The careful use of language in these poems reflects the theme particularly well. A particular mention must go to Davy W (Y8) for his poignant and beautifully crafted poem about finding kindness in the most unlikely of places during war. It is very fitting to be able to include it within this week’s blog (see below). Thank you to everyone who has submitted poems.

In connectED, pupils learned of the Hill Family on the island of Guernsey, whose children were evacuated to the UK during the Second World War when the island came under occupation.

Their only means of communication was through the infrequent use of ‘brief letters’; 25-word letters to their families. I have included a selection of work from pupils from an activity in which they wrote their own 25-word communications either from a historical perspective or from the view of our present-day lockdown.

Pupils also explored the reading patterns of the war generation and how it helped them to get through the crisis.

As part of Deaf Awareness week and in keeping with our kindness theme, pupils reflected in PSHCE on the drive to increase the use of Sign language to help tackle isolation and loneliness for people with hearing difficulties. They learned to sign their name and create other sentences using this richly expressive language. Watch out for videos in the newsletter to see them in action!

Despite the social changes brought about by the lockdown, linguistic change has been less evident amongst our community. The increased physical distance between staff and pupils has not dampened the spirit of OLA and we remain true to our values, adapting our remote provision to meet pupil needs. ‘Age quod agis’ (Whatever you do, do well) is as abundantly evident in online interactions as it is under normal circumstances.

As we all keep in mind the 3 P’s of Patience, Positivity and Perseverance, please continue to provide weekly feedback on our remote learning programme, using the survey link. I would like to wish all families a relaxing weekend.