Thought For The Day – Tuesday 8^th September 2026

Happy World Literacy Day.

The theme for today’s World Literacy Day is:  “Literacy for people, the planet, and prosperity.”

This year is the 60^th anniversary of World Literacy Day.

The idea for an international day dedicated to literacy was first conceived at the World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy, held in Iran, in September 1965.

Literacy is essential for articulation, communication, democracy, enjoyment, employment, health, listening, peace, power, truth, wellbeing, and life.

Literacy is a human right. Like life, food, and water.

In many ways, in the team of life, literacy is the unsung hero, and pivot, which unlocks everything else. Literacy resolutely saves and defends, imaginatively creates, and reliably scores.  Literacy leads, reads, respects, and supports the game.

“Literacy unlocks the door to learning throughout life, is essential to development and health, and opens the way for democratic participation and active citizenship”,  stated Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations. “Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope”, stated former Secretary-General Annan.

In his inspirational presentation last year, pictured above, organised by Ms. MacEachern and Mrs. Miles,  wonderful author Dr. Ashley Hickson-Lovence made the following two profound comments (amongst many other wise words):

“When life’s off track, put pen to paper, and find your way back.”

“Make it exist first, make it good later.”

These two quotations are so true for all we do, including this daily message here.  Ashley spread the Love(nce) for literacy.

Because literacy is a beautiful and lifelong gift.  A form of self-expression.

Literacy is the lighthouse that helps us resiliently and responsibly understand and navigate the various seas of life.

So long as it is accompanied by, and with, ethics, love, morality, and respect.

Good literacy is vital at T.B.S.H.S., through student reading, writing, and oracy.  In the last decade at The Bishop’s Stortford High School, the precious and priceless jewel of literacy has been cultivated, nurtured, promoted, and supported to all through the excellent and outstanding work of: Mr. Reeve; Mrs. Miles;  Miss. Butler; Miss. Bishop;  Mrs. Eagle (a former member of staff at T.B.S.H.S. who initially led the way); Ms. MacEachern;  Mr. Patterson;  Ms. Matharu;  Mrs. Houghton, Mr. P. Williams and “The Globe” T.B.S.H.S. newspaper team;  the English department;  Mr. Gunn; Mr. Griffiths;  and all staff, students, carers, and parents.

In this process, so very many life opportunities have been created.

Literacy is life.

We continue to read, write, proofread, speak, and listen.

Thank you very much to Ms. MacEachern for brilliantly taking on the vital leadership role of Literacy Co-ordinator this year, following the superb work of Miss. Bishop.

We do not forget each area has its own subject-specific literacy. The Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, who passed away from this life 75 years ago earlier this year, and who was based for much of his career in Cambridge, called these linguistic contexts “language games” and “forms of life”.

In becoming more literate ourselves, we never forget to open the door to, and for, others.

There are still challenges to national and global literacy today, challenges exacerbated by climate, conflict, disinformation and misinformation, health, inequality,  pandemic, and poverty.

So, as we read and write this message and our messages, and as we keep improving our personal literacy,  we remember, and support, both at home and abroad, those who have challenges with literacy.

For our literacy is a responsibility. To ourselves and to others.