Thought For The Day – Thursday 30^th March 2023

At half time in the American Football Superbowl in February, with their star player, Patrick Mahomes, injured, and being ten points down, the Kansas City Chiefs had thirty minutes to respond to the situation. As Rhianna led the half time show, the team were laser focused on their work;  making the adjustments needed  to give what effectively was a legacy-defining game their all.  Having made the tactical changes, Coach Andy Reid gave the team belief and encouraged the players to just do their job.  Led by Mahomes, and, after reflecting to improve,  the players made a positive difference in the second half and won the game.

Closer to home, yesterday there were tributes to two people who made a positive difference to society.

Paul O’Grady M.B.E. was a comedian, presenter and performer. He was widely praised yesterday as being an LGBT+ role model.  The LGBT+ community was not always respected in this country, suffering prejudice and discrimination, even by those in authority.  And, although there has been massive progress, there can still be hate crime today, Paul O’Grady used his platform fearlessly and kindly for others and for the environment.  He was also a campaigner for animal rights. Peter Tatchell, who regularly visits our school and was a co-founder of the first Pride march,  said yesterday: “Whenever someone was in need, Paul O’Grady stepped in to offer to help.”

Baroness Betty Boothroyd was the first female Speaker of the House of Commons, and was equally groundbreaking as a female M.P. beforehand. There was sexism then and, though massive progress has been made, there can still be sexism today.    The Speaker in the House of Commons is a Member of Parliament, respected and elected by their fellow Members of Parliament,  who impartially referees and monitors vital debates that determine the direction of the country.  The gravity of Baroness Boothroyd’s contribution to our Parliamentary democracy, and respect with which she was held, was seen by the fact that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition both attended her funeral yesterday, which featured the song “Climb Every Mountain”.

Both Paul O’Grady and Baroness Boothroyd shattered glass ceilings, left a legacy and made a positive difference. They showed commitment, aspiration, integrity, respect and community.

However we should always remember, and never ever forget,   that those who make a positive difference are in our families, in our communities, in our schools and in our hearts.  We are inspired by them.  We will always be inspired by  them.  We are grateful beyond words to know, and have known, them.

And we have had seen that in the last few days at TBSHS.

Be always inspired by those wonderful people who make, and have made, a positive difference to our life and the life of others.