CTG Weekly Reflections
Friday, 13th February 2026
Beginning Again
There’s something beautifully human about these days in the Church’s year. Shrove Tuesday brings joy and community; shared tables, laughter, celebration. Then Ash Wednesday follows, not to dampen that joy, but to deepen it.
As we receive ashes, marked with the sign of the Cross, we are reminded of who we are, and whose we are. Lent begins not with pressure, but with invitation.
This season speaks directly to our vocation. Every day in our schools we believe in growth. We encourage fresh starts. We tell pupils that mistakes are not the end of the story. Lent is God offering that same message to us.
February is National Heart Month, a time to think about caring for our physical hearts through rest, movement, and healthier choices. But it’s also a good moment to reflect on the other work our hearts do every day.
In schools, hearts are constantly at work: showing patience, offering encouragement, absorbing worries, and making space for others. Much of this emotional labour goes unseen, yet it shapes the culture of our communities just as much as policies or timetables.
As we’re encouraged this month to look after our physical wellbeing, perhaps we can also give ourselves permission to slow down, be kinder to ourselves, and remember that caring hearts need care as well.
January is a season of new beginnings in schools. Vacancies are advertised, applications are written, and people quietly ask themselves, “Is this the right next step?”.
In the Church’s calendar, this is also a time of calling. The Wise Men follow a star without knowing exactly where it will lead, and Jesus begins his ministry after being affirmed as God’s beloved Son. Both remind us that vocation is not just about roles, but about trust.
Leadership and service in education are never simply jobs to be filled, but opportunities to respond to God’s quiet invitation to serve others well.