HBAR: Humble Beginnings And Return
‘Never forget your roots.’ It’s a phrase we hear all the time. Today I lived and breathed the meaning of this quote. Never have I felt like this. Here’s why.
Eleven years.
2007.
Mean anything to you?
I was nine years old. I was leaving my first primary school in Plumstead. Moving a few miles south to Sidcup.
That was the last time I saw this man pictured.
Context:
Rob Carpenter (formerly known to me as Mr Carpenter) was my headteacher at my primary school at Bannockburn Primary School. It was his first position as headteacher and he went on to lead the school to an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.
Whilst I wasn’t there to see the school reach such heights, I remembered the impact of his leadership and hence why I reached out to him.
The meeting was to discuss my Project and a possible ambassadorial position in his network of schools.
He has since become a ‘super headteacher’ — where he heads a network of schools and supervises changes and their progress.
Tremendous achievement which he is humble in saying is just part of the job.
Okay, that’s enough context.
The meeting went well. Very positive and a complete contrast from the blog on Tuesday.
Deep down I knew that I had this meeting coming up, but I wasn’t motivated. I cared but I was too bogged down with university work that I didn’t make it a priority for my mind.
On that note, I haven’t thought or done any university work since that night. I’ve been focusing on smaller projects or my internship. Perhaps that’s what I needed. A small break. I’ll try and do some tonight with the re-invigorated motivation I have from today’s events.
Meeting Rob (sounds weird to talk so informally about him) reminded me about where I started. My home.
Plumstead and Woolwich area. That’s where I had the dentist. That’s where I shopped. That’s where I had birthday parties. That was my life for the first nine years of my life.
A part of my life I don’t discuss very often. Once I moved away, I almost started a new life, let alone a new chapter.
Whenever I visit Plumstead now — I feel humbled. It’s a weird sense of home. Belonging. I know that I would fit in here.
I’ve never been a material person. I’m happy to live with the bare minimum. As I did to a certain extent in Austin.
Sense of community. Sense of society. Good, honest people. You find that everywhere.
Poverty or disadvantaged homes doesn’t restrict the personality of people.
I grew up in that neighbourhood. It wasn’t a thriving area then and whilst it might be doing slightly better now — still the same issues remain.
I visited Rob at Foxfield Primary School. Surrounded by council estates. It was a true and stark vision of home. Many of my friends came from those very estates.
There was an energy that you could sense about the school. You could tell that Rob had a say in decisions. It was reminiscent of what Bannockburn was like when I left.
Interestingly, Rob said he remembers me to be somehow with strong views (still the same) and an advocate for social justice and fairness.
This was eleven years ago.
I suppose it’s true that some values stay with you. I’m glad I kept these ones.
As much as this experience and my return to give back to a headteacher that did so much and a community that always accepted me — it wasn’t until I got to my area that I realised the true importance of the meeting.
The meeting didn’t just give me an opportunity to reconnect with someone who had influence on my life.
It didn’t just reaffirm my belief in my Projects and ideas.
It didn’t just make me realise that the process is evident through a transformation of location as well as personality.
It made me realise that the end game might be different but it all starts with the same intentions.
Let me explain.
The difference between Rob and I (apart from age) is that he pursued his vision through education and I see mine through journalism and thought leadership. Our principles, morals and intentions for what we both want to achieve are the same.
That’s down to the experiences and somewhat share experiences we had at Bannockburn.
No-one (inherently anyway) wants to harm the world around them.
We go about our lives in different ways and I might not want to do it in the same manner as Rob but that doesn’t mean either approach is more valid than the other.
As I drove around at home, I looked at the buildings. I looked at the people. I looked at all the experiences I’ve had here.
It made me realise that I ended up somewhere different but I kept the same values I had learned and trained in Plumstead.
That’s so key and crucial.
For Rob to say he remembers that I was a boy of social justice, acting inquisitive and wanting fairness proves this very point.
I’m excited for a future relationship with Rob, his partnership of school and anyway I can assist with that.
I haven’t ever for a second forgotten where I come from. That’s why I visit my old workplace so often. Perspective and perception are important to realise your next move.
Eleven years didn’t change anything.
I’ve got older, more mature and more inquisitive.
I still believe in social justice and fairness.
The boy who was bullied and asking those questions still does the same today.
It shows that intentions are true. It shows that purpose is defined through experience.
Rob remembers me for fairness and social justice.
I have become more popular. Sharing a valid and true message. Honesty is the best policy.
As I reflect, I realise that this was something engrained. Asking the tough questions and making life more critical than what is seen to be ‘truth’.
Today gave me strength. It humbled me. It made me realise that I have progressed in the right direction.
As I backtrack to give back to that community — I do with a big smile.
Intentions stayed true through adolescence.
Miracle.