There Is No Guidebook, being the Head during the Coronavirus pandemic. We really don’t know what lies ahead for schools in 2021, and this is especially true for Heads of Schools. Before, we would plan just like any other previous year, and use a similar blueprint. Next year however, we must recreate a plan from a zero base. Our 2021 school day could see, virtual morning staff meetings, student’s registration and temperature checking continuing every morning. Staff might find virtual online staff hangouts and tea-time, instead of in-person meetings, and tea breaks. There might have to be devices in class for students who don’t have one at home to complete their homework tasks. Sport and cultural groups on Teams, doing training and lessons together, but in different locations. Video assembly greetings for students who are at home or in isolation. We can only guess what the future holds. And just maybe, a vaccine to end the uncertainty and we can move into a different daily routine, as I don’t think we can ever go back to what we knew as a normal day. So, perhaps you wondered, ‘What’s the Executive Head's job looking like right now in the age of coronavirus’? This is just one of the questions that pop into my head when I’m trying sleep at night. Questions, like, "What else do we need to do? How can we make the situation at school better? Because there really is no guidebook or policies." Our teachers also play a pivotal role in ensuring that our students are learning, and how lessons are taught in whatever form, and there are vast unknowns with 2021. It's unclear if all our students will return to school. Parents may opt to home school for another year. But, it still means we need to continue working on making sure that we are developing high-quality lessons, growing in our understanding and use of how to teach the curriculum using a digital platform in every lesson. Our greatest challenge might be to educate parents and continue giving help and positive suggestions and actions when there are issues of connectivity, no device at home or students going into isolation. We need to be prepared. We do not need to panic. We have the resources in front of us. We have great educators. We just need to plan and execute those plans timeously. There will be bumps in the road ahead in 2021, there will be connection glitches. Things happen. Remember we need to be open and ready to share information as each challenging situation rapidly evolves, from staff motor accidents, to the dying of loved ones. As a teacher we need to get up to speed on some of the technology, we need to selfeducate, watch the webinars, learn the technology, understand the use of the various apps. Work on new digital lessons, grow our professional education file, adapting the curriculum. We are all going to learn and grow together and come out at the end at a better place. During 2020 we found out how many students don't have access to the internet or a device at home. Some families ask for books or printed assignments to the online tasks. We need to be cognizant that students may also be sharing devices while at home, lessons need to be scaled down from 55 minutes to 30 minutes when online. We need to make use of technology when available and grow with our students. If students can watch a video assignment, complete it in writing, and send a photo of the completed assignment back to the teacher, so much better. As teachers we need to be considerate of the fact that some are sharing technology during the day, some do not have any technology, and some parents cannot afford to embrace technology. We want to continue the learning, we want to keep it positive, be patient with each other. Even I will try harder to be patient. We are going to have be patient this is a new learning curve. Some changes could be student engagement as a focus at Baobab school. There could be lunch with a teacher day, lots of small groups, eating lunch together, to help students and teachers get to know each other, whilst maintaining social distance. We are only going to be able to help the kids if we are in the right emotional space. So, take care of the stresses in your home, with your family, and we will work together to make the school work for kids." Enjoy the weekend!