This week I have been talking to staff and students about stepladders.

I even dragged around some ladders for staff to look at and reflect upon.

I encouraged them to think about us all being on a stepladder in life. Some are starting on the bottom step, whilst others have got to the top and are changing the ladders that they are on.

Our Nursery and Reception children will be taking their early steps on their Primary Ladder. Our Year 7s will be stepping onto their Secondary Ladder. Our older students will be stepping into GCSEs or stepping onto Post 16 and Post 18 courses and apprenticeship ladders.

Even us as adults are on career ladders, life ladders, health ladders or property ladders.

As we reflect on this, maybe consider where you are at the moment and if you are able to offer others a hand up or encouragement to keep climbing. Maybe you could be supporting and praying for your family members who are starting new things, ending certain stages or finding the climb tough.

Our God reaches out to us. Whenever God sent messages they were reassuring messages of ‘Do not be afraid’. God strengthens us and guides us when we have faith.

My prayer for you is that wherever you are on Life’s ladders, you understand that there are a great cloud of witnesses, in heaven and on Earth, cheering you on and willing you to succeed and find joy in all that you do.

Remember too that if you or your child or young people, are having a hard time – there are people around you (me included) that can support you and pray with you if you would like that. Seek them out or contact me in school and I will be happy to help where I can.

Take it one step at a time. We can do this.