SAN MARINO – Dear students, kind teachers, managers, school staff and dear families,
This year too, the ringing of the first bell marks a new beginning. September, for our community, has always represented a real watershed: a moment of restart that not only concerns those who populate the classrooms every morning, but which involves families and the entire society. The school calendar is the discreet but fundamental metronome that marks the times of our daily lives, sporting, artistic and family activities, reminding us how much education is the true center of gravity of our community.
Reducing school – from nursery school to university – to a mere educational or knowledge function would be reductive. School is, first of all, the fulcrum of our most authentic human relationships, the ones that we take home with us every afternoon and that we often keep within us for life. It is the place where we define who we are and where we begin to imagine who we would like to become.
For this reason the school has the primary task of being the guardian and protector of these dreams. Of course, solid cognitive and notional foundations are needed – without which one cannot go far -, but it is equally essential to offer a space in which the different dimensions of the person can flourish.
As institutions, we are working with conviction to build a school model that is increasingly attentive to the integrated well-being of students, teachers and families. We are well aware of the concerns and challenges that parents and educators face in a rapidly and complexly changing world. School must be able to stay within this change: it must be a safe place where boys and girls can orient themselves among their often conflicting emotions and find clear points of reference to navigate with awareness even in the digital world.
It’s true, a lot is asked of schools today, sometimes even too much, but this shouldn’t scare us. The San Marino school – with its history, its leaders and those who live it every day – has all the resources, sensitivity and competence to be a solid guide.
My thoughts and my heartfelt thanks therefore go to all the teaching staff: yours is not a simple job, but a real human and civil mission. Every day you find yourself carrying out a task of very high responsibility: transmitting knowledge, of course, but above all intercepting invisible needs, listening to silences, enhancing the uniqueness of each student.
Alongside you, I would like to express profound gratitude to all the non-teaching, administrative and auxiliary staff. Yours is often silent work, carried out behind the scenes, but absolutely indispensable. You are the supporting structure that allows the complex machine of our institutes to function every day.
I address an affectionate and profound thought to the families. Educating young people is a challenge that cannot be overcome alone. My greatest hope is that an authentic educational alliance can be consolidated between the State, school and family, made up of mutual trust, respect for roles and constant dialogue.
Finally, I dedicate my best wishes to you, dearest students. May this new school year reserve for you the wonder of discovery, the value of curiosity and great opportunities for growth, both personal and educational.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, to ask questions, to confide in yourself, to question what surrounds you: school is your life training ground, your home, it is the place where you learn to think with your head.
I hope you find in the adults who accompany you on this journey passionate guides, attentive listeners and points of reference that live up to your expectations, your dreams and your extraordinary talents.
Happy school year everyone!
