What's Different at the End of the Term?

It's almost all over.  Another term come to an end.  Another whirlwind of practices, matches, competitions, bus journeys, packed lunches and reported results.  So, what has been achieved by it all? How is the world different for all that expenditure of effort, resources and emotional energy? And was it worth it?

The end of term is a time for assessment and reflection, based on the stark question: what is left when it's all over?

What are the possibilities?  Maybe there are a few more trophies in the cabinet, on loan for a year, marking a triumph in some competition or other.  Anything from a national championship to a local final.  For those pupils involved, there will certainly be memories that might endure for a long time - maybe even a lifetime.  But competition is a zero sum game, so, by definition, most of the entrants didn't win. 

There may have been some great games.  Exciting contests that inspired pupils to extraordinary effort, maybe produced moments of meaning and magic that elevated the human spirit.  Or inspired that rare condition known as "flow" in which challenge is equal to ability and the joy of effort and application is extreme.  The satisfaction of bonding with friends in shared endeavour, training, playing, laughing, winning and losing.  Would that be enough justification for the inputs that achieved it?

Maybe there are some enduring physical impacts.  Improved skill levels, higher standards of strength and fitness, maybe improved understanding of healthy, active lifestyles.  Increased motivation to exercise, or determination to get fitter.  All of these would be positive outcomes.

And possibly there is personal development.  If some children have become more determined, persistent, empathetic or courageous, the the time and energy have been well spent. Whilst these might be the aims proudly listed in the prospectus, it's not an easy thing to measure. For most schools this is in the "too hard" tray, so remains an unsubstantiated leap of faith. Who are the pupils who have developed in this way - and by how much? And what were the specific experiences that contributed to this?

There might have been a high cost to pay along the way.  Certainly in terms of money and other resources consumed, but also in terms of lessons missed, staff time and energy consumed and endless complex logistics.  Cold, wet days on windswept pitches.  Injuries, discomfort, pain - and pupils pressed into service to fill teams.  It would have to be felt that all this was worthwhile.  That the achievements of the term left something worthwhile behind, and went beyond fulfilling minimum obligations and providing numbers for results websites and text for school magazines.

It would be wholly disappointing to feel that all that effort, on everyone's behalf, had been in vain.  That all that was left at the end was dirty kit and an eye watering transport bill.  It might not be easy to measure, but it would be satisfying to have a clearer idea of what was left when it was all over.