ONE night the week before last, our small village school was broken into. Items were stolen, doors and windows wrecked and articles were strewn around rooms. Two sacks of wrapped and named Christmas presents for the children were amongst the stolen items.

I cannot begin to understand the mentality or the motivation of those who commit crimes such as this. The distress caused to the school community has been immeasurable in particular, the anxiety and anger experienced, subsequently, by many of the children.

As a headteacher of a Church of England school I have struggled desperately to seek for reasons for this crime and to forgive. I have failed.

As teachers, parents and adults in our society it seems we have a grievous and monumental task ahead to teach right from wrong and to restore a sense of community and personal responsibility in some of our young people. We teach children at our school it is better to give than to take were the thieves taught that? I suspect they were at school but at home and in their communities?

Gladly, at Crockerton our faith in human nature has been largely restored. The support and kindness given to us this week has moved several members of staff to tears on several occasions. Presents have been donated by local businesses and financial donations received from villagers and friends of the school, including the Warminster Lions Club.

Many people have offered practical assistance for instance wrapping presents and so many have given words of kindness. I cannot express my gratitude to these people. You have helped remind us all we are lucky to live in a caring community and that the majority of human beings are very good.

As for the minority? Have a very happy Christmas with our belongings and presents that were for our children. If you needed them more than we did so be it.

Door, windows, computers and even presents can be replaced. Children's feelings, however, are more fragile and more precious.

VAL CULFF,

Headteacher,

Crockerton Church of England Primary School,

Potters Hill,

Crockerton.

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