Our Year 10 woodwork group this year is a little like cats — they cruise into the workshop (watchful as always), scratch the sawdusty floor or stretch, curl up in the tree stump chair, meow for food or water and then unfurl themselves and start moving between benches, tools and timber in a heartwarmingly noble way…

They are conscientious, powerful, careful, graceful, steady, sleepy, dedicated, loving and very intelligent. In the eternally unfolding sawdusty chaos of the workshop, they are a joy to teach! They are designing and creating beautiful pieces of furniture, learning to shape timber with patience, precision and care. I’m incredibly grateful they never give up, especially when a joint isn’t fitting quite right, a measurement has gone astray, or they have to wait patiently for help sometimes!

It’s at this age, during all the conversations I have with them while sanding, measuring, cutting and building, that I find myself wondering why they are here (in this lifetime)… what are they going to do with their life, what do they want, what is their life purpose… they are big questions for anyone I know, and I also compassionately understand they may not yet know!

I wish with all my heart that they find what it is they truly love, so they can live a free-thinking, glorious life of their choosing. The truth, I think, is that they are the only ones who know the secrets of their hearts — they just have to ask themselves the right questions. In honour of these very cool workshop cats!

Barney Dyer, Woodwork Teacher