Write the Scroll: Preserving Wisdom and Shaping the Story of Learning
Leadership is not just about creating the future, it is also about honouring the past. In every school, in every learning community, there exists a rich and evolving story, of values, of relationships, of lessons learned, of resilience through change.
Too often, the fast pace of school life leaves little space to reflect on or share this wisdom. Yet when we pause to capture it, to write the scroll, as we say at Seeds of Knowledge, we give our schools a deeper foundation.
The scroll represents both legacy and learning. In ancient times, scrolls were used to preserve not just information, but meaning, stories that gave communities identity, coherence, and a sense of shared purpose. In modern leadership, this remains a vital act. Schools are not just buildings or timetables, they are living cultures shaped by the accumulated experiences and insights of those who lead, teach, and learn within them.
When leaders write the scroll, figuratively or literally, they ensure that:
Core values remain visible and consistent, even through staff transitions or organisational change
Stories of resilience, innovation, and compassion are celebrated and passed on
New staff understand the deeper identity and ethos of the school, beyond its policies
Learners experience themselves as part of an unfolding story of purpose and possibility
As Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan wisely said:
"The story of a nation is the memory of its people."
The same is true of a school. If we fail to preserve the memory of what has been learned, through successes, mistakes, and collective growth, we risk losing wisdom that future generations need. Writing the scroll may take many forms. It might be captured through formal vision and mission statements, but also through:
Storytelling in staff meetings or school celebrations
Mentoring relationships where experienced educators share learning with newer colleagues
Visual displays or artefacts that celebrate key moments in the school’s journey
School histories written to mark milestones and transitions
Reflective leadership journals that become a resource for succession planning
At Seeds of Knowledge, we encourage leaders to cultivate intentional storytelling, not as nostalgia, but as a leadership tool for building cohesion, continuity, and culture. When a school knows and honours its story, it moves forward with a stronger sense of identity and direction.
And when leaders embrace this practice, they also develop the capacity to see beyond their own perspective, to appreciate the diverse stories within their communities. This leads naturally to the next dimension of leadership: changing the lens, developing empathy and fostering inclusive thinking.
Stories expand our view of the world. In our next reflection, we’ll explore how changing the lens, embracing diverse perspectives and building empathy, deepens inclusive leadership.
