Dear HOPE members,
As I write my first letter to you as President of HOPE, I want to begin with heartfelt thanks. The Dublin Congress this past May was a wonderful success, and that was only possible because of the dedication, creativity, and generosity of so many colleagues. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the Irish hospital teachers who worked tirelessly in planning and delivering the event, and the organising committee who guided every detail with such care. I also extend my thanks to all the presenters, whose contributions made the programme both engaging and inspiring.
Looking forward, I would like to share that the HOPE Board, together with our webmaster Fabrizio, is working hard on modernising our membership management. This will make it easier for members to connect, collaborate, and keep up to date with HOPE’s work.
I also want to draw your attention to our official journal, Continuity in Education. Excellent research is being published there, and I encourage you all to explore it. One article that struck me recently was Short-Term Effects of Hospital Schooling on the Resilience of Hospitalised Children by Ana Padillo-Andicoberry and colleagues. The study shows how even short periods of hospital schooling can strengthen children’s resilience and self-esteem—an encouraging reminder of the vital role we all play in supporting our students’ wellbeing as well as their learning.
Finally, I would like to wish our former President, Jan, the very best in his new role as Ambassador. I also want to thank you, the members of HOPE, for the confidence you have placed in me. It is an honour to serve this community, and I look forward to working with you all as we continue to learn, share, and grow together.
With warm regards,
Fergal McNamara
President of HOPE
