This year, Christmas came early for me - in the shape of the all-male naked staff calendar from Dumfries and Galloway College. And, no, reader, that was not at all because it will neatly fill a currently empty space right above my desk.

Or at least, it wasn’t just that. As we are lurching towards Christmas, this incredibly brave group of men was just the reminder I needed of what this time of year should really be about.

Let me explain. The calendar, which features 20 staff from across the college, is the brainchild of David Ferguson, a business lecturer at the college, who thought it might be an effective - and undoubtedly funny - way to remind his fellow male staff to take care of themselves and be more mindful of the dangers that prostate cancer presents to men in their age group.

What at first glance could be mistaken for a very, very good stunt to raise money is so much more than that. It is a manifestation of how much these people care, not just about their students, but about their colleagues as well.

College staff show they care

I don’t know a single person working in education who does not care deeply about the young - and not so young, in the case of colleges - people in their care and their educational journey. What is talked about much less is the way in which we are all called upon to take care of one another.

Now, I am not saying that all FE staff across Scotland should be disrobing in the spirit of collegiality. Actually, just so we are clear: please don’t. What I am saying is that all staff in education, especially during those times in the academic planner that are even busier than those apparent quiet times, should be mindful of those around them. This can mean much smaller gestures than taking your kit off.

Only a few months ago, Tes published a piece by Boston College principal Jo Maher, who talked about the importance of asking colleagues how they were. How often do you do that in a day? I mean really ask? Not just a passing “how are you?” in place of a “hi”, but a “I want to know how you are doing?”, asked in earnest. I am sure we could all do a bit better at that. Just as we could all, just occasionally, be a little more helpful to one another and help carry that considerable daily load. Small acts of kindness go a long way.

Those 20 men at Dumfries and Galloway College did something I can only describe as brave. In a sector that cares so much about reputation and standing, they stepped out of their comfort zone and did something many of us would never dare even contemplate. They were supported by a college leader who, although wary initially, trusted them to be sensible professionals. They went with what they felt they needed to do to make their colleagues aware of what they saw as a risk to their health, and they didn’t take themselves too seriously not to have a good laugh about it.

Dumfries Calendar Boys, I salute you - the whole sector should take a leaf out of your book this Christmas. Or, at the very least, they should buy one of those calendars.

@JBelgutay