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Blog Number 1: 11th June 2011
It's Friday afternoon, the end of the first week back after the half term Holiday. Ms. Cox is out of school today, she's doing some training so there is no-one to come and annoy me and make me cups of tea!
Assembly this morning was fun- 3GN were the Gomersal Stars winners, I think its the first time in a while they have won. Some brilliant work, some really good maths work from 4AC, some lovely artwork also. I particularly enjoyed talking to the swimmers about swimming with clothes on, and was REALLY impressed by Katie's gymnastic achievements, well done to you! It's also good to see so many people joining in with out of school activities, looks like the Gomersal Boys' teams are full of our students!
We had a quite long, but REALLY good leadership team meeting last night- lots of really exciting things to talk about, but unfortunately made me a little bit late home which wouldn't normally have mattered but just as I got to making the tea (sweet and sour chicken and rice, in case you were interested), my friend Neil rang to see if I wanted to come and watch Halifax play rugby. Sadly I was too late in to get ready so had to miss out.
Just been getting things sorted so we can get "wake up shake up" back up and running soon- we needed a new speaker system so everyone can hear- We're hoping to start next week if the weather's ok. Mrs O'Keefe is REALLY excited- she's got a new headset microphone like the one Britney Spears uses!
It always seems so quiet on a Friday afternoon, not sure why!
My mind is elsewhere a little this afternoon- My eldest, Harriet is sitting her first proper A-level exam this afternoon- she's hoping to study History in Durham in September, and needs to get very good grades. I'm sure she will do, but can't help but feel a bit nervous on her behalf.
Having a quiet weekend this weekend- Harriet is babysitting tonight for some friends, so I have to collect her at midnight so it will be a late night for me. Nothing planned for Saturday, but I think Mrs. Warbrick might have me outside weeding the courtyard outside our house- let's hope it rains!
Church on Sunday, then shopping, then back to thinking about school ready for Monday!
Hope you all have a good weekend!
Blog Number 2:
Funny day!
It's Tuesday, Tuesday evening to be precise, far too late to be still doing things, but I have a lot to get through this week. Ploughing through job applications for a new person in the Early Years (It's ok, nobody is leaving!!), and thinking about the day.
Had a GREAT morning, sat listening to all our Musicians in the hall with lots of very proud parents. I especially enjoyed listening to the piano players, we have some very talented children at our school. As I said to you all this morning, keep going with it- you will be really glad you did when you get older. It's funny actually, how things fit together- I was saying to the parents afterwards about how important things like music are, even though the people in charge in government don't always realise it and very often don't give us enough money for things like music and the arts. Then, when I got home at tea time I was talking to Harriet (my daughter- she's 18 on Thursday by the way!) about the A-level exams today. She was telling me about her general studies exam and a question she had answered about "should the arts be funded in times of recession" Basically, should we spend money on the arts, music and the like, when we don't have a lot?
It really reminded me of what I had said to the parents this morning, but also made me remember a real favourite quotation of mine which a friend sent me on a card some time ago. It was written by Muslihuddin Sadi- a Persian poet from the 13th century. I've never heard of him either, but this quote always helps me to remember what REALLY matters.
"If, of thy mortal goods, thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store two loaves
alone to thee are left,
Sell one & from the dole,
Buy Hyacinths to feed the soul"
It always makes me remember that however little we have, as long as we have food to feed our bodies, we still need to find food for our hearts and minds; music, art, poetry and beautiful things are all just as important.
My children read my blog last week, and complained about my grammar and overuse of dashes instead of colons! Hope this is better for you Jacob!!!
Summer Fayre on Saturday- I'm face painting with Mrs. Barrett- looking forward to seeing you all there.
Last Blog Of Summer Term.
Almost there!
It's Monday morning- too early for any children, and for most staff too. Only two more days until we can all enjoy a well deserved summer break. I know the staff are all ready for a rest, and I'm sure most of the children will be too.
Lots of end of term things to get through- sports day last week was great fun, and we were really lucky with the weather! I really enjoyed watching everyone taking part and meeting lots of parents too.
The last few weeks have been really busy- we have been getting organised for the new classrooms in September- I've been visiting lots of different schools getting spare equipment, especially chairs, tables and storage units, so that the new classes will have somewhere to sit!
On Wednesday I have a meeting to find out exactly when the new mobile classroom will be arriving, and what will be being done to the Sunshine room to get it ready for the new term- we are hoping the smell is gone by September.....
I'm really looking forward to tomorrow, in the morning I have to visit one of the middle schools to look at books and things for our new year five class. Then its back to school for a "fuddle" with all the staff at lunchtime.
In the afternoon I'm going back to my old school in Halifax- its their last day, and they always have a special "leaver's assembly" for the Year Six class and their parents. The class that is leaving this year were the children who arrived in reception when I took over as headteacher, so I've known them, and their families for seven years, and many of them are good friends of mine now. It will be really strange, and a little bit sad to see them leaving the school, but I'm really looking forward to seeing my little babies from Reception class seven years ago, all ready for big school!
Then end of term, and time to get ready for a nice sunny Holiday for a couple of weeks.
I hope you all have a great break and I look forward to seeing you all in September.
First Blog of summer term 2011.
Back to School!!
I realise that we have been back to school for quite some time, but it has been, as you can imagine, a incredibly hectic start of term.
Lots of new faces, children, staff and familes, many of whom have joined us for the very first time. Welcome to you all.
Our two "new" classrooms are almost fully set up, with one or two technical details to iron out, and having finally solved the mystery of the missing interactive whiteboard (don't ask!) all should be operating normally very very soon.
I've been spending lots of time in our Early Years unit- I always try to make sure that I can get to know the new children quickly, and that they don't have a distant image of some scarey headteacher! We're getting there!
Lots of miserable weather but we are still managing to "wake up and shake up" twice a week, which gives all the children a great start to the day.
As always seems to be the case at the start of term, there are countless meetings to attend at the moment and the days still don't seem to be long enough!
Three members of staff are "losing" children to University over the next few weeks and we are all dreading the day when they actually fly the nest to begin the next stage of education- My daughter, Harriet leaves to go to Durham in October, whilst Mrs. Peatfield's daughter will be off to Newcastle shortly, and Mrs. Gorrad's son will be going off to Loughborough. We are avoiding talking about it too much, as we all feel quite anxious about the gap left as our children disappear, but it really does only seem like five minutes since Harriet was starting in Reception! Make the most of them while you have them, and it might be a good idea to start saving up too!!
Our children never fail to make us proud, but it really is amazing how their childhood disappears so quickly- I certainly don't feel old enough to have a "grown-up" daughter.
Yet another poor forecast for the weather this weekend- I suppose at least we have the rugby world cup to enjoy- as a Blackburn fan, there's nothing enjoyable about propping up the Premier League.....
Have a great weekend.
Last blog of Autumn Term.
Getting ready for Christmas.....
December is almost upon us, and the countdown to the end of term, and ultimately to Christmas is beginning.
Our end of term at school is going to be tinged with a little sadness as we say goodbye to Janis O'Keefe as she sets off with her family for a new life in Australia. Janis has known most of the children and families in school, and will be very much missed by children, parents and staff alike.
On Friday the school was awash with Christmas Spirit, as FOG prepared for the annual Christmas Fair. I'm not sure yet how much money was raised, but judging by the number of bodies around school, it looks to have been a great success. Many, many thanks to all those people who helped with the Christmas Fair, in particular to Clare Spencer and all the FOG helpers who organised what was a really enjoyable evening.
Lots more to "look forward" too over the next few weeks- Carol concerts, tree trimming, nativity plays, and a whole host of Christmas activities to really whip the children into a state of heightened excitement!!!
Next week is the grand visit to the pantomime- (Oh yes it is!) I'm still looking for a good excuse not to have to go, I think I might well be allergic to pantomimes! Some years ago I used to belong to a local "Am-dram" group, and was cast for many years as the "Baddy" in the pantomime. I still shudder at the memory of entering stage left on a Saturday Matinee to the genuine boos from 250 assorted children, the vast majority of which were from my own school- the loudest boos inevitably coming from the particular class I was teaching at the time. Happy memories, but enough to turn one off pantomime for life! Hopefully I will be able to find an unavoidable planning meeting or dentist's appointment to get me out of it this time! Bah Humbug!
I promise I'm not a total scrooge when it comes to Christmas- when the real preparations begin I'm as excited as any child about wrapping and shopping. Christmas is always a special time for families, and I know we all enjoy the peace and tranquility that Christmas Day brings. My wife's family are Danish, and Christmas traditions always play a big part in our household, things have to be done in a particular way. In fact we have already begun, with the first advent candle being lit yesterday over dinner, but there are many more Christmas traditions which we make sure to follow.
Christmas morning will no doubt begin a little too early, with stockings and mince pies before church, and then present giving whilst lunch is prepared. I think Christmas Day is one of the most relaxed of all days in our house, we tend to keep it quiet, and often just to the four of us, with extended family filling the rest of the Holiday. Can't wait!!!!
One of my favourite pieces of Christmas writing, and something I always come to at this time of year is the poem by John Betjeman which describes the modern Christmas, and all it entails, and concludes with a thought which always helps me to put Christmas into some sort of perspective.
"And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea,
Become a Child on earth for me ?
And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,
No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine."
Wishing you all a wonderfully peaceful Christmas, and continued success in the
New Year.
