I've been to hell on earth (but i survived) 25.2.13
Welcome back to the readers of the blog and I know a large number of you read it during the recent holiday. Question, WHY? No, seriously, I am astounded by the numbers that read the blog whilst we were on shutdown for the week.
So did I manage to stay digital free? Sadly, no! If you are also a follower of @Lyndongreen1 then you would have seen the educational challenge that I set my children on Friday of last week. The challenge was to see if whilst we were in the City Centre, whether we could visit or demonstrate all our school topics for last half term. I can say here and now that we did. They were all recorded on Twitter and we did a great job. Little geek and her brother were great at spotting the different topics, no matter how tenuous the links were. (a plant whilst waiting for dinner was the link for minibeasts) The challenge nearly started badly, because as I was preparing to take the first picture, calamity struck again, I dropped my phone or I juggled it. My ambition of working with clowns in a circus will never be fulfilled. Sob, sob. Then my phone battery died on me half way through the day, but my ipad came to the rescue. So digitally free? Not on your nelly. Enough of this gumf (NC) let's get on with the blog.
Well we are back. It was great to come through the doors this morning knowing that we are about to start another round of Engage weeks in our new topics. In this week, we completely immerse the children in the topic so that they take onboard as much information as possible, exploring for themselves and gaining new knowledge before we start introducing new skills. It is a great way to teach the pupils. (so good our Infants school are currently having their training day with Cornerstones. Look at us trailblazers) This week will be very busy, with trips to Ryton Gardens for Year 5. Year 6 are off to Stratford Butterfly Farm, Year 4 have had Professor McGinty in school today (pictures below) Year 3 will be visiting the local Country Park and last but not least Class 10M will be visiting the Safari Park to support their mini zoo topics. So as you can see, it really is busy, but you know we like it that way.
Got to stop for a minute whilst I nip off to pick up eldest from computer club. Will finish and post later.
The title of the blog isn't a mystery, it refers to those hellish places called soft play centres. Now I like fun, I like children but why oh why did I choose to go in half term. I must have had a lobotomy. Firstly and lastly NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mr. R. it is not good, big or clever because the world and his dog was there. After 2 hours it was time to leave and hopefully convince my children that pillows and polystyrene balls in the living room are just as much fun and I won't have to pay £10 for the pleasure. I won't mention where my nightmare took place but just to say I have nothing against them at all, just not in half term.
We are facing a conundrum in school this week. Tomorrow night sees the leadership team in school coming together to discuss a very important issue. The issue we will be discussing will be what colour folders will we use for our topics!!! I jest, or do I. The real issue is setting in school. We currently set for Numeracy and tomorrow night we will be looking at the reasons why. I have set my leaders in school the challenge of researching this issue so that we can come to a conclusion about whether we have a trial period of not setting. I see value in both arguments. If you are not sure what setting is, well it is simply that children are put in groups according to their ability for specific subjects. We currently set for Numeracy, under the headings of Red, Amber and Green. (You don't have to use your imagination to work out the different abilities and the link to the sets) I wonder what you all think about this idea. We have to look at it from a variety of angles and not just as teachers. I will be taking the angle of the children's perception,I feel it is the most important one. More feedback in the coming weeks. Leave me a comment with what you think..
With this term only being four weeks and four days long we are having to try and cram a lot into school whilst ensuring the quality that is still there. There are many places to keep up to date with all our activities. Our twitter feed has over 4000 tweets and it is the day to day window for our school, if you haven't followed us yet, please request via twitter and then that request will be assessed. We do this to protect our children from the unsavoury side of the internet. With this in mind, I read a really interesting article today and it made me wonder whether or not we molly coddle our children today. Do we let our children have fun and experience what we did when we were growing up? I have great memories of seeing the OAPs cast adrift in a fast flowing river whilst the children stood and watched as well as playing in the dirt with worms, throwing rocks into streams but accidently landing them in my brothers head (I still say to this day that he walked out) Today we seem to smother our children and over protect from the world (I have no issue with this at times) covering them in antibacterial gel so they move round like seals in an oil slick. Anyway I digress, I'm good at it. The article that I read referred to the way children are brought up in Scandinavia. A lot of my educational thinking comes from there because I have the deepest respect for the way they school children. The article refers to children and their nap time, where when it is nap time, you won't find them in a cot inside, but either on balconies or outside and when the temperature gets to -15 then their parents will cover them in blankets. It help to fight illnesses etc. It just made me think of how we have changed as the years have gone by.
The article is here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21537988
Ok last bit for the blog this evening, another ramble through my disjointed mind tonight. Thanks for reading if you have, the answer to the last quiz question was Pandora Braithwaite, loads of correct answers and too many to mention but huge congrats to you all.
Tonight's quiz question is. What age do the children in Finland start school? My staff you are not allowed to answer.
In OAP news, well there isn't any, sadly......
No don't get all emotional, I haven't had any contact with them recently. I know I'm bad, but at least they will know I'm alive now that I have completed another blog. I look forward to another intriguing day and a very productive one tomorrow.
Have fun all. Mr. R.
So did I manage to stay digital free? Sadly, no! If you are also a follower of @Lyndongreen1 then you would have seen the educational challenge that I set my children on Friday of last week. The challenge was to see if whilst we were in the City Centre, whether we could visit or demonstrate all our school topics for last half term. I can say here and now that we did. They were all recorded on Twitter and we did a great job. Little geek and her brother were great at spotting the different topics, no matter how tenuous the links were. (a plant whilst waiting for dinner was the link for minibeasts) The challenge nearly started badly, because as I was preparing to take the first picture, calamity struck again, I dropped my phone or I juggled it. My ambition of working with clowns in a circus will never be fulfilled. Sob, sob. Then my phone battery died on me half way through the day, but my ipad came to the rescue. So digitally free? Not on your nelly. Enough of this gumf (NC) let's get on with the blog.
Well we are back. It was great to come through the doors this morning knowing that we are about to start another round of Engage weeks in our new topics. In this week, we completely immerse the children in the topic so that they take onboard as much information as possible, exploring for themselves and gaining new knowledge before we start introducing new skills. It is a great way to teach the pupils. (so good our Infants school are currently having their training day with Cornerstones. Look at us trailblazers) This week will be very busy, with trips to Ryton Gardens for Year 5. Year 6 are off to Stratford Butterfly Farm, Year 4 have had Professor McGinty in school today (pictures below) Year 3 will be visiting the local Country Park and last but not least Class 10M will be visiting the Safari Park to support their mini zoo topics. So as you can see, it really is busy, but you know we like it that way.
Got to stop for a minute whilst I nip off to pick up eldest from computer club. Will finish and post later.
The title of the blog isn't a mystery, it refers to those hellish places called soft play centres. Now I like fun, I like children but why oh why did I choose to go in half term. I must have had a lobotomy. Firstly and lastly NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Mr. R. it is not good, big or clever because the world and his dog was there. After 2 hours it was time to leave and hopefully convince my children that pillows and polystyrene balls in the living room are just as much fun and I won't have to pay £10 for the pleasure. I won't mention where my nightmare took place but just to say I have nothing against them at all, just not in half term.
We are facing a conundrum in school this week. Tomorrow night sees the leadership team in school coming together to discuss a very important issue. The issue we will be discussing will be what colour folders will we use for our topics!!! I jest, or do I. The real issue is setting in school. We currently set for Numeracy and tomorrow night we will be looking at the reasons why. I have set my leaders in school the challenge of researching this issue so that we can come to a conclusion about whether we have a trial period of not setting. I see value in both arguments. If you are not sure what setting is, well it is simply that children are put in groups according to their ability for specific subjects. We currently set for Numeracy, under the headings of Red, Amber and Green. (You don't have to use your imagination to work out the different abilities and the link to the sets) I wonder what you all think about this idea. We have to look at it from a variety of angles and not just as teachers. I will be taking the angle of the children's perception,I feel it is the most important one. More feedback in the coming weeks. Leave me a comment with what you think..
With this term only being four weeks and four days long we are having to try and cram a lot into school whilst ensuring the quality that is still there. There are many places to keep up to date with all our activities. Our twitter feed has over 4000 tweets and it is the day to day window for our school, if you haven't followed us yet, please request via twitter and then that request will be assessed. We do this to protect our children from the unsavoury side of the internet. With this in mind, I read a really interesting article today and it made me wonder whether or not we molly coddle our children today. Do we let our children have fun and experience what we did when we were growing up? I have great memories of seeing the OAPs cast adrift in a fast flowing river whilst the children stood and watched as well as playing in the dirt with worms, throwing rocks into streams but accidently landing them in my brothers head (I still say to this day that he walked out) Today we seem to smother our children and over protect from the world (I have no issue with this at times) covering them in antibacterial gel so they move round like seals in an oil slick. Anyway I digress, I'm good at it. The article that I read referred to the way children are brought up in Scandinavia. A lot of my educational thinking comes from there because I have the deepest respect for the way they school children. The article refers to children and their nap time, where when it is nap time, you won't find them in a cot inside, but either on balconies or outside and when the temperature gets to -15 then their parents will cover them in blankets. It help to fight illnesses etc. It just made me think of how we have changed as the years have gone by.
The article is here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21537988
Ok last bit for the blog this evening, another ramble through my disjointed mind tonight. Thanks for reading if you have, the answer to the last quiz question was Pandora Braithwaite, loads of correct answers and too many to mention but huge congrats to you all.
Tonight's quiz question is. What age do the children in Finland start school? My staff you are not allowed to answer.
In OAP news, well there isn't any, sadly......
No don't get all emotional, I haven't had any contact with them recently. I know I'm bad, but at least they will know I'm alive now that I have completed another blog. I look forward to another intriguing day and a very productive one tomorrow.
Have fun all. Mr. R.
Wake me up in a week please 15.2.13
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, (I haven't got a dog)
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out my bed, and let me sleep for awhile.
(adapted from poem by WH Auden, original can be seen on the Youtube clip below)
It is time to sleep. This will be the last blog for a week. Will I be able to stay away? Will I be drawn back into my digital world or will I last a week. If the last time I tried it is anything to go by. Who am I kidding! I won't be blogging, because my life outside isn't as spectacular as when I am in school. Makes me laugh that!!!!
I want to dedicate this blog today to all the staff at LGJS. I sat with them in briefing this morning (yes I do like being with them, they're not that bad. Love how it goes quiet when you walk into the room. Anyone else would be paranoid) and thanked them all for a brilliant half term. It was difficult to get the words out, due to brain and mouth not connecting together, but I thanked them because I meant it. This half term has been the best in the 4 years that I have been working at Lyndon Green. Why? Well, it is because of the effort and the determination to give our children the best start in life. I know it is a job and they get paid and they get holidays, but I'm not listening to all that gumf. I love how non teachers drag all the holiday babble up. I have an answer to it though and it is my standard answer...
Yes I know it is great! If you are so jealous come and join us because it is a great profession to be in.
So in my week off, I wonder how many days will I be working. Do I have to think about school? Yes course I do. Anyway, I digress. The staff have gone way beyond my expectations with our curriculum. They are giving the children amazing experiences as well as inspirational lessons. I really do appreciate you all. I hope you all have a great week off and relax, without your support and efforts we wouldn't be where we are now.
So no Achievement assembly, but it was a great opportunity to have a good sing song. Singing is like the sunshine, it energises! My favourite game, I don't do it on purpose, is to hype the children up and then release them back to the teachers. Such fun! I must remember to open the windows in the hall next time as 370 bodies giving it large makes you hot and sweaty. Never have I seen so many children throwing shapes at a song about Easter. (we are preparing already) Made me grin from ear to ear to see them. I had fun even if they didn't.
After a quick lie down, onwards to the magnificent six. (one got lost on the way) The last session before before the half term. It was time to show them the dreaded SATs test papers. I wish I hadn't. It was painful. And there lies the issue with testing! After four years at the Junior School, my children will be assessed for 45 minutes. The children are in our care for approximately 292,500 minutes and the test lasts for 45 minutes!!!!! Come on, it doesn't take anyone with a modicum of intelligence to work out that there has to be a better system than giving them a test to assess their knowledge. We used to test a lot here, but I put an end to it because I would rather trust my professionals to continually assess rather than rely on a single test at the end of 4 years.
I think we can all tell that today this school needs to close its eyes, that is evident in the lack of tweets and the lack of images on this blog. Like I said the other day, you have to put in the effort to get something out of it. We do.
The rest of today has been spent digitalising newsletters etc, as well as tidying and filing in my office. Always great fun!!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you if you are or are not directly linked with LGJS. Knowing that you are there is an amazing feeling. I want to leave you with one last thought before I set the final quiz question.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
I suppose it is a little like blogging your own ramblings, without comments or visitor indicators our school blogs would make no difference. In my opinion, of course there is a sound, but can understand that how do I prove it if no one can hear it. BIT DEEP
Last bit then I'm gone.
Answer to yesterdays question was.......... Swizzels Matlow. Mrs Wyatt was the first correct responder, but sadly disqualified because she was still in work, it was Parents Evening when she replied!!!! Tut Tut!! Therefore, the winner was Mrs. Brown.
So final question before half term. How do you spell separate?
(go on how many of you did it!)
Question: In the Adrian Mole Diaries, what is the surname of his girlfriend?
That's it I'm finished, don't miss me too much! Have a great break and let's do it again soon!
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, (I haven't got a dog)
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out my bed, and let me sleep for awhile.
(adapted from poem by WH Auden, original can be seen on the Youtube clip below)
It is time to sleep. This will be the last blog for a week. Will I be able to stay away? Will I be drawn back into my digital world or will I last a week. If the last time I tried it is anything to go by. Who am I kidding! I won't be blogging, because my life outside isn't as spectacular as when I am in school. Makes me laugh that!!!!
I want to dedicate this blog today to all the staff at LGJS. I sat with them in briefing this morning (yes I do like being with them, they're not that bad. Love how it goes quiet when you walk into the room. Anyone else would be paranoid) and thanked them all for a brilliant half term. It was difficult to get the words out, due to brain and mouth not connecting together, but I thanked them because I meant it. This half term has been the best in the 4 years that I have been working at Lyndon Green. Why? Well, it is because of the effort and the determination to give our children the best start in life. I know it is a job and they get paid and they get holidays, but I'm not listening to all that gumf. I love how non teachers drag all the holiday babble up. I have an answer to it though and it is my standard answer...
Yes I know it is great! If you are so jealous come and join us because it is a great profession to be in.
So in my week off, I wonder how many days will I be working. Do I have to think about school? Yes course I do. Anyway, I digress. The staff have gone way beyond my expectations with our curriculum. They are giving the children amazing experiences as well as inspirational lessons. I really do appreciate you all. I hope you all have a great week off and relax, without your support and efforts we wouldn't be where we are now.
So no Achievement assembly, but it was a great opportunity to have a good sing song. Singing is like the sunshine, it energises! My favourite game, I don't do it on purpose, is to hype the children up and then release them back to the teachers. Such fun! I must remember to open the windows in the hall next time as 370 bodies giving it large makes you hot and sweaty. Never have I seen so many children throwing shapes at a song about Easter. (we are preparing already) Made me grin from ear to ear to see them. I had fun even if they didn't.
After a quick lie down, onwards to the magnificent six. (one got lost on the way) The last session before before the half term. It was time to show them the dreaded SATs test papers. I wish I hadn't. It was painful. And there lies the issue with testing! After four years at the Junior School, my children will be assessed for 45 minutes. The children are in our care for approximately 292,500 minutes and the test lasts for 45 minutes!!!!! Come on, it doesn't take anyone with a modicum of intelligence to work out that there has to be a better system than giving them a test to assess their knowledge. We used to test a lot here, but I put an end to it because I would rather trust my professionals to continually assess rather than rely on a single test at the end of 4 years.
I think we can all tell that today this school needs to close its eyes, that is evident in the lack of tweets and the lack of images on this blog. Like I said the other day, you have to put in the effort to get something out of it. We do.
The rest of today has been spent digitalising newsletters etc, as well as tidying and filing in my office. Always great fun!!!!
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you if you are or are not directly linked with LGJS. Knowing that you are there is an amazing feeling. I want to leave you with one last thought before I set the final quiz question.
If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
I suppose it is a little like blogging your own ramblings, without comments or visitor indicators our school blogs would make no difference. In my opinion, of course there is a sound, but can understand that how do I prove it if no one can hear it. BIT DEEP
Last bit then I'm gone.
Answer to yesterdays question was.......... Swizzels Matlow. Mrs Wyatt was the first correct responder, but sadly disqualified because she was still in work, it was Parents Evening when she replied!!!! Tut Tut!! Therefore, the winner was Mrs. Brown.
So final question before half term. How do you spell separate?
(go on how many of you did it!)
Question: In the Adrian Mole Diaries, what is the surname of his girlfriend?
That's it I'm finished, don't miss me too much! Have a great break and let's do it again soon!
i have created a monster!!!!
The decision to blog or not to blog today was one that I have toyed with. The only reason why I wasn't going to blog was becasue today is one of those days that will be long, very long. However the draw of the blog keeps pulling me back in, even if it is to simply show the images from today, announce the winner of the quiz question yesterday and to say a huge well done to our final Year 5 class.
Part of my original decision to blog was to show what it is like being a HT, as well as opening the doors of our school. I think however I have created a monster!!!! It seems to have turned into part theory, part real life and taken over my life. I have had comments returned to me where they refer to points that I have made and agree that it has made them think or that it is inspired. This wasn't my original plan, because we all get things wrong and we don't all know the answers. I certainly don't. I am one of the first to be cynical when lectured about different issues. I like to be able to weigh up the facts and then make my own mind up. These thoughts are then my opinion and mine alone.
The monster has developed and it is growing and growing. I apologise if at times it is heavy going but like I said these are my ramblings......if you enjoy reading them please continue. If you don't, then parting is such a sad affair.
Onwards, because what has come before is intense.
Congratulations Simon Thompson, you were the first to respond with the correct answer that I got you babe was playing in the film Groundhog Day. You can see a clip of it below. Well done, brownie points to you.. Did you google it? If not I doft my cap to you sir.
Another day is drawing to a close, busy, busy, busy. It has been stated before, I would not have it any other way. It started once again with the final Year 5 class holding their Travel Fayre, Well done to Class 5E, it was brilliant, your models and presentations were excellent. I found out so much information about The lost gardens of Helligan and The Giants Causeway, even to the extent that I knew which bus to catch etc. You were all so confident in your delivery. Your families must be so proud of you and your achievements. I am.
I mustn't forget the manificent 7, they have even taken to calling it themselves now. It does make me chuckle to hear them using the term, but it does describe them really well. All of them have great personalities and bring something different to our Numeracy group. They have started multiplication from the very beginning today and coped magnificently well. I am hugely impressed by their attitude, even when things get difficult.
Parents Evening is just starting and once again we are using technology to record the views of the Parents. It is funny to see how comfortable the children are with technology but parents still find technology a complete anathema.(not everyone) It is wonderful to see children embrace technology.
Well unfortunately that is it for the evening, but before I go for the evening it is quiz time. Seeing as though it is Valentines Day,it has to be a love theme. So ........
Which company manufactured Love Hearts - packets of small round sweets each of which had a short message on?
Have fun. Mr. Rothwell
Part of my original decision to blog was to show what it is like being a HT, as well as opening the doors of our school. I think however I have created a monster!!!! It seems to have turned into part theory, part real life and taken over my life. I have had comments returned to me where they refer to points that I have made and agree that it has made them think or that it is inspired. This wasn't my original plan, because we all get things wrong and we don't all know the answers. I certainly don't. I am one of the first to be cynical when lectured about different issues. I like to be able to weigh up the facts and then make my own mind up. These thoughts are then my opinion and mine alone.
The monster has developed and it is growing and growing. I apologise if at times it is heavy going but like I said these are my ramblings......if you enjoy reading them please continue. If you don't, then parting is such a sad affair.
Onwards, because what has come before is intense.
Congratulations Simon Thompson, you were the first to respond with the correct answer that I got you babe was playing in the film Groundhog Day. You can see a clip of it below. Well done, brownie points to you.. Did you google it? If not I doft my cap to you sir.
Another day is drawing to a close, busy, busy, busy. It has been stated before, I would not have it any other way. It started once again with the final Year 5 class holding their Travel Fayre, Well done to Class 5E, it was brilliant, your models and presentations were excellent. I found out so much information about The lost gardens of Helligan and The Giants Causeway, even to the extent that I knew which bus to catch etc. You were all so confident in your delivery. Your families must be so proud of you and your achievements. I am.
I mustn't forget the manificent 7, they have even taken to calling it themselves now. It does make me chuckle to hear them using the term, but it does describe them really well. All of them have great personalities and bring something different to our Numeracy group. They have started multiplication from the very beginning today and coped magnificently well. I am hugely impressed by their attitude, even when things get difficult.
Parents Evening is just starting and once again we are using technology to record the views of the Parents. It is funny to see how comfortable the children are with technology but parents still find technology a complete anathema.(not everyone) It is wonderful to see children embrace technology.
Well unfortunately that is it for the evening, but before I go for the evening it is quiz time. Seeing as though it is Valentines Day,it has to be a love theme. So ........
Which company manufactured Love Hearts - packets of small round sweets each of which had a short message on?
Have fun. Mr. Rothwell
Time to energise and get excited by what we do! 13.2.13
I feel sorry for the person
who can't get genuinely excited about his work.
Not only will he never be satisfied,
but he will never achieve anything worthwhile
Walter Chrysler
The quote from Walter Chrysler is very true and today it is one that I must recall and put it in to my work. Whilst long days are part and parcel of this job, there are days when you want to stop the world and get off. To raise the enthusiasm levels in a school is very, very easy and requires doing every minute of the day. It is not driven from within, but from the external factors that are called children. How could anyone not be lifted and enthused by 370 children coming through the door every morning. Never a need for a false smile, because they lift you everyday and drive you on. If it ever gets to a point where driving to work everyday, feeling genuinely uninterested in the day ahead, then that will be the day to stop the car and reassess the commitment we all take up when we make that lifelong decision to become an educator. If your heart is not in it. Then change direction!
So tired as we might be, welcome one and all, it is a new day so let's get this show on the road and let's go to work. After last nights Parents Evening we had a really positive response to everything that we are doing. I feel that perception is one of the hardest things to shift and it only takes one dissenting voice in the crowd to change perceptions, however I feel that the work that we are doing at LGJS is inspiring and developing children's own interests and understanding in learning. Developing independence is a must for us and yes whilst we deal with a range of ages, we have to cater for everyone, from the joiners at Year 3 to the leavers at Year 6.
We haven't sat back today, we have continued to make sure that every day is a learning day and that every moment builds on the children's knowledge. Not only are we seen as educators, I feel there is a huge amount of work that we do that doesn't officially get recognised because it isn't written down in a document. So onwards. A great response from our Year 5 parents in attending Class 5B's Travel Fayre, it was great to see you all and the moment you entered the dining hall to see the work that the children had been completing can only be compared to the start of Charlie and the Chocolate factory, where the families entered the factory for the first time, a gasp of excitement and then the excited chatter started. Brilliant to witness. Have a look at the models on the pictures below, they are just the tip of the iceberg. The children had created Powerpoint presentations about locations in the UK. Just truly magical.
Thankyou to the visitors from Solihull Hospital today from the whole school, it really help to finalise our topics when experts come into school. They really managed to bring the learning alive. A huge thankyou from us all at LGJS. Time moves on so rapidly in school and I know that as a staff we will really reflect on the impact of our topic works and how it has a wider impact throughout the school and the wider curriculum.
A recent revolution taking place across the school at the moment is blogging, I for one have become obsessed and seem to talk about nothing else as well as sitting watching the visitor counter go up. The reason I mention this, is because I was fortunate to be visited by 3 pupils this afternoon from Class 4D. They came to show Mrs. Pitt and I their blogs. They were brilliant as they had managed to embed a video into it. I love the fact that our children are writing because they want to. Good news in this area in that over 30 of you signed up to be Angels at the Gates, to comment on the children's blogs. We hope for more support tomorrow night.
Another day draws to a close and another blog comes to an end, this must mean it is time for todays quiz question. The answer to the question yesterday was(fanfare) The Tokens, the googlers amongst you found out that it was written in 1939 and was a hit for Solomon Linda. It was also a hit in the 80s for Tight Fit but sadly not the correct answer
Please put your names on your comments so that I can mention you.
Sooooooo, tonights question is What song does the main character wake up to every morning in Groundhog Day?
Good Luck. Getting ready for another Parents Evening tomorrow. Let's play again tomorrow!
Today I shall mostly be.... (Not selling rice) 12.2.13
DISGUSTED, DISMAYED, APPALLED and CONCERNED.
Is it possible to be all of the above, I certainly think so. The reasons will become clear as we go along. Let me take you back 24 hours.....On last nights blog I set two quiz questions. Firstly, What major role I played in the stage version of The Sound of Music and secondly, What fastener has a crown, legs and teeth?
Let's deal with the first one and this is the reason for my shock and dismay. Loads of comments from everyone, more than ever actually, but none correct. Suggestions ranged from the Baronness to the mountains behind, most however likened my current role to that the occupational forces of the German army. Now I do not mind this comparison, what does leave me dismayed, and I know they are getting on a little but the OAPs left a comment that completely took my breath away. My own parents that have been my parents for my whole life didn't even remember that I was in the play. Even worse was that one of my sisters was in the orchestra as well. They obviously are losing it. So today I am DISMAYED, DISGUSTED, APPALLED and CONCERNED. Actually I am not concerned, it is what I now expect. It is pleasing to know that they have 24 hour supervision.
The answer to the fastener question was ........ STAPLE. Only one person got that correct, however they are disqualified aren't they Mrs Green!!!!!!
The role I played was Franz the Butler, a huge role in the stage play.
So today has come and gone and we are currently 15 minutes into Parents Evening and already school is very busy. The entrance hall is full of noise (positive noise) with a display of the children's digital artwork, feedback on iPads plus children from our Web Team encouraging parents to be come Angels at the Gates, asking them to comment on all the blogs that are taking place. The children really want to show off their ICT talents in recording their learning journey.
Today was once again filled with promises of good things to come. I spent the first part of the morning engrossed in Nursery Rhymes at another school. I actively encourage our staff to attend their own children's events as I feel it is important as well as it giving them an insight into the workings of other schools. Once we are within our own four walls, we can become very insular but at LGJS we are always looking outwards to school improvement and developing our own skills to match the best education systems of the world. So visiting my own child's (youngest) Inspire workshop to write about Nursery Rhymes was brilliant, it is four years since I was involved in a school that included an Infant and Nursery department, and to be honest I miss the days of exploring the very early days of children's learning and development, maybe that is the future....
I have to take this opportunity to express my absolute delight with the work of Year 5 today, I was inspired and totally blown away by the Travel Fayre. Without spoiling it too much because another couple of classes still have to present their work, it is amazing.
It is always great to see so many people attending our Parents Evening and the atmosphere has been brilliant tonight. You will all be delighted to see that no rice was on sale and that you escaped. However, I must remember that it was for such a great but I believe some of you are still fighting your way through it. I commend you for that!
Apologies for such a short blog tonight but it has been a long day. I do however leave you with the quiz question for today.
Who had a 60s No 1 hit with The Lion Sleeps Tonight?
Ok everyone I'm signing off for this evening. This is one tired HT.
Quick edit.....I said 60s band not 80s
Is it possible to be all of the above, I certainly think so. The reasons will become clear as we go along. Let me take you back 24 hours.....On last nights blog I set two quiz questions. Firstly, What major role I played in the stage version of The Sound of Music and secondly, What fastener has a crown, legs and teeth?
Let's deal with the first one and this is the reason for my shock and dismay. Loads of comments from everyone, more than ever actually, but none correct. Suggestions ranged from the Baronness to the mountains behind, most however likened my current role to that the occupational forces of the German army. Now I do not mind this comparison, what does leave me dismayed, and I know they are getting on a little but the OAPs left a comment that completely took my breath away. My own parents that have been my parents for my whole life didn't even remember that I was in the play. Even worse was that one of my sisters was in the orchestra as well. They obviously are losing it. So today I am DISMAYED, DISGUSTED, APPALLED and CONCERNED. Actually I am not concerned, it is what I now expect. It is pleasing to know that they have 24 hour supervision.
The answer to the fastener question was ........ STAPLE. Only one person got that correct, however they are disqualified aren't they Mrs Green!!!!!!
The role I played was Franz the Butler, a huge role in the stage play.
So today has come and gone and we are currently 15 minutes into Parents Evening and already school is very busy. The entrance hall is full of noise (positive noise) with a display of the children's digital artwork, feedback on iPads plus children from our Web Team encouraging parents to be come Angels at the Gates, asking them to comment on all the blogs that are taking place. The children really want to show off their ICT talents in recording their learning journey.
Today was once again filled with promises of good things to come. I spent the first part of the morning engrossed in Nursery Rhymes at another school. I actively encourage our staff to attend their own children's events as I feel it is important as well as it giving them an insight into the workings of other schools. Once we are within our own four walls, we can become very insular but at LGJS we are always looking outwards to school improvement and developing our own skills to match the best education systems of the world. So visiting my own child's (youngest) Inspire workshop to write about Nursery Rhymes was brilliant, it is four years since I was involved in a school that included an Infant and Nursery department, and to be honest I miss the days of exploring the very early days of children's learning and development, maybe that is the future....
I have to take this opportunity to express my absolute delight with the work of Year 5 today, I was inspired and totally blown away by the Travel Fayre. Without spoiling it too much because another couple of classes still have to present their work, it is amazing.
It is always great to see so many people attending our Parents Evening and the atmosphere has been brilliant tonight. You will all be delighted to see that no rice was on sale and that you escaped. However, I must remember that it was for such a great but I believe some of you are still fighting your way through it. I commend you for that!
Apologies for such a short blog tonight but it has been a long day. I do however leave you with the quiz question for today.
Who had a 60s No 1 hit with The Lion Sleeps Tonight?
Ok everyone I'm signing off for this evening. This is one tired HT.
Quick edit.....I said 60s band not 80s
More tales of woe!
Welcome back to yet another enthralling chapter in the world of LGJS. So where to start. In the words of Julie Andrews, 'Let's start at the very beginning......' Did you know that I once played a major starring role in a stage play of The Sound of Music? I don't want to big up the role too much, but it was significant. I think that we will have two quiz questions today, one that is a guess and one that is the official question of today.
So the question from Friday was, in what sport did Stephen Roche find fame? The answer to this question was cycling. So many of you got the answer, so well done. I did say that I would publish the name of the first responder with the correct answer. So huge fanfare, the winner is.........
JANET from BACUP. Thanks Janet, try again tonight. Who'd of thought it, that a HT blog would be read in far away exotic places like Bacup.
Ok onwards, let us proceed with today. After a bit of a surprise wake up this morning. I forgot to set the alarm, only woken up by a meowing of our cat Stanley. With much rushing around to catch up (glad I did the ironing the night before) it was out and about negotiating the fresh fall of snow waiting to see how many phone calls we get asking whether school is open or not. OF COURSE! Welcoming everyone into school with the warmth of the school belting out from behind us, it was great to see everyone, as usual our attendance is fab. I think LGJS pupils are the best!
This week sees the end of many topics as well as two Parents Evenings. I will definitely be blogging about all the events taking place this week and even trying to live blog during Parents Evenings. I'd like to take this opportunity to say sorry and to blame Mrs. Pitt for the bad timing of Parents Evening on Thursday. Yes, for the romantics amongst you, we can arrange a candlelit appointment with the teachers to discuss your child's progress, we do a mean cupasoup. In the background we might have to stream the best romantic classics throughout the school. I digress, I hope to see you all over the two nights, maybe you could all take some time to feedback through our iPads or to join Mr. Crees to become an Angel of the Gates. I think you are going to enjoy the feedback and see what the children have been doing.
So what happened in my world today? Rocket Science! The magnificent six arrived confidently aiming to conquer any challenge that I could throw at them. With the threat of having to stun them awake we proceeded to try a simple skill of rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100. Now this sounds easy, it is! But with the magnificent 6/7, nothing is easy. It ended up with me actually banging my head off my whiteboard, not on purpose I add, as well as saying good boy to a girl. They sure know how to frazzle your head. In the end we managed it. Everyone confidently carrying out the task. Mucho delighto on this HT's face. After shooing them out they proceeded to assembly with Mrs. Pitt for a bit of preaching and teaching. She seems to think that I would have made a good priest, much hilarity later. Just call me Father Gerrard....Wow it does have a certain ring to it. (The children know my name already)
The rest of the day was spent discussing finance and staffing arrangements for next year as well as doing the usual emails, lunchtime dinner duty, creating templates for tomorrow nights events and where did the time go..... it does fly so quickly, however it seems to go really quickly when the children are stuck inside all day. It is amazing sometimes when you seem to have just started a day and it has finished already.
On a Monday I have to leave early to do my own child care, little geek has ICT club at her own school and finishes at 4:20, so a quick dash to Kings Heath is needed and then on to pick her brother up from the child minders. I don't want to sound like a walking nightmare, klutz, calamitous type of person, but yet again I end the day with a hint of drama. Waiting to get into the house, it appears I cannot find my keys, after frantic searching, they seem to be nowhere. Plan of action......head to McDonalds for tea and make it an adventure whilst waiting for the current Mrs. R to get home with her set of keys. I have to say with fingers crossed behind my back, I had nothing to eat (cough, cough)
So what happened to the keys? I found them in the boot of my car, why I do not know. Tomorrow will be a good, organised and calamity free day. I hope!
All in all, Monday was a quiet day. A quick note though, thanks to Lemar in 10m, Did you know ladybirds lose their spots or they fade as they get older!!!???
In OAP news, I have nothing to report, apart from today was their false teeth fitting day. I pity the poor dentist, the last one had gum marks for ages after they had visited the home.
Once again thanks for reading my ramblings but I am sure you will agree being a HT isn't all glamorous, it is funfilled and if anyone would like to swap roles for the day, put it in writing and I will ignore it, I wouldn't swap it for the world.
Ok, who is the egghead amongst you.
First quiz question.
What sort of fastener has a crown, legs and teeth?
Second question
What role did I play in The Sound of Music? Hint it was not a nun!
Not many photos today but below are new links that we tweeted today, please take a look at the work of the children
https://picasaweb.google.com/103561914954253194399/ForestSchoolPicasso?authuser=0
(super Picasso artwork)
https://picasaweb.google.com/103561914954253194399/ForestSchoolPhotoArt?authuser=0
(amazing photography by LGJS pupils)
So the question from Friday was, in what sport did Stephen Roche find fame? The answer to this question was cycling. So many of you got the answer, so well done. I did say that I would publish the name of the first responder with the correct answer. So huge fanfare, the winner is.........
JANET from BACUP. Thanks Janet, try again tonight. Who'd of thought it, that a HT blog would be read in far away exotic places like Bacup.
Ok onwards, let us proceed with today. After a bit of a surprise wake up this morning. I forgot to set the alarm, only woken up by a meowing of our cat Stanley. With much rushing around to catch up (glad I did the ironing the night before) it was out and about negotiating the fresh fall of snow waiting to see how many phone calls we get asking whether school is open or not. OF COURSE! Welcoming everyone into school with the warmth of the school belting out from behind us, it was great to see everyone, as usual our attendance is fab. I think LGJS pupils are the best!
This week sees the end of many topics as well as two Parents Evenings. I will definitely be blogging about all the events taking place this week and even trying to live blog during Parents Evenings. I'd like to take this opportunity to say sorry and to blame Mrs. Pitt for the bad timing of Parents Evening on Thursday. Yes, for the romantics amongst you, we can arrange a candlelit appointment with the teachers to discuss your child's progress, we do a mean cupasoup. In the background we might have to stream the best romantic classics throughout the school. I digress, I hope to see you all over the two nights, maybe you could all take some time to feedback through our iPads or to join Mr. Crees to become an Angel of the Gates. I think you are going to enjoy the feedback and see what the children have been doing.
So what happened in my world today? Rocket Science! The magnificent six arrived confidently aiming to conquer any challenge that I could throw at them. With the threat of having to stun them awake we proceeded to try a simple skill of rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100. Now this sounds easy, it is! But with the magnificent 6/7, nothing is easy. It ended up with me actually banging my head off my whiteboard, not on purpose I add, as well as saying good boy to a girl. They sure know how to frazzle your head. In the end we managed it. Everyone confidently carrying out the task. Mucho delighto on this HT's face. After shooing them out they proceeded to assembly with Mrs. Pitt for a bit of preaching and teaching. She seems to think that I would have made a good priest, much hilarity later. Just call me Father Gerrard....Wow it does have a certain ring to it. (The children know my name already)
The rest of the day was spent discussing finance and staffing arrangements for next year as well as doing the usual emails, lunchtime dinner duty, creating templates for tomorrow nights events and where did the time go..... it does fly so quickly, however it seems to go really quickly when the children are stuck inside all day. It is amazing sometimes when you seem to have just started a day and it has finished already.
On a Monday I have to leave early to do my own child care, little geek has ICT club at her own school and finishes at 4:20, so a quick dash to Kings Heath is needed and then on to pick her brother up from the child minders. I don't want to sound like a walking nightmare, klutz, calamitous type of person, but yet again I end the day with a hint of drama. Waiting to get into the house, it appears I cannot find my keys, after frantic searching, they seem to be nowhere. Plan of action......head to McDonalds for tea and make it an adventure whilst waiting for the current Mrs. R to get home with her set of keys. I have to say with fingers crossed behind my back, I had nothing to eat (cough, cough)
So what happened to the keys? I found them in the boot of my car, why I do not know. Tomorrow will be a good, organised and calamity free day. I hope!
All in all, Monday was a quiet day. A quick note though, thanks to Lemar in 10m, Did you know ladybirds lose their spots or they fade as they get older!!!???
In OAP news, I have nothing to report, apart from today was their false teeth fitting day. I pity the poor dentist, the last one had gum marks for ages after they had visited the home.
Once again thanks for reading my ramblings but I am sure you will agree being a HT isn't all glamorous, it is funfilled and if anyone would like to swap roles for the day, put it in writing and I will ignore it, I wouldn't swap it for the world.
Ok, who is the egghead amongst you.
First quiz question.
What sort of fastener has a crown, legs and teeth?
Second question
What role did I play in The Sound of Music? Hint it was not a nun!
Not many photos today but below are new links that we tweeted today, please take a look at the work of the children
https://picasaweb.google.com/103561914954253194399/ForestSchoolPicasso?authuser=0
(super Picasso artwork)
https://picasaweb.google.com/103561914954253194399/ForestSchoolPhotoArt?authuser=0
(amazing photography by LGJS pupils)