please give me a title? 3.5.13
Another glorious start to the day in the Midlands, you have been praying hard. Thank you and long may it continue. Another Friday and another brilliant class assembly. This time Class 3E got the opportunity to share their learning with the whole school and a room packed with family members. In addition to this we are lucky to have the Sparrowhawks class from the Infants on their first visit to the Junior School as part of their transition programme.
Back to the assembly, we were entertained and astounded with the amount of facts and information that our youngest children in the school knew. The learning that they shared was all in relation to their topic last half term. Disaster Zones. This topic looked at natural disasters and how they occur, the science behind Volcanoes etc. It also allowed the children to use mapping skills, literacy and much more. Today was a real whirlwind through their topic. They projected their voices superbly well and spoke with real clarity. I was very impressed with the confidence that they exhibited. I am sure, that like me all the audience was very proud of their achievements. We look forward to the other Year 3 classes over the next two weeks. (I have attached the very catchy Volcano Song to the bottom of the blog, it is a definite ear worm and will stick in your head for ages)
Quick dash from the hall to the classroom and the magnificent 7. Truly remarkable session today. How to tell the time in under 45 minutes, putting it in a mathematical sentence and having the confidence to share it in front of everyone. They have been praised to the hilt today and asked to do one simple thing. To sleep with their fingers in their ears to prevent the information from seeping out. They thought I was joking!!!!!
Time to move on and complete the newsletter which you can see below. Highlights include
As usual the afternoon has been spent tweeting and digitalising everything so that it can be put to sleep until after the weekend. As the week draws to a close, it has been another super week, I have had loads of visits this week from children all eager to show their work and their skills. The classes have been calm and purposeful. Next week is just as busy with it being a four day week, it includes a trip to the Apple store in Solihull with the Web Team to do some training. I cannot wait.
I have lost all inspiration to come up with a blog title today, hence the title. Sometimes the blog flows freely and at other times it becomes quite difficult, if you read yesterdays and 119 of you read it, you may have guessed it was a tad bit difficult to write having not been in school. It also made me sound highly intellectual. It is amazing what having a best friend called Google can do for ones self esteem. You ask it a question and it gives you a myriad of answers, it doesn't argue, it merely suggests alternatives. Who could live without it? (Other search engines are also available)
A couple of observations to finish the week. Apple reporting it is nearly at the 50 billionth download from the app store!!!!!! Wow. This blog hits over 650 reads a week (6301 unique visitors in 5 months), it would therefore take 76,923,076 weeks or 6,410,256 years to reach 50 billion views. I think not.
Another thing I have witnessed this week, windshields on bicycles!!!!!Really, I hope it doesn't catch on, I can just see the yellow jersey going over Alpe D'Huez in the Tour De France with a windscreen. Not really
That is all for this week and the blog will take an extended break due to the Bank holiday. I hope you have a fabulous break. What's in store for me? The start of the Giro D'Italia, I will be glued to it, cheering on Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins (shame they no longer race on the same team) and then it is little geeks birthday on Monday and she has requested to go to Birdland. I have no problem because it is in the Cotswolds and I love being out there. I hope the weather holds and the sky is filled with the sound of lawnmowers.
Back to the assembly, we were entertained and astounded with the amount of facts and information that our youngest children in the school knew. The learning that they shared was all in relation to their topic last half term. Disaster Zones. This topic looked at natural disasters and how they occur, the science behind Volcanoes etc. It also allowed the children to use mapping skills, literacy and much more. Today was a real whirlwind through their topic. They projected their voices superbly well and spoke with real clarity. I was very impressed with the confidence that they exhibited. I am sure, that like me all the audience was very proud of their achievements. We look forward to the other Year 3 classes over the next two weeks. (I have attached the very catchy Volcano Song to the bottom of the blog, it is a definite ear worm and will stick in your head for ages)
Quick dash from the hall to the classroom and the magnificent 7. Truly remarkable session today. How to tell the time in under 45 minutes, putting it in a mathematical sentence and having the confidence to share it in front of everyone. They have been praised to the hilt today and asked to do one simple thing. To sleep with their fingers in their ears to prevent the information from seeping out. They thought I was joking!!!!!
Time to move on and complete the newsletter which you can see below. Highlights include
- Children having their work published
- 97.55% attendance and Class 10M 100% attendance and trophy winners
- Birmingham Champions - Year 4/5 boys football
As usual the afternoon has been spent tweeting and digitalising everything so that it can be put to sleep until after the weekend. As the week draws to a close, it has been another super week, I have had loads of visits this week from children all eager to show their work and their skills. The classes have been calm and purposeful. Next week is just as busy with it being a four day week, it includes a trip to the Apple store in Solihull with the Web Team to do some training. I cannot wait.
I have lost all inspiration to come up with a blog title today, hence the title. Sometimes the blog flows freely and at other times it becomes quite difficult, if you read yesterdays and 119 of you read it, you may have guessed it was a tad bit difficult to write having not been in school. It also made me sound highly intellectual. It is amazing what having a best friend called Google can do for ones self esteem. You ask it a question and it gives you a myriad of answers, it doesn't argue, it merely suggests alternatives. Who could live without it? (Other search engines are also available)
A couple of observations to finish the week. Apple reporting it is nearly at the 50 billionth download from the app store!!!!!! Wow. This blog hits over 650 reads a week (6301 unique visitors in 5 months), it would therefore take 76,923,076 weeks or 6,410,256 years to reach 50 billion views. I think not.
Another thing I have witnessed this week, windshields on bicycles!!!!!Really, I hope it doesn't catch on, I can just see the yellow jersey going over Alpe D'Huez in the Tour De France with a windscreen. Not really
That is all for this week and the blog will take an extended break due to the Bank holiday. I hope you have a fabulous break. What's in store for me? The start of the Giro D'Italia, I will be glued to it, cheering on Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins (shame they no longer race on the same team) and then it is little geeks birthday on Monday and she has requested to go to Birdland. I have no problem because it is in the Cotswolds and I love being out there. I hope the weather holds and the sky is filled with the sound of lawnmowers.
make hay while the sun shines 2.5.13
They certainly did...... I suppose the title of the blog this evening, links to last nights blog. To make hay while the sun shines means to make the most of one opportunities whilst you can. It first originated or appeared in 1546, a proverb found in John Heywood's A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue,
Whan the sunne shinth make hay. Whiche is to say.
Take time whan time cometh, lest time steale away.
The proverb seems to have its origin in Tudor England. Medieval farmers would be as well aware of the wisdom of not leaving it too late to gather one's hay. Modern machinery and weather forecasting make haymaking reasonably quick and stress-free. Tudor farmers would have taken several days to cut, dry and gather their hay and would have had only folk rhymes like 'red sky at night' to guide them. Forecasting the weather two or three says in advance wouldn't have been possible, so all the more reason for them to 'make hay while the sun shines'.
So today they definitely did, we definitely broke down the walls of our classrooms today and much fun and work was enjoyed outside and in the shade of our large trees. The sunneth definitely shineth and whilst I was stuck in a room with 15 other HT's our children were enjoying the sun shine whilst trying to focus on their work. Good on them too, we have to grasp it with everything that we have got, we don't get many glorious days in school but today was one of those. Whilst this isn't a tropical climate it does put a fresh perspective on what we do.
Only a very short blog today as it is difficult to write about something when you have not been there. However, I am looking forward to the start of our class assemblies again tomorrow. Class 3E will be sharing their learning with everyone, as well as a visiting Year2 class who are on the very first part of their transition project. So it will be a huge warm welcome to them from everyone in the Juniors. We aren't frightening or scary, simply just a little taller. See you all tomorrow. Mr. R.
Whan the sunne shinth make hay. Whiche is to say.
Take time whan time cometh, lest time steale away.
The proverb seems to have its origin in Tudor England. Medieval farmers would be as well aware of the wisdom of not leaving it too late to gather one's hay. Modern machinery and weather forecasting make haymaking reasonably quick and stress-free. Tudor farmers would have taken several days to cut, dry and gather their hay and would have had only folk rhymes like 'red sky at night' to guide them. Forecasting the weather two or three says in advance wouldn't have been possible, so all the more reason for them to 'make hay while the sun shines'.
So today they definitely did, we definitely broke down the walls of our classrooms today and much fun and work was enjoyed outside and in the shade of our large trees. The sunneth definitely shineth and whilst I was stuck in a room with 15 other HT's our children were enjoying the sun shine whilst trying to focus on their work. Good on them too, we have to grasp it with everything that we have got, we don't get many glorious days in school but today was one of those. Whilst this isn't a tropical climate it does put a fresh perspective on what we do.
Only a very short blog today as it is difficult to write about something when you have not been there. However, I am looking forward to the start of our class assemblies again tomorrow. Class 3E will be sharing their learning with everyone, as well as a visiting Year2 class who are on the very first part of their transition project. So it will be a huge warm welcome to them from everyone in the Juniors. We aren't frightening or scary, simply just a little taller. See you all tomorrow. Mr. R.
you say sun, i say shine 1.5.13
Question? When you are faced with something that niggles away at you, do you run? Or do you address it?
If you run from it, does that mean the problem goes away? I don't think so, the problem is still there, it just lies a little further away and has the potential to still come back. If you address the issue and tell it to stop, surely this helps piece of mind as well as confronting the issue, allowing the niggle to understand that your are not best pleased.
A real life situation occurs many times in schools when you bring 370 children together, each with their own personalities. You cannot make everyone like each other, but what we can do is to teach tolerance and also ways of mediating when issues arise. There are always occasions when children fall out, but what we do, is to ask the children to talk about their feelings, in a way to mediate, to make sure we move forward with a solution rather than allowing the issue to get bigger and bigger. As adults, if something bothers you, then you address this through talk. The complexities of the way we all live these days and the way in which we run as a school is to address the issues to make our children understand what is socially acceptable so that when they grow up they choose the right way to deal with friendships and things that niggle you.
Where did that come from? It is strange what goes through your mind on a monotonous drive home. Remember along time ago I wrote on here that you know when it is time to move when you cannot find another way home and the journey becomes a real plod. You also know when it is time to take that leap when you start thinking about it and exploring other possibilities. Nothing in life should ever hold you back. Every opportunity should be grasped and not regretted. What can any of us lose as humans by building on our experience bank. Life lessons!!!
Thank you all so much for the sunshine, it really lifts the soul, makes everything glow and it allows us to appreciate what we have as a school, brilliant ground space. Today was fun filled as per usual.
The magnificent 7 were in magnificent form, we have moved on from graphs to the dreaded TIME. Boy did it stand still today. Please, don't get me wrong I am not belittling my 7 little numeracy warriors, I love every second with them, it is a challenge because I want them to have every opportunity to succeed, but some days.......
So this is my session in a nutshell. I was starting slowly, building up to a crescendo of converting 24 hour clock.
Me: Is 6am, am or pm? (deliberately saying 6am)
Them: pm, it is definitely afternoon.
Here endeth the lesson, no crescendo, no riding that crest of a wave into 24 hour clock, nope it was back to basics of when am and pm are. DAAAAARRRRRRN.
I went swimming this afternoon, I hasten to add, not on my own. I can just imagine the headlines now. Perhaps that could be your challenge. Can you write me a headline announcing HT takes afternoon off to go swimming? I accompanied Class 4S on their weekly trip to the swimming pool and I loved it, it took me right back to the days of teaching swimming at Northfield baths with my Year 3 class from Bellfield Junior School.
One particular time I remember really well. The children all got changed brilliantly, regimented as usual and one of my pupils came and asked if her new swimming costume was ok, she was really proud of it as her mum had bought it especially for swimming lessons. Much praise for such a lovely costume and then..... she turned around to walk towards the showers and sadly this beautiful costume that she was so proud of, turned into a Newly Qualified Teachers nightmare. It wasn't the most appropriate of costumes to swim in. Yes it was a thong swimming costume. Sadly, I had to explain that it did not meet the swimming regulations and that she wouldn't be able to swim. Memories like that will never disappear.
That is enough for me tonight, don't want to bore you any further. Have fun. Only half a day in school for me tomorrow, I will be joining up with 15 other HT's as part of our local consortium. My favourite meeting as it really is a good support network. I do however get to follow what is happening in school through our twitter site. So I am watching!
If you run from it, does that mean the problem goes away? I don't think so, the problem is still there, it just lies a little further away and has the potential to still come back. If you address the issue and tell it to stop, surely this helps piece of mind as well as confronting the issue, allowing the niggle to understand that your are not best pleased.
A real life situation occurs many times in schools when you bring 370 children together, each with their own personalities. You cannot make everyone like each other, but what we can do is to teach tolerance and also ways of mediating when issues arise. There are always occasions when children fall out, but what we do, is to ask the children to talk about their feelings, in a way to mediate, to make sure we move forward with a solution rather than allowing the issue to get bigger and bigger. As adults, if something bothers you, then you address this through talk. The complexities of the way we all live these days and the way in which we run as a school is to address the issues to make our children understand what is socially acceptable so that when they grow up they choose the right way to deal with friendships and things that niggle you.
Where did that come from? It is strange what goes through your mind on a monotonous drive home. Remember along time ago I wrote on here that you know when it is time to move when you cannot find another way home and the journey becomes a real plod. You also know when it is time to take that leap when you start thinking about it and exploring other possibilities. Nothing in life should ever hold you back. Every opportunity should be grasped and not regretted. What can any of us lose as humans by building on our experience bank. Life lessons!!!
Thank you all so much for the sunshine, it really lifts the soul, makes everything glow and it allows us to appreciate what we have as a school, brilliant ground space. Today was fun filled as per usual.
The magnificent 7 were in magnificent form, we have moved on from graphs to the dreaded TIME. Boy did it stand still today. Please, don't get me wrong I am not belittling my 7 little numeracy warriors, I love every second with them, it is a challenge because I want them to have every opportunity to succeed, but some days.......
So this is my session in a nutshell. I was starting slowly, building up to a crescendo of converting 24 hour clock.
Me: Is 6am, am or pm? (deliberately saying 6am)
Them: pm, it is definitely afternoon.
Here endeth the lesson, no crescendo, no riding that crest of a wave into 24 hour clock, nope it was back to basics of when am and pm are. DAAAAARRRRRRN.
I went swimming this afternoon, I hasten to add, not on my own. I can just imagine the headlines now. Perhaps that could be your challenge. Can you write me a headline announcing HT takes afternoon off to go swimming? I accompanied Class 4S on their weekly trip to the swimming pool and I loved it, it took me right back to the days of teaching swimming at Northfield baths with my Year 3 class from Bellfield Junior School.
One particular time I remember really well. The children all got changed brilliantly, regimented as usual and one of my pupils came and asked if her new swimming costume was ok, she was really proud of it as her mum had bought it especially for swimming lessons. Much praise for such a lovely costume and then..... she turned around to walk towards the showers and sadly this beautiful costume that she was so proud of, turned into a Newly Qualified Teachers nightmare. It wasn't the most appropriate of costumes to swim in. Yes it was a thong swimming costume. Sadly, I had to explain that it did not meet the swimming regulations and that she wouldn't be able to swim. Memories like that will never disappear.
That is enough for me tonight, don't want to bore you any further. Have fun. Only half a day in school for me tomorrow, I will be joining up with 15 other HT's as part of our local consortium. My favourite meeting as it really is a good support network. I do however get to follow what is happening in school through our twitter site. So I am watching!
I can see clearly now..... 30.4.13
I really can. Definite clarity. Driving in to work this morning on such a glorious day in the Midlands, it really does make you feel a whole lot different and to top it all off, 'Beautiful Day' by U2 played on the radio. You couldn't make it up really, it really did feel completely different.
Without putting a real downer on things, when a day starts as well as it does, everything is clear. No rowing from my own children, both helpful when making their way to the childminders (apart from trying to trick her with a bandage on her arm) it felt peaceful and perfect. I think I need to live in a climate where everyday starts with blue skies, it really does lift the soul. Gosh, sounding very spiritual today.
Anyway onto a very long day of fun and busy, busy, busy. I love days like this. Lots of brilliant children visiting with some superb work to show everyone.
The definition of clarity is, the clearness of appearance or the clearness of thought or style. Well there definitely was a clarity of the sky this morning but whether I write with clarity or perception is another thing. I often confuse myself sometimes, but where school is concerned I know what I want for our children and I know the route to get there, definite clarity. Just a lot of hard work along the way.
So onto the school day from my angle, a busy Tuesday as normal, always starting with ensuring the children are all ok, picking up on any issues that need dealing with or parents needing time. Trying to calm all the Aston Villa fans, after the euphoria of last night, was fun, apparently they are going to win the Champions league etc. Please, not to burst your bubble, it was only Sunderland and about time too.
The magnificent 7......
That's all I want to say. Actually, that is unfair of me, we know we are two weeks away from SATs, (actually the papers arrived this evening and accordance with the regulations they are stored away securely) so we are all a little jittery and we still have so much to do, moved on from fractions and onto graphs today. After distinguishing whether its graff or grawph (Northern or Southern) it was down to a whistle stop tour of reading them, picking out key information and realistically trying not to cry. Best answer today was.
Me: Between which two times does the temperature rise by 2 degrees?
Answer: 14.
And that sums up our learning. I then told them how I would need a lie down in a darkened room after this, instead they decided they would shrink me and put me in the safe. You see what I have to put up with. Great fun though and actually they don't like to show it, but they all understood what we were trying to achieve.
The rest of the day was spent on paperwork as well as updating my new gadget. I needed a new computer for my office so that our Finance Officers could carry out their work, so naturally it has got to be accessible for me as well. It is now up and running and all my document are now accessible on that machine as well.
Long meeting after school this evening with our Year Leaders, reviewing, planning and decision making. Lots of laughter as well. I do feel it is important to laugh and to try and make sure the atmosphere is as jovial as possible, we don't need the fun police at a school, we have to try and make sure the school is filled with laughter. I heard a great saying today from a member of staff, 'I don't like to have any time off just in case I miss something.' Simply brilliant!!
The day was interspersed with lovely work and such a variety today from beautiful writing from Lajiri (it did end up with us watching a One Direction video and discussing the individual merits of each of the band members) to Spanish recorded on an iPad. (I had to tweet it) It was great to see such a variety. Thank you to all our children for making everyday great fun.
So I have come to an end for this evening and for clarity sake, could I please ask everyone to PRAY that this weather continues so that every mornings drive to sunny Sheldon is full of peace and clear thoughts.
Without putting a real downer on things, when a day starts as well as it does, everything is clear. No rowing from my own children, both helpful when making their way to the childminders (apart from trying to trick her with a bandage on her arm) it felt peaceful and perfect. I think I need to live in a climate where everyday starts with blue skies, it really does lift the soul. Gosh, sounding very spiritual today.
Anyway onto a very long day of fun and busy, busy, busy. I love days like this. Lots of brilliant children visiting with some superb work to show everyone.
The definition of clarity is, the clearness of appearance or the clearness of thought or style. Well there definitely was a clarity of the sky this morning but whether I write with clarity or perception is another thing. I often confuse myself sometimes, but where school is concerned I know what I want for our children and I know the route to get there, definite clarity. Just a lot of hard work along the way.
So onto the school day from my angle, a busy Tuesday as normal, always starting with ensuring the children are all ok, picking up on any issues that need dealing with or parents needing time. Trying to calm all the Aston Villa fans, after the euphoria of last night, was fun, apparently they are going to win the Champions league etc. Please, not to burst your bubble, it was only Sunderland and about time too.
The magnificent 7......
That's all I want to say. Actually, that is unfair of me, we know we are two weeks away from SATs, (actually the papers arrived this evening and accordance with the regulations they are stored away securely) so we are all a little jittery and we still have so much to do, moved on from fractions and onto graphs today. After distinguishing whether its graff or grawph (Northern or Southern) it was down to a whistle stop tour of reading them, picking out key information and realistically trying not to cry. Best answer today was.
Me: Between which two times does the temperature rise by 2 degrees?
Answer: 14.
And that sums up our learning. I then told them how I would need a lie down in a darkened room after this, instead they decided they would shrink me and put me in the safe. You see what I have to put up with. Great fun though and actually they don't like to show it, but they all understood what we were trying to achieve.
The rest of the day was spent on paperwork as well as updating my new gadget. I needed a new computer for my office so that our Finance Officers could carry out their work, so naturally it has got to be accessible for me as well. It is now up and running and all my document are now accessible on that machine as well.
Long meeting after school this evening with our Year Leaders, reviewing, planning and decision making. Lots of laughter as well. I do feel it is important to laugh and to try and make sure the atmosphere is as jovial as possible, we don't need the fun police at a school, we have to try and make sure the school is filled with laughter. I heard a great saying today from a member of staff, 'I don't like to have any time off just in case I miss something.' Simply brilliant!!
The day was interspersed with lovely work and such a variety today from beautiful writing from Lajiri (it did end up with us watching a One Direction video and discussing the individual merits of each of the band members) to Spanish recorded on an iPad. (I had to tweet it) It was great to see such a variety. Thank you to all our children for making everyday great fun.
So I have come to an end for this evening and for clarity sake, could I please ask everyone to PRAY that this weather continues so that every mornings drive to sunny Sheldon is full of peace and clear thoughts.
Role models and much more..... 26.4.13
It's here. What a week! We have been everywhere this week and done almost everything, we are all ready for the weekend to recharge and come at it again.
Been an incredibly busy day today, very children intensive, which I like. The day started well with our weekly Achievement Certificate winners, you can see pictures of them in the slide show below. The words role models are bandied about far too much these days. It is usually linked to overpaid professional footballers and how they should act as role models for a generation, seeing as though they are hero worshipped by so many. Well, in a week where we have seen a very well paid footballer think it is acceptable to bite another fellow professional and so many appalled at the length of a ban, then I am proud to say to Mr. Suarez and friends, you are not role models, these children who achieved and achieved so well today could teach you a thing or two about respect, working together and proving a point and they don't get paid an extortionate amounts of money to do it, they have done it because they want to.
As well as our Achievement Certificates, I also handed out a number of certificates to children for activities outside of school or beyond what we do on a daily basis. These can also be seen in the slideshow below. Swimming awards and a number of Grade 3 Violin awards. Whilst we acknowledge that our school is sporty, I also know that we have a group of incredibly gifted musicians. From someone who has no musical talent whatsoever, to listen to these children really does take your breath away. (Blimey a real Brummie term) After an hour and severe cramp for one of the pupils it was definitely time to move on, tidy up and prepare for Numeracy.
The return of the magnificent 7 brought a chill down my spine, memories of yesterday and the 20 minutes I will never get back. But guess what? Completely different today, I tried a completely different approach this morning and went completely practical. The task today was to find the fraction of a number. Success, I am so proud of all 7 of them, no matter how simple our task seemed, in the end they managed to do everything I asked of them. On Monday I will have to try and remove the practical element from the task as, to their dismay, they won't be allowed to use Lego during the SATs tests.
I have spent the rest of the day writing up reports, planning my timetable for next week and digitalising lots of documents to be uploaded on to Twitter. This has all been interspersed with visits from children to show their work. I have seen some great things today, super Artwork and great Literacy. I love it when the children bring their work, they really do have a sense of pride in what they have done. Why is it that a simple sticker means so much? The children love them.
Loads going on around school and you can get a real flavour from the pictures below and from reading the children's blogs. I will attach the interactive image again that gives you the links to all the blogs in one place, have a read of what the children are doing and if you would like to leave a comment, it does make their day.
That's all folks, time to shut up shop, turn off the computers (a slight fib) and make the most of the weekend. I hope you all have a brilliant weekend and that you enjoy every second, because before we know it, Monday will be back round again and it will be another week filled with brilliant things. Have a good one. Mr. R.
Last bit.... Play pods from the post yesterday really do seem to have struck home with many readers of the blog. I think it is the endless possibilities of imaginary and creative ideas that really makes me think.....yes it is a great idea..
Been an incredibly busy day today, very children intensive, which I like. The day started well with our weekly Achievement Certificate winners, you can see pictures of them in the slide show below. The words role models are bandied about far too much these days. It is usually linked to overpaid professional footballers and how they should act as role models for a generation, seeing as though they are hero worshipped by so many. Well, in a week where we have seen a very well paid footballer think it is acceptable to bite another fellow professional and so many appalled at the length of a ban, then I am proud to say to Mr. Suarez and friends, you are not role models, these children who achieved and achieved so well today could teach you a thing or two about respect, working together and proving a point and they don't get paid an extortionate amounts of money to do it, they have done it because they want to.
As well as our Achievement Certificates, I also handed out a number of certificates to children for activities outside of school or beyond what we do on a daily basis. These can also be seen in the slideshow below. Swimming awards and a number of Grade 3 Violin awards. Whilst we acknowledge that our school is sporty, I also know that we have a group of incredibly gifted musicians. From someone who has no musical talent whatsoever, to listen to these children really does take your breath away. (Blimey a real Brummie term) After an hour and severe cramp for one of the pupils it was definitely time to move on, tidy up and prepare for Numeracy.
The return of the magnificent 7 brought a chill down my spine, memories of yesterday and the 20 minutes I will never get back. But guess what? Completely different today, I tried a completely different approach this morning and went completely practical. The task today was to find the fraction of a number. Success, I am so proud of all 7 of them, no matter how simple our task seemed, in the end they managed to do everything I asked of them. On Monday I will have to try and remove the practical element from the task as, to their dismay, they won't be allowed to use Lego during the SATs tests.
I have spent the rest of the day writing up reports, planning my timetable for next week and digitalising lots of documents to be uploaded on to Twitter. This has all been interspersed with visits from children to show their work. I have seen some great things today, super Artwork and great Literacy. I love it when the children bring their work, they really do have a sense of pride in what they have done. Why is it that a simple sticker means so much? The children love them.
Loads going on around school and you can get a real flavour from the pictures below and from reading the children's blogs. I will attach the interactive image again that gives you the links to all the blogs in one place, have a read of what the children are doing and if you would like to leave a comment, it does make their day.
That's all folks, time to shut up shop, turn off the computers (a slight fib) and make the most of the weekend. I hope you all have a brilliant weekend and that you enjoy every second, because before we know it, Monday will be back round again and it will be another week filled with brilliant things. Have a good one. Mr. R.
Last bit.... Play pods from the post yesterday really do seem to have struck home with many readers of the blog. I think it is the endless possibilities of imaginary and creative ideas that really makes me think.....yes it is a great idea..
If you look up, you might see more than you'd expect 25.4.13
Did you know that if you looked up at the moon this evening you would have seen a partial eclipse of the moon? No? Is that because we don't look up often enough these days? Ancient civilisation alway looked to the skies, it helped to predict the future, tell the time and act as a God. But the world we live in means we don't have time to look up. This can be summed up beautifully by William Henry Davies
What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
One of the greatest element to Twitter is that everyday images are being photographed and beamed back to Earth by Commander Hadfield, his twitter tag is cmdr_hadfield, he is currently up in space. If you use Twitter and don't follow him then you have missed out, he tweets live photos of the world as the ISS (International Space Station) continues to orbit the Earth. Even more slightly strange, is the fact that if you look to the skies at certain times you can see the ISS shooting across the sky, knowing that he is in it looking down on us and photographing us, feels a little unsettling. Just think about it for a while. Sometimes when you look up, you get more than you bargained for.
A much better day today, I left my chair, (hurrah) loads done, as well as very exciting meeting which a number of the children saw happening. The day started with a quick catch up with Mrs. P, after her jolly at the Eco conference yesterday. Told me some great things which I don't think we will copy. How about a £300,000 observatory on a school which cannot be used at night??????Common sense?
To use the old football cliche, Numeracy was a game of two halves. The first half saw me getting giddy with excitement and the second half, drowning is despair. So what happened? After a quick recap on the learning that had taken place yesterday to ensure that the information hadn't been sucked out overnight, (it hadn't and I was happy) I decided to move the magnificent 7 on to Improper fractions, it was all going so well, I was excited at the learning and at how quickly they grasped the concept. As long as I kept it visual and showed them how to complete it visually we were onto a winner. OH HAPPY DAYS. What transpired from that moment of euphoria was the biggest trough ever, forget triple dip recession. I didn't want to overload them so I thought we would quickly look at equivalent fractions and comparing them using < > and a fraction wall. OH DEAR, let me say clearly here and now, can I please have from 10:00 to 10:25 back. If anyone knows any random timelords I would like that short period in my life back so that I can make the decision not to do what I did. I would have ridden that crest and surfed right in to the end of the lesson, but no, not me, I decided to push it further. We live and learn.
Much excitement was building in school today and it was difficult to contain. That was just the staff. As part of "Global Gourmet' in Year 4, the children and staff have been trying some different foods from around the world, in one class in particular I don't think they resembled anything seen on this earth, but the children having been having great fun tasting and creating a variety of meals. As part of this topic, the children were going to see how the professional do it. Take note Mr. Sheehan!! A visit to a local restaurant which serves food from a huge variety of countries was on the agenda for today. So off to Peechy Keens for sampling and much delight. You can see what happened in the photos below. I even heard that one of my teachers nearly forgoed their lunch in preparation. I said nearly as they still managed their packet of crisps. You can all calm down now. A super afternoons adventure.
After completing the diary for next week, the anticipation of my afternoons meeting was building. Today I was meeting with the playground developers, how exciting. I have huge ideas and I think they will come to fruition, if it does, then the playground will look amazing and finally allow us to play home fixtures whilst giving our children and the local community some amazing sports facilities. I have even asked the company to quote for having the school logo in the centre circle!!!!! Maybe a little luxurious. With one playground in mind and hopefully being sorted, I started to think about the one at the front of the school. This playground allows the children who don't like sports to have the space to play imaginary games and to express themselves. I have a number of ideas for this area, including developing it with artificial mounds(slightly teletubbie like) or developing it using the company below in the video. This company use Playpods and junk materials to allow the children to enjoy, create and imagine. I love the idea but it isn't a quick fix, it really is a mindshift of how children play.(please have a look at the video) So all in all, really exciting times ahead but with lots of thought about budgets etc.
So that draws Thursday to a close. Once again thank you for reading the blog, I hope you gain something from it, I won’t be lengthening the post as someone suggested in a comment, it takes far too much time as it is. I am not a webmaster as also suggested (did make me chuckle) and finally I use weebly.com to host and provide this blog.
I know it does sound boring but once in a while do take the opportunity to look up. If you have a tablet device of any sort then you can download an app that will take you on a space walk. Just point it at the night sky and it will tell you what everything is. You might be surprised what you find and you never know you might even like it.
What is this life if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep, or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this, if full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
One of the greatest element to Twitter is that everyday images are being photographed and beamed back to Earth by Commander Hadfield, his twitter tag is cmdr_hadfield, he is currently up in space. If you use Twitter and don't follow him then you have missed out, he tweets live photos of the world as the ISS (International Space Station) continues to orbit the Earth. Even more slightly strange, is the fact that if you look to the skies at certain times you can see the ISS shooting across the sky, knowing that he is in it looking down on us and photographing us, feels a little unsettling. Just think about it for a while. Sometimes when you look up, you get more than you bargained for.
A much better day today, I left my chair, (hurrah) loads done, as well as very exciting meeting which a number of the children saw happening. The day started with a quick catch up with Mrs. P, after her jolly at the Eco conference yesterday. Told me some great things which I don't think we will copy. How about a £300,000 observatory on a school which cannot be used at night??????Common sense?
To use the old football cliche, Numeracy was a game of two halves. The first half saw me getting giddy with excitement and the second half, drowning is despair. So what happened? After a quick recap on the learning that had taken place yesterday to ensure that the information hadn't been sucked out overnight, (it hadn't and I was happy) I decided to move the magnificent 7 on to Improper fractions, it was all going so well, I was excited at the learning and at how quickly they grasped the concept. As long as I kept it visual and showed them how to complete it visually we were onto a winner. OH HAPPY DAYS. What transpired from that moment of euphoria was the biggest trough ever, forget triple dip recession. I didn't want to overload them so I thought we would quickly look at equivalent fractions and comparing them using < > and a fraction wall. OH DEAR, let me say clearly here and now, can I please have from 10:00 to 10:25 back. If anyone knows any random timelords I would like that short period in my life back so that I can make the decision not to do what I did. I would have ridden that crest and surfed right in to the end of the lesson, but no, not me, I decided to push it further. We live and learn.
Much excitement was building in school today and it was difficult to contain. That was just the staff. As part of "Global Gourmet' in Year 4, the children and staff have been trying some different foods from around the world, in one class in particular I don't think they resembled anything seen on this earth, but the children having been having great fun tasting and creating a variety of meals. As part of this topic, the children were going to see how the professional do it. Take note Mr. Sheehan!! A visit to a local restaurant which serves food from a huge variety of countries was on the agenda for today. So off to Peechy Keens for sampling and much delight. You can see what happened in the photos below. I even heard that one of my teachers nearly forgoed their lunch in preparation. I said nearly as they still managed their packet of crisps. You can all calm down now. A super afternoons adventure.
After completing the diary for next week, the anticipation of my afternoons meeting was building. Today I was meeting with the playground developers, how exciting. I have huge ideas and I think they will come to fruition, if it does, then the playground will look amazing and finally allow us to play home fixtures whilst giving our children and the local community some amazing sports facilities. I have even asked the company to quote for having the school logo in the centre circle!!!!! Maybe a little luxurious. With one playground in mind and hopefully being sorted, I started to think about the one at the front of the school. This playground allows the children who don't like sports to have the space to play imaginary games and to express themselves. I have a number of ideas for this area, including developing it with artificial mounds(slightly teletubbie like) or developing it using the company below in the video. This company use Playpods and junk materials to allow the children to enjoy, create and imagine. I love the idea but it isn't a quick fix, it really is a mindshift of how children play.(please have a look at the video) So all in all, really exciting times ahead but with lots of thought about budgets etc.
So that draws Thursday to a close. Once again thank you for reading the blog, I hope you gain something from it, I won’t be lengthening the post as someone suggested in a comment, it takes far too much time as it is. I am not a webmaster as also suggested (did make me chuckle) and finally I use weebly.com to host and provide this blog.
I know it does sound boring but once in a while do take the opportunity to look up. If you have a tablet device of any sort then you can download an app that will take you on a space walk. Just point it at the night sky and it will tell you what everything is. You might be surprised what you find and you never know you might even like it.
MOnotony sets in 24.4.13
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! As the HT of this school, I just want to say AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH today has been one of those exciting days, where I have not moved from my chair. I hate days like today. You know by now, it is the interaction with the children that keeps my job interesting and exciting, they are so unpredictable and that's what makes this job fun. But when you get a day like today you think twice about whether it is worthwhile.
Why so? It was a paperwork day of getting through a list of things and coming out the other side. I have never ever got through a list in the 4 1/2 years of being a HT, I raise my hat to any HT that accomplishes anything they start the day with in mind, because as soon as you open those doors to let the 370 souls of the school in, it all changes. Well in honour of my exciting day, I actually managed to get through my list of jobs, I for once have completed all my emails, phone calls, bits of paperwork etc. I wonder why? Is it because it was peaceful in school (Mrs. P was out on a jolly) or was it just sheer determination???? Who knows.
As I said, we have had a number of staff out today, two on a Dyspraxia course and then Mrs. P and Mr.C out at an Eco Conference in Nottingham, sounds like such fun, especially seeing as though Mrs. P text to say that she had taken some interesting ideas from the day. Those ideas usually come with a hefty price tag as well, I will await their arrival back in school tomorrow to see what exciting things they have found.
The magnificent 7 have frightened me today. I attempted the dreaded fractions (could do with atmospheric dun, dun,dahhhhhhh music) and they got what I wanted them to get. They faced all their fears head on, I think it helped going right back to basics and I mean all the way back. By the end of the session they were able to identify fractions of shapes, shaded and unshaded, understanding numerator, denominator, identify simple equivalent fractions and eventually comparing and contrasting fractions. All that in an hour, and especially after asking them what they knew at the beginning and all they could tell me was a 1/2 and a fourth (1/4 a quarter you mean) Will they remember it all tomorrow??????? Time will tell.
From 11:00 until the time I left at 5:30, I have not moved away from my desk or from in front of my laptop. I must get out more, because I have come home and continued doing what I found dulling earlier.
I did get myself a little excited though throughout the day, and it is to do with the image below taken from my office (an old photo) it is the fact that I have managed to tag all the individual curriculum maps into a picture, so if you hover over each iPad then you will see a link, which in turn takes you to the individual documents. Such a geek!!!!!
Not much else from me today apart from a promise to myself that tomorrow will be different, (It won't be quiet anyway) it cannot be the same as today. Last quick note, having a look at the counter at the top of the page it looks as though no one visits or reads this blog but I only put that on yesterday. The official stats from the beginning of the blog in January, I think it was the 7th of January stands at 5468 unique visitors to the blog. So, question? Captured or captive audience?
Have fun everyone
Why so? It was a paperwork day of getting through a list of things and coming out the other side. I have never ever got through a list in the 4 1/2 years of being a HT, I raise my hat to any HT that accomplishes anything they start the day with in mind, because as soon as you open those doors to let the 370 souls of the school in, it all changes. Well in honour of my exciting day, I actually managed to get through my list of jobs, I for once have completed all my emails, phone calls, bits of paperwork etc. I wonder why? Is it because it was peaceful in school (Mrs. P was out on a jolly) or was it just sheer determination???? Who knows.
As I said, we have had a number of staff out today, two on a Dyspraxia course and then Mrs. P and Mr.C out at an Eco Conference in Nottingham, sounds like such fun, especially seeing as though Mrs. P text to say that she had taken some interesting ideas from the day. Those ideas usually come with a hefty price tag as well, I will await their arrival back in school tomorrow to see what exciting things they have found.
The magnificent 7 have frightened me today. I attempted the dreaded fractions (could do with atmospheric dun, dun,dahhhhhhh music) and they got what I wanted them to get. They faced all their fears head on, I think it helped going right back to basics and I mean all the way back. By the end of the session they were able to identify fractions of shapes, shaded and unshaded, understanding numerator, denominator, identify simple equivalent fractions and eventually comparing and contrasting fractions. All that in an hour, and especially after asking them what they knew at the beginning and all they could tell me was a 1/2 and a fourth (1/4 a quarter you mean) Will they remember it all tomorrow??????? Time will tell.
From 11:00 until the time I left at 5:30, I have not moved away from my desk or from in front of my laptop. I must get out more, because I have come home and continued doing what I found dulling earlier.
I did get myself a little excited though throughout the day, and it is to do with the image below taken from my office (an old photo) it is the fact that I have managed to tag all the individual curriculum maps into a picture, so if you hover over each iPad then you will see a link, which in turn takes you to the individual documents. Such a geek!!!!!
Not much else from me today apart from a promise to myself that tomorrow will be different, (It won't be quiet anyway) it cannot be the same as today. Last quick note, having a look at the counter at the top of the page it looks as though no one visits or reads this blog but I only put that on yesterday. The official stats from the beginning of the blog in January, I think it was the 7th of January stands at 5468 unique visitors to the blog. So, question? Captured or captive audience?
Have fun everyone
Look what happens when you don't post and do you know the meaning of off putting? 23.4.13
The title says it all really. Yesterday was a manic day for me, I eventually sat down to eat for 'tea' at 9:45 and therefore had no desire or inclination to sit down and blog. It only had to be one of the busiest days in the school year!!!! Soooooooo lots to catch up with.
Monday....what can we say about Monday? Well, it was intense. Firstly, we had the whole of Year 5 out visiting Drayton Manor as part of their Scream Machine topic. I love this link because really they spent the day looking at the physics behind the construction of rollercoasters and at no point did they go on any of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I fib! Of course they did. To be able to understand how a roller coaster works, you have to have a go, surely that is like any experience in life. All 90 children set off in the sunshine accompanied by a whole hoard of adults to ensure that the ratio of pupils to adults was kept as low as possible. To do this we had to press gang as many parents as possible to help and support the school. This is an opportunity therefore to say a huge thanks to everyone that attended as well as the staff for ensuring the day went as smooth as possible with their meticulously planned risk assessment. It was great to see the long train of yellow cladded staff to make them easily identifiable. The children had a fabulous time, many coming back soaked through but full of enthusiasm and chatter. Well done all!
So what did my day consist of to finish so late last night? Well it started with the magnificent 7 and a numeracy session focussing on co-ordinates. We made sure that we could read, plot and predict and we did it brilliantly. They were so confident in their approach to what they were doing and now we can tick it off our list of things to do before SATs are here.
The rest of the day was spent sharing the learning experience with a variety of classes so that I could see what the children were doing and also to assess the standard of Teaching at Lyndon Green. I was joined for the sessions today by Mrs. P and between us we visited 4 classes at least 3 or 4 times. This gave us a real flavour of what the children were experiencing and a consistent view of the standard of teaching. We are able to spend time in Year 4, Year 3, 10M and Forest School. We had another super day and saw some brilliant things. It really was like a whirlwind watching Phonics, R.E., Forest School and Art just to name a few of the experiences.
The children were experiencing a huge variation in teaching techniques and when I sit back and reflect about what I witnessed, I always ask the question of whether I would want my own children to spend time in those lessons, and I would say, YES. I thought about how many other children in the country at that time would be outside lighting fires and cooking their own bread? How many would be looking at the work of Andy Goldsworthy(video below) and recreating land art to such a fine level? I probably could say not many. So thanks again for the opportunity to share in the learning experiences. I have been around every class now and have had the opportunity to observe every teacher and I have had a brilliant time. We always have things to work on in school and it isn't seen as meddling, it is about improving the life experiences of the children of Sheldon in Birmingham, and whilst as long as this is our core purpose then we will continue to reflect and improve to give these children the best that we can.
That took me right up until the end of the day. After giving feedback to the staf in solved in the observations it was onto a 4:45 meeting at Stanville Primary School. This meeting was called to look at the future of schools in our local area. The political atmosphere surrounding schools at the moment is creating unnecessary stress and worry. Any impending OFSTED can capture you into a world of Academisation or even forced Academisation. I'm not stupid enough to think that schools don't exist that are in need of help and support, however, at this current time we are not one of them. We know what we need to do and we know how to get there. We therefore have a choice to make with the ever impending deadline getting closer and closer. I am therefore waying up every possibility to ensure that we get the best for our children. I really enjoy working in partnership and especially collaborating with the local HT's. It is our support network, well it is mine really. So to bring together a group of schools, that you know, respect and feel will enhance your own school, seems to be the perfect fit. If it helps to create a greater community and ensure our children encounter the best learning that they can then it gets my vote.
Back to school for a 6:30 Finance meeting. This gives us the opportunity to go through the budget with the Finance Committee. It allows us to review the budget from the previous year as well as setting the new budget for this academic year. Lots of numbers, possibilities and certainties ahead.
Upstairs into the staffroom for a 7:30 whole Governing Body meeting. It was great to see so many governors all working for the common cause. The children of LGJS. Fabulous atmosphere, challenging to me but supportive as well. Governors are there to challenge but not in a detrimental way, they are there to seek out the information to ensure that standards are high and that the school is meeting its statutory responsibilities. I have to give a report from one GB meeting to the next, in this report I outline everything that has taken place, from staffing to assessments to premises to pupil numbers etc. etc. Last nights meeting left me feeling incredibly well supported, and vice versa I have confidence in everyone that attended. There will be no Julius Caesar moments, not on my watch!!! I finally managed to leave school at 9:10 and then the long journey home via a so called fast food restaurant!!! I say so called, because at that time of night it isn't very fast at all. So all in all a very long day, but rewarding.
So what about today? Well it has happened!!!!! Year 3 have been out visiting Sutton Park as part of their 'Wild Wood' topic. Year 4 have been sampling food from around the world as part of their 'Global Gourmet' topic. 10M have been visited by a dragon as part of their 'Princesses and dragons,' More outdoor cooking, more grammar work, more roller coaster building.......and on and on and on.
I'm done in! Just quickly, if you notice the counter at the top of the page has changed, I have done that for a purpose. I was trying to track where all our visitors were coming from. I had told you I was big in Poland, it is true because on the contact form I had been getting 50 - 60 messages a day, tracking the IP address always took you to Poland, but the flag counter was not registering it. I t also wasn't registering the number of individual hits to the page as well. I have taken it off because it was confusing the life out of me. I feel as though this little blog has become a project in another country or I am being seriously spammed. If one of the readers would like to try and explain could you let me know?
In the words of Julie Andrews.....
There's a sad sort of clanging
From the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple, too
And up in the nursery
An absurd little bird
Is popping out to say coo-coo
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, adieu
Adieu, adieu
To you and you and you
Last but not least, the geek inside me has risen again please try the interactive image below to access all the other blogs in school. I love technology....
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/383196920920670209#tlsite
Monday....what can we say about Monday? Well, it was intense. Firstly, we had the whole of Year 5 out visiting Drayton Manor as part of their Scream Machine topic. I love this link because really they spent the day looking at the physics behind the construction of rollercoasters and at no point did they go on any of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I fib! Of course they did. To be able to understand how a roller coaster works, you have to have a go, surely that is like any experience in life. All 90 children set off in the sunshine accompanied by a whole hoard of adults to ensure that the ratio of pupils to adults was kept as low as possible. To do this we had to press gang as many parents as possible to help and support the school. This is an opportunity therefore to say a huge thanks to everyone that attended as well as the staff for ensuring the day went as smooth as possible with their meticulously planned risk assessment. It was great to see the long train of yellow cladded staff to make them easily identifiable. The children had a fabulous time, many coming back soaked through but full of enthusiasm and chatter. Well done all!
So what did my day consist of to finish so late last night? Well it started with the magnificent 7 and a numeracy session focussing on co-ordinates. We made sure that we could read, plot and predict and we did it brilliantly. They were so confident in their approach to what they were doing and now we can tick it off our list of things to do before SATs are here.
The rest of the day was spent sharing the learning experience with a variety of classes so that I could see what the children were doing and also to assess the standard of Teaching at Lyndon Green. I was joined for the sessions today by Mrs. P and between us we visited 4 classes at least 3 or 4 times. This gave us a real flavour of what the children were experiencing and a consistent view of the standard of teaching. We are able to spend time in Year 4, Year 3, 10M and Forest School. We had another super day and saw some brilliant things. It really was like a whirlwind watching Phonics, R.E., Forest School and Art just to name a few of the experiences.
The children were experiencing a huge variation in teaching techniques and when I sit back and reflect about what I witnessed, I always ask the question of whether I would want my own children to spend time in those lessons, and I would say, YES. I thought about how many other children in the country at that time would be outside lighting fires and cooking their own bread? How many would be looking at the work of Andy Goldsworthy(video below) and recreating land art to such a fine level? I probably could say not many. So thanks again for the opportunity to share in the learning experiences. I have been around every class now and have had the opportunity to observe every teacher and I have had a brilliant time. We always have things to work on in school and it isn't seen as meddling, it is about improving the life experiences of the children of Sheldon in Birmingham, and whilst as long as this is our core purpose then we will continue to reflect and improve to give these children the best that we can.
That took me right up until the end of the day. After giving feedback to the staf in solved in the observations it was onto a 4:45 meeting at Stanville Primary School. This meeting was called to look at the future of schools in our local area. The political atmosphere surrounding schools at the moment is creating unnecessary stress and worry. Any impending OFSTED can capture you into a world of Academisation or even forced Academisation. I'm not stupid enough to think that schools don't exist that are in need of help and support, however, at this current time we are not one of them. We know what we need to do and we know how to get there. We therefore have a choice to make with the ever impending deadline getting closer and closer. I am therefore waying up every possibility to ensure that we get the best for our children. I really enjoy working in partnership and especially collaborating with the local HT's. It is our support network, well it is mine really. So to bring together a group of schools, that you know, respect and feel will enhance your own school, seems to be the perfect fit. If it helps to create a greater community and ensure our children encounter the best learning that they can then it gets my vote.
Back to school for a 6:30 Finance meeting. This gives us the opportunity to go through the budget with the Finance Committee. It allows us to review the budget from the previous year as well as setting the new budget for this academic year. Lots of numbers, possibilities and certainties ahead.
Upstairs into the staffroom for a 7:30 whole Governing Body meeting. It was great to see so many governors all working for the common cause. The children of LGJS. Fabulous atmosphere, challenging to me but supportive as well. Governors are there to challenge but not in a detrimental way, they are there to seek out the information to ensure that standards are high and that the school is meeting its statutory responsibilities. I have to give a report from one GB meeting to the next, in this report I outline everything that has taken place, from staffing to assessments to premises to pupil numbers etc. etc. Last nights meeting left me feeling incredibly well supported, and vice versa I have confidence in everyone that attended. There will be no Julius Caesar moments, not on my watch!!! I finally managed to leave school at 9:10 and then the long journey home via a so called fast food restaurant!!! I say so called, because at that time of night it isn't very fast at all. So all in all a very long day, but rewarding.
So what about today? Well it has happened!!!!! Year 3 have been out visiting Sutton Park as part of their 'Wild Wood' topic. Year 4 have been sampling food from around the world as part of their 'Global Gourmet' topic. 10M have been visited by a dragon as part of their 'Princesses and dragons,' More outdoor cooking, more grammar work, more roller coaster building.......and on and on and on.
I'm done in! Just quickly, if you notice the counter at the top of the page has changed, I have done that for a purpose. I was trying to track where all our visitors were coming from. I had told you I was big in Poland, it is true because on the contact form I had been getting 50 - 60 messages a day, tracking the IP address always took you to Poland, but the flag counter was not registering it. I t also wasn't registering the number of individual hits to the page as well. I have taken it off because it was confusing the life out of me. I feel as though this little blog has become a project in another country or I am being seriously spammed. If one of the readers would like to try and explain could you let me know?
In the words of Julie Andrews.....
There's a sad sort of clanging
From the clock in the hall
And the bells in the steeple, too
And up in the nursery
An absurd little bird
Is popping out to say coo-coo
So long, farewell
Auf Wiedersehen, adieu
Adieu, adieu
To you and you and you
Last but not least, the geek inside me has risen again please try the interactive image below to access all the other blogs in school. I love technology....
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/383196920920670209#tlsite
If I could talk to the animals. 19.4.13
And another day draws to a close. When we sit back and reflect upon the learning that has taken place today I often ask myself what else could we do? Or, what would I do differently? Those are the questions that I ask regularly. I remember a colleague that always, and I mean always used to say 'If it ain't broke, why fix it?' As humans we have the urge to continually meddle with things and to alter them. I don't think this is a bad thing at all, many would counteract this argument by saying that people would never get the chance to perfect the original concept. However, it should not always be the concept that is altered but I suppose the nitty gritty. An example of this would be the television, would we still be wanting to watch television through the original concept? I wouldn't! The original concept of the iPad has been altered that many times but the concept still stays the same. In school, the concept of schooling remains the same but the way we do things has to be reflected upon continuously otherwise, would we become stale? Thank goodness we have a saviour in our midst, step forward Mr. Gove, thank you for making sure we continually reflect on our teaching strategies and for keeping us on our toes. God bless you!
Anyway, I have had a day to remember, I spent time with all the children this morning in assembly, belting out some well known songs and being able to commend a few of our pupils for their talents outside of school. We have a number of pupils who excel and today it was great to be able to tell the whole school how Luke (Y3) will be presented with his first academy contract from Birmingham City at halftime in tomorrows match as well as being able to share how Matthew (Y5) will be offered yet another contract from the same academy next year. Such talents, and as long as they have fun and enjoy what they do then long may it continue.
The joy of the magnificent 7 again today, revisiting perimeter. In the words of Professor Higgins, 'by jove, I thinks she's got it!' Actually I think they all have got it. Confidence Mr. R. I was delighted with how they responded after the last time we were together when the board came in for a lot of frustration. They can now work out simple perimeter, perimeter of compound shapes and perimeters where numbers are missing and they have to work out what the missing numbers are. Only area, time, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion..................to go. You get the message.
Next it was time to don the sweatbands and head to Year 6. It was their turn today and I enjoyed every second of it. I have said before, it gives me the opportunity to spend time with the children and to share in their learning experiences. Such variety today, variety of approaches and responses from children, well done to you all. What would I have done differently? Nothing! Monday, it will be the turn of Class 10M, Forest School and a number of other classes throughout the school. I look forward to it!
So no more, no more Polish for the cheeky Mrs. Pitt, just lots of work and more work ahead, but would we have it any different? Nope.
A very quick note - If the residential home have let you read this blog, then rest assured I'm still alive, just keep missing your carrier pigeons.
A busy weekend in store this weekend, taking the children swimming and then Season 2 and 3 of Game of Thrones plus hunting down the box set of Twin Peaks. Best way to relax. I believe that the big orange ball may appear in the sky at some point over the weekend, so enjoy it while it appears.
Please could you also give Class 4D a visit on their very own blog by visiting the following link
http://lgjs4d.blogspot.co.uk
Anyway, I have had a day to remember, I spent time with all the children this morning in assembly, belting out some well known songs and being able to commend a few of our pupils for their talents outside of school. We have a number of pupils who excel and today it was great to be able to tell the whole school how Luke (Y3) will be presented with his first academy contract from Birmingham City at halftime in tomorrows match as well as being able to share how Matthew (Y5) will be offered yet another contract from the same academy next year. Such talents, and as long as they have fun and enjoy what they do then long may it continue.
The joy of the magnificent 7 again today, revisiting perimeter. In the words of Professor Higgins, 'by jove, I thinks she's got it!' Actually I think they all have got it. Confidence Mr. R. I was delighted with how they responded after the last time we were together when the board came in for a lot of frustration. They can now work out simple perimeter, perimeter of compound shapes and perimeters where numbers are missing and they have to work out what the missing numbers are. Only area, time, fractions, decimals and percentages, ratio and proportion..................to go. You get the message.
Next it was time to don the sweatbands and head to Year 6. It was their turn today and I enjoyed every second of it. I have said before, it gives me the opportunity to spend time with the children and to share in their learning experiences. Such variety today, variety of approaches and responses from children, well done to you all. What would I have done differently? Nothing! Monday, it will be the turn of Class 10M, Forest School and a number of other classes throughout the school. I look forward to it!
So no more, no more Polish for the cheeky Mrs. Pitt, just lots of work and more work ahead, but would we have it any different? Nope.
A very quick note - If the residential home have let you read this blog, then rest assured I'm still alive, just keep missing your carrier pigeons.
A busy weekend in store this weekend, taking the children swimming and then Season 2 and 3 of Game of Thrones plus hunting down the box set of Twin Peaks. Best way to relax. I believe that the big orange ball may appear in the sky at some point over the weekend, so enjoy it while it appears.
Please could you also give Class 4D a visit on their very own blog by visiting the following link
http://lgjs4d.blogspot.co.uk
Oscillate wildly 18.4.13
Another short post this evening, sorry just so many other things to do at the moment. A couple of things to address in this blog.
So why the title? It is amazing how small our world is and how links can be made really quickly, it is the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon (left) that show everything can be linked back to Kevin Bacon!! Well today was one of those days. I have spent a wondrous day in Year 5 today and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. The learning that took place was super, the children thoroughly enjoyed what they were doing and really didn’t want to stop for breaks etc. The term oscillating was mentioned so many times today in Year 5 to reinforce their learning after their visit to the local park to investigate play equipment. It also relates to a conversation I had with a member of staff about a book that has appeared in the staffroom called ‘Northerners.’ In that book was a picture of Morrissey, a well known singer of the group The Smiths, and it so happens that one of their tracks was called ‘Oscillate Wildly.’ (If you are interested I have attached a link below)
Such a small world, but a really enjoyable day today, Thank you Year 5, I look forward to my day in Year 6 tomorrow.
Soooooo what developments then Mr. R.? Well after having a quick conversation with our Business Manager, we have put the green light on the playground developments. We have to have 3 quotes before we can decide on which contractor we use, but we have already undergone those processes early on and now we need to invite each company back in to finalise their quotes before I take it to Governors to ensure that we have value for money. For those of you that don't know we will be transforming one playground into an Astro Turfed football pitch so that at last we can finally play a home fixture. I think the floodlights and seating might have to be abandoned!!!!!!
Finally can you kid a kidder. Please place the following into google translate
Szanowna Pani P. myśląc, że można pomylić pan R. z nieprawdziwy komentarz polskiego nie jest dobrze przemyślane widząc, jak gdyby ta strona śledzi adres IP everyones. Silly pani P. nie można oszukujmy się Kidder. Niezła próba, ale trzeba będzie wstawać wcześniej, aby dostać jeden na pana R.
Goodnight all, apologies this is so late.
- Why the title?
- Future developments for LGJS
- Is it possible to kid a kidder?
So why the title? It is amazing how small our world is and how links can be made really quickly, it is the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon (left) that show everything can be linked back to Kevin Bacon!! Well today was one of those days. I have spent a wondrous day in Year 5 today and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. The learning that took place was super, the children thoroughly enjoyed what they were doing and really didn’t want to stop for breaks etc. The term oscillating was mentioned so many times today in Year 5 to reinforce their learning after their visit to the local park to investigate play equipment. It also relates to a conversation I had with a member of staff about a book that has appeared in the staffroom called ‘Northerners.’ In that book was a picture of Morrissey, a well known singer of the group The Smiths, and it so happens that one of their tracks was called ‘Oscillate Wildly.’ (If you are interested I have attached a link below)
Such a small world, but a really enjoyable day today, Thank you Year 5, I look forward to my day in Year 6 tomorrow.
Soooooo what developments then Mr. R.? Well after having a quick conversation with our Business Manager, we have put the green light on the playground developments. We have to have 3 quotes before we can decide on which contractor we use, but we have already undergone those processes early on and now we need to invite each company back in to finalise their quotes before I take it to Governors to ensure that we have value for money. For those of you that don't know we will be transforming one playground into an Astro Turfed football pitch so that at last we can finally play a home fixture. I think the floodlights and seating might have to be abandoned!!!!!!
Finally can you kid a kidder. Please place the following into google translate
Szanowna Pani P. myśląc, że można pomylić pan R. z nieprawdziwy komentarz polskiego nie jest dobrze przemyślane widząc, jak gdyby ta strona śledzi adres IP everyones. Silly pani P. nie można oszukujmy się Kidder. Niezła próba, ale trzeba będzie wstawać wcześniej, aby dostać jeden na pana R.
Goodnight all, apologies this is so late.
when there isn't anything to say, why say something 17.4.13
Welcome to a really short blog this evening as I don't have that much time to complete a lengthy version, got to try and ensure that I have some non school time, but this evening I have so much else to do, writing my HT report for the forth coming Governors meeting, writing up observational reports, but most of all dedicating some time to my one obsession (some may say I have many more) no, it isn't perfecting my geekdom or anything to do with ICT, tonight I will dedicate a short time to my beloved Manchester City. They have been an obsession of mine since the day I first stepped foot in their old stadium Maine Road. I don't care about any other side but City, and in my eyes will always be the best. I've been through the very dark days with them and I am now enjoying the good days.
Anyhow, another good day in school, I spent the majority of the day in Year 4 observing and sharing in the learning experience and I have to say, I enjoyed myself today, it was good fun, so well done all! You were a delight to be amongst and we really do have some characters who just thrive in the limelight, you made me smile so a big thank you today. Tomorrow I will be moving into Year 5 and I can't wait to see what they have in store for me.
Before I ventured into Year 4 today I was lucky (!!!!) to share my office with the magnificent 7,(7 children from Year 6) lucky I say???? I was lucky to come out alive. What does a two week break do to children? Everything! (you at the back shouting have less holidays then, please be quiet or leave this blog right now) The removal of information by suction must have taken place!!!!! I didn't think looking at perimeter would be too taxing but by jingo, it were reet difficult. (as the northern contingent would say) Anyhow I have to reflect and move on as we have so little time but so much to do, they will get it and I know it, such as shame though for my whiteboard, it took some pounding today.
That is all to report this evening, I promise I will spend a little more time tomorrow but at some point I need to switch school off have some down time. I wonder where all our Polish readers have gone? Maybe I'm not big in Poland after all and I have just opened a huge big can of SPAM.
Anyhow, another good day in school, I spent the majority of the day in Year 4 observing and sharing in the learning experience and I have to say, I enjoyed myself today, it was good fun, so well done all! You were a delight to be amongst and we really do have some characters who just thrive in the limelight, you made me smile so a big thank you today. Tomorrow I will be moving into Year 5 and I can't wait to see what they have in store for me.
Before I ventured into Year 4 today I was lucky (!!!!) to share my office with the magnificent 7,(7 children from Year 6) lucky I say???? I was lucky to come out alive. What does a two week break do to children? Everything! (you at the back shouting have less holidays then, please be quiet or leave this blog right now) The removal of information by suction must have taken place!!!!! I didn't think looking at perimeter would be too taxing but by jingo, it were reet difficult. (as the northern contingent would say) Anyhow I have to reflect and move on as we have so little time but so much to do, they will get it and I know it, such as shame though for my whiteboard, it took some pounding today.
That is all to report this evening, I promise I will spend a little more time tomorrow but at some point I need to switch school off have some down time. I wonder where all our Polish readers have gone? Maybe I'm not big in Poland after all and I have just opened a huge big can of SPAM.
are you lost? have patience, you will be found 16.4.13
Welcome back one and all. A really exciting day today as it was the first day back after the Easter holidays for the children. It was great to be able to open the doors and let the eager crowd back into school. I can't believe we cleared the playground so quickly. I think it must have been a record! Anyway it was once again brilliant to see you all. It doesn’t take long to get into the full swing of things and the hallways were soon full of children being busy here and there. I want to take this time to mention my moment of the day.... Remember Terri and her chicken pox that were false? Well today she informs me that she wants to go on Britain’s Got Talent, but she’s not quite sure of what her talent is, but after a couple of seconds she has decided that she will sing, but extra specially a song that she has written.. Go Terri!!!
Like I have said the hallways were busy with monitors carrying out their morning duties, with the sound of laughter, music and chatter, telling each other what they had done during the holiday. That is when we can stand back, breathe in and say a thank you for being able to work with such brilliant little individuals.
Yesterday, I told you that over the next few days, along with Mrs P. I will be spending time in every class throughout the school, observing and sharing in the learning experiences that are taking place. Well today it was the turn of Year 3. Thank you Year 3 for allowing us both into your classes and for making us feel really welcome. Your knowledge and your enthusiasm was a joy, you were all very eager to share your learning and made us both smile. During our time in class, we were very lucky to be able to see some excellent work and that makes me very happy. It is the turn of Year 4 tomorrow, I really look forward to seeing how they have progressed from the last time that I visited. I’m sure they will, won’t they?????????
The rest of the school were back underway with their new topics or finishing the last weeks of the previous topic due to the last half term being so short. The new topics look fabulous, especially Scream Machine. This topic is taking place in Year 5 and it looks brilliant. The arrival of 15 boxes of K’nex construction roller coaster sets really looks interesting. I wonder what the syringes will be for? Or the 100m of polystyrene insulating pipe? I am sure we will see evidence through our Twitter pictures.
‘You only have 5 weeks. You need to give me more!!!’ was a familiar phrase throughout our Year 6 today. It refers to the fact that the SATs are looming ever closer and all the teachers are trying to ensure that the children really do peak at the right time. I have expressed my feelings about SATs and how I detest them. Our stance at LGJS is that we won’t cram and that it isn’t a test culture, but we will make sure our children remember their Year 6 for the right reasons, not just repeating old SATs papers. We will however ensure that our children are ready and that they peak for that special 45 minutes out of 4 years.
That’s all for this evening folks, keep smiling remember everyday is a new day. As teachers we should cherish the special moments that we come across (like Terri) and like I have said previously, enjoy every second of being able to work in such an environment where we are giving something special to our children. The spirit of youth is not with us for long, we must nurture and create beings that can go our into the world and allow them to flutter and express themselves however they choose.
It is on that note that I want to say that on behalf of the children, staff and community of Lyndon Green, along with, I am sure the rest of the world, we send our love, thoughts and prayers to the people of Boston and hope that we all unite together to prevent any further incidents occurring ever again.
Like I have said the hallways were busy with monitors carrying out their morning duties, with the sound of laughter, music and chatter, telling each other what they had done during the holiday. That is when we can stand back, breathe in and say a thank you for being able to work with such brilliant little individuals.
Yesterday, I told you that over the next few days, along with Mrs P. I will be spending time in every class throughout the school, observing and sharing in the learning experiences that are taking place. Well today it was the turn of Year 3. Thank you Year 3 for allowing us both into your classes and for making us feel really welcome. Your knowledge and your enthusiasm was a joy, you were all very eager to share your learning and made us both smile. During our time in class, we were very lucky to be able to see some excellent work and that makes me very happy. It is the turn of Year 4 tomorrow, I really look forward to seeing how they have progressed from the last time that I visited. I’m sure they will, won’t they?????????
The rest of the school were back underway with their new topics or finishing the last weeks of the previous topic due to the last half term being so short. The new topics look fabulous, especially Scream Machine. This topic is taking place in Year 5 and it looks brilliant. The arrival of 15 boxes of K’nex construction roller coaster sets really looks interesting. I wonder what the syringes will be for? Or the 100m of polystyrene insulating pipe? I am sure we will see evidence through our Twitter pictures.
‘You only have 5 weeks. You need to give me more!!!’ was a familiar phrase throughout our Year 6 today. It refers to the fact that the SATs are looming ever closer and all the teachers are trying to ensure that the children really do peak at the right time. I have expressed my feelings about SATs and how I detest them. Our stance at LGJS is that we won’t cram and that it isn’t a test culture, but we will make sure our children remember their Year 6 for the right reasons, not just repeating old SATs papers. We will however ensure that our children are ready and that they peak for that special 45 minutes out of 4 years.
That’s all for this evening folks, keep smiling remember everyday is a new day. As teachers we should cherish the special moments that we come across (like Terri) and like I have said previously, enjoy every second of being able to work in such an environment where we are giving something special to our children. The spirit of youth is not with us for long, we must nurture and create beings that can go our into the world and allow them to flutter and express themselves however they choose.
It is on that note that I want to say that on behalf of the children, staff and community of Lyndon Green, along with, I am sure the rest of the world, we send our love, thoughts and prayers to the people of Boston and hope that we all unite together to prevent any further incidents occurring ever again.
all quiet on the western front or Big in poland 15.4.13
Hurrah, I can finally release my fingers and begin to fulfill my blogging addiction. Have you missed us? Actually don't answer that, I fear the response. Yup, we are back and wow wasn't it a long break? It felt like forever. It does however give us all the chance to recharge our batteries ready for the final onslaught towards the Summer holidays. Why is it though that the sleep before returning to school is always the most unsettled? The answer for me is easy, it is the one where I start going through things in my head. It is the one where I start planning what to do for the coming days, weeks and months. It has been said on numerous occasions that I have woken up teaching in the middle of the night, organising the children into groups and even to the point whereby I have gotten up to move furniture thinking I was in the classroom. Actually reading that, it is a wonder I haven't frightened the living daylights out of my children.
Rambling again Mr R.!!!
Today we returned, nice and refreshed to a nice clean school with the emphasis on the day to meet together as a staff without the children to go over something that has been troubling us for a while and then to prepare for the arrival of the children tomorrow. It was good to see all the staff back into school today, all with tales to tell of holidays, days out or generally relaxing. Today was classed as a teacher day in school, a day where the staff get the opportunity to do staff development without the children being there. I have many friends (don't laugh) that do not work in schools and they always mock the fact that schools have two weeks off and then tag another day on for staff development. I can't agree more, however we have 5 directed Teacher Training days whereby we can work as a whole staff without the added costs and disruption of having to cover classes at the cost of approx. £185 per teacher per day. Plus the added disruption of not having a familiar face in front of the children, or of a guest teacher that does not understand the workings of our school. It really is beneficial but I do understand each side of the argument.
So what did we get up to today? What was troubling us? The answer is easy. Reading. Specifically the teaching of reading and how to ensure the children understand the different types of questions when trying to comprehend what they are reading. I have embedded an overview for you to have a look at to try and explain and show you what we have been talking about. It is also about the consistency of approach to the way we do things across the school and today was about that as well as introducing reciprocal teaching. Reciprocal teaching is very powerful, it takes a lot of training, but when done correctly it is truly magical. To see children in complete control of their learning; directing, prompting and questioning is well.....simply amazing. I will add a You Tube clip that demonstrates this style of learning. I am not asking my teachers to take this onboard immediately but it really is a super way for children to individually support themselves when reading or carrying out any task.
Can I just say at this point, we seem to be big in Poland!!!! Not sure why or how people stumble across this blog or whether it is genuine or not, but according to the statistics attached to this blog and the masses of comments that I seem to be receiving and tracking the IP addresses, our little community in Sheldon has attracted quite a following from Tarnowskie Gory and beyond. Like I have always said, I write this blog to showcase the work that we do at Lyndon Green from a HT perspective and therefore if it is becoming global then welcome and thank you for your comments. I appreciate the grading of a B- for my effort and as one eloquent responder put it, my dots don't always join up. Well sadly if you knew me, then of course they don't, but I will work on my dot to dot technique. I do hope you all continue to comment, I would hate to lose such a big following as well as ensuring I don't neglect my regulars.
So the term starts again, new topics ahead. The children are going to have a brilliant half term, such exciting topics. I really wish I was a child again and in one of our classes. Fun times ahead.
I will be spending the next couple of days in all the classes throughout the school. I am going to be looking at the standard of the Teaching throughout our school, to ensure that it is the best that it can be. I’m really excited to be able to spend so much time with the children and the staff and to have the opportunity to share in the learning experience. Good times ahead!! Tomorrow also brings the return of the Magnificent 7, I cannot wait, so much to do, so little time to do it in. They will need braces on their socks as I am going to work them so hard over the next 5 - 6 weeks, they really won’t know what has hit them. Can they handle it? Course they can.
That is it for this evening, first day back, no pictures from inside school, but I am sure when we crank up our Twitter machine tomorrow, then we shall see a return to the old ways. Remember if you read this and would like to see instant school updates then our Twitter address is Lyndongreen1, you will have to request access to our tweets but I do check the site regularly.
Have fun, because tomorrow brings the return of 370 special individuals
Rambling again Mr R.!!!
Today we returned, nice and refreshed to a nice clean school with the emphasis on the day to meet together as a staff without the children to go over something that has been troubling us for a while and then to prepare for the arrival of the children tomorrow. It was good to see all the staff back into school today, all with tales to tell of holidays, days out or generally relaxing. Today was classed as a teacher day in school, a day where the staff get the opportunity to do staff development without the children being there. I have many friends (don't laugh) that do not work in schools and they always mock the fact that schools have two weeks off and then tag another day on for staff development. I can't agree more, however we have 5 directed Teacher Training days whereby we can work as a whole staff without the added costs and disruption of having to cover classes at the cost of approx. £185 per teacher per day. Plus the added disruption of not having a familiar face in front of the children, or of a guest teacher that does not understand the workings of our school. It really is beneficial but I do understand each side of the argument.
So what did we get up to today? What was troubling us? The answer is easy. Reading. Specifically the teaching of reading and how to ensure the children understand the different types of questions when trying to comprehend what they are reading. I have embedded an overview for you to have a look at to try and explain and show you what we have been talking about. It is also about the consistency of approach to the way we do things across the school and today was about that as well as introducing reciprocal teaching. Reciprocal teaching is very powerful, it takes a lot of training, but when done correctly it is truly magical. To see children in complete control of their learning; directing, prompting and questioning is well.....simply amazing. I will add a You Tube clip that demonstrates this style of learning. I am not asking my teachers to take this onboard immediately but it really is a super way for children to individually support themselves when reading or carrying out any task.
Can I just say at this point, we seem to be big in Poland!!!! Not sure why or how people stumble across this blog or whether it is genuine or not, but according to the statistics attached to this blog and the masses of comments that I seem to be receiving and tracking the IP addresses, our little community in Sheldon has attracted quite a following from Tarnowskie Gory and beyond. Like I have always said, I write this blog to showcase the work that we do at Lyndon Green from a HT perspective and therefore if it is becoming global then welcome and thank you for your comments. I appreciate the grading of a B- for my effort and as one eloquent responder put it, my dots don't always join up. Well sadly if you knew me, then of course they don't, but I will work on my dot to dot technique. I do hope you all continue to comment, I would hate to lose such a big following as well as ensuring I don't neglect my regulars.
So the term starts again, new topics ahead. The children are going to have a brilliant half term, such exciting topics. I really wish I was a child again and in one of our classes. Fun times ahead.
I will be spending the next couple of days in all the classes throughout the school. I am going to be looking at the standard of the Teaching throughout our school, to ensure that it is the best that it can be. I’m really excited to be able to spend so much time with the children and the staff and to have the opportunity to share in the learning experience. Good times ahead!! Tomorrow also brings the return of the Magnificent 7, I cannot wait, so much to do, so little time to do it in. They will need braces on their socks as I am going to work them so hard over the next 5 - 6 weeks, they really won’t know what has hit them. Can they handle it? Course they can.
That is it for this evening, first day back, no pictures from inside school, but I am sure when we crank up our Twitter machine tomorrow, then we shall see a return to the old ways. Remember if you read this and would like to see instant school updates then our Twitter address is Lyndongreen1, you will have to request access to our tweets but I do check the site regularly.
Have fun, because tomorrow brings the return of 370 special individuals