2nd December 2012

.....and still so much to do. Yesterday was the Christmas Fayre at school so had to send a few hours back at work. The little ones were so sweet waiting in line to see Santa who had taken time out of his busy schedule to visit for a couple of hours.
Today I'm trying to come up with some ideas for homemade presents. I'll let you know how I get on.

In the crowd

During the afternoons this week the sound of children singing has been coming from the various classrooms along the corridors and as I sit working my office. From the facilities office and workshop accross the way there has been banging and drilling as Kev makes mangers and other props. I love this time of year.

Next week they will start to take turns in the hall to practice their words and songs ready for the few days that parents, grandparents and friends come in to watch their little one perform in the Christmas plays.
We are a big primary school so there are always several plays, all slightly different but all telling the same story about how Jesus was born in a stable.

It's seems such a long time ago that my own children were in their school nativity. I remember my joy when my eldest son was chosen to be Joseph when he was four. I sat in the front row with my mum beaming with pride that day. Sadly she died only a couple of years later and that was the last one she was able to attend.

A few years later he was a shepherd and as he sat on the row at the front he keep lifting his tunic and showing his shorts below to the audience. He couldn't get over the fact his outfit was a 'dress'. I thought the teachers would let him wear trousers underneath but no it had to be shorts.

I've spent time making the costumes cursing the teachers who wanted sheep or kings outfits to be sent in when I was busy working full time. Now I see you can go to the supermarket and purchase them ! I am not sure what's best, those hurriedly made by parents and grandparents or those from Asda or Sainsbury's.

There are always children who struggle with school work or who are very shy, who suddenly on the day of the Christmas play come to the front and shine. I never cease to be amazed that the tiny 4 & 5 year olds that have only been at school a couple of months will stand up and say something in front of a few hundred people or sing and act.

All the children know that if they have a problem they can come to me and this week Ruby turned up at the door sobbing. When I eventually got her to speak her only words were 'In the crowd'. On speaking to her teacher I discovered that this year Ruby is to be one of several children who are in the crowd scene. Yes she does have a small speaking part but Ruby is struggling to understand why last year she was a main character and this year she isn't.
I think we got the message through to her that it's someone else's turn this year and everyone in the play is important when telling a story.On the day her smiling face and loud singing will still steal the hearts of  the audience as always wherever in the crowd she is.

We have children of all religions at my school but Christmas really is magical for all of them and of course the adults.

If you are going to see a Christmas Nativity play at a children's school just remember there has been weeks of rehearsals, teachers and teaching assistants painting scenery, caretakers making props, parents putting together costumes and helping to learn lines and lots of little darlings having their first taste of acting.

She kept it very quiet from me but the counsellor who comes into my school every week and helps countless children and parents has written a book . I can recommend Whispers in my Ear by Jill Knowles if you have children and need a little help and advice and l you can learn about an inspirational lady. I don't think she would agree with me calling her that but whether she likes it or not she is.
I always look forward to her weekly visit with her beloved Lola. When I see her tomorrow I will be asking what she is planning to do next.
Last year I featured in an article that the Daily Mail that was written about Jill and Lola. Read about her here and find how special Jill is.
     

Monday

Had a really good day today as I went on a Reading for Well-being workshop. The idea is a group of parents sit and listen to someone reading a short story and then you discuss it. It can bring up all sorts of things depending on the story. I will give you and idea of one of the stories that can be used A Pair of Silk Stockings.  So many questions and ideas came from this story. Like where did she get the money from? Had she once had money and found herself in reduced circumstances?  Then a poem that ties in with the story is read to everyone.  In two weeks I am going back for the second part of the workshop and I have to take along a story and a poem of my own to use. With ideas for creative writing to go with it and I am looking forward to do some research.

I have A Little Aloud an excellent book of short stories and poems already but I welcome any help so please recommended any that you think I maybe able to use.

I have been to a Reading Group before and came away feeling positive and relaxed. Everyone there today said how much they enjoyed having someone read to them. 

I hope to run a  Reading for Well-being Group with the parents at school soon. At other school where this has been used the parents who never read have started to read more and also read to their children . Those that love reading have started tor read different genres.

Should be fun x

Forgotten 1

It started when I added the photo's from our walk at the weekend along the seafront at Tankerton near Whitstable. I have so many photo's on my laptop but recently I looked at my USB stick that I use for my work and found I have so many more that I have forgotten about. For those of you who have read my blog then you know I work at an Primary Academy. 

Here are a few of the beach huts at Tankerton

I love the fact they have decks on their beach huts.

Here are a few of my forgotten photos. I arranged an American themed breakfast at the a while ago. Mark (the Academy's Chef) is a star and came along to cook the scrabbled eggs and pancakes in front of the children. It was the most popular thing I have organised and over 150 children came along not to mention the members of staff lured by the thought of pancakes for breakfast. Not sure it was a healthy meal but who cared it's not everyday.

Waffles and Maple syrup, Blueberry pancakes. 

Josh and Sam waiting for the pancakes.

This my  Dad's Football Team that I started. They are all ages and sizes but they all have fun playing football..

Last year we won the tournament in our area and we are hoping to repeat it again this year.

Many years ago

When I was very small one of the first jobs my mum let me do to help around the house was to polish the brass. In those days we had quite a few things, such as candlesticks, horse-brasses, bowls and ashtrays if I remember correctly. Some of the items I may still have packed in the loft.
Well today the memory came flooding back as I sat polishing by Laura Ashley candlesticks that were a present about 15 years ago. Unlike my mum I rarely polish them but last week I looked at them and suddenly thought how awful they looked. As you can see from the one on the left they look better for a bit of Brasso and and as mum said a bit of elbow grease.

We had book week at school this week and the theme was castles and knights. An good excuse for use to dress up as princesses and damsels. It was lots of fun with the Head and deputy as King and Queen at a Banquet (lunch) on Monday.
I think it will have encouraged a few more children to read more and to write about medieval times and taught them quite a bit about life back then.

I had a shock when I saw this but it was for decorations.It is real! Seeing this makes me realize why I am a vegetarian.

For decorative purposes only. This was a real salmon but it look a little worse for wear.

The tables were set out in rows and the children had to break the bread and eat with fingers.

Harley ran away when he saw me dressed up. I brought on Ebay for £14.95 which was chepaer than hiring a costume for the day.

Saying Goodbye to the Summer

To start with an old favourite to cheer me up.



Tomorrow I head back to work after the 6 week break (groan). School doesn't start until next Monday (hurrah) but the staff are all in for what is know as Dev (development) Days. On the plus side it's going to be interesting to find out what training etc. they have arranged for us and of course it will be good to see everyone and catch up on their news.
Working in a school means my year not only goes from January to January but from September to July. Every September to me means new a beginning/fresh start.
Although I have enjoyed my days out over the Summer I did say 10 years ago that I would never go without a holiday in the Summer again and I wish I remembered that! I don't feel refreshed and ready to return to the daily grind. I'm still having trouble sleeping some nights thinking about work and feel cheated of that time where I can forget everything and relax. We haven't much money to spare hence the stay at home holiday but never again even if it means getting the tent out of the loft.

Anyone been watching the BBC programme Secret Britain?  I have really been enjoying parts of the UK we don;t normally see. What I can't understand however is why would anyone tell the world their favourite secret place, do you? When we first heard the request on Countryfile one Sunday evening we exclaimed why would you as it won't be a secret for long. Thanks to those who did though. What do think?

Everything is quiet on the house selling front. 10 years I wait and the stupid recession gets in the way. The house next door has now sold so there is some hope.

Anyway last day and lots to do. James comes home from his holiday in France, lots of crafting ready for the Christmas Fairs and enjoy the sun whilst it's out in the garden which is very own my secret place. Thankfully I don't think the BBC would be interested in.