Changing of the Guard

It is so good to be back. I have had a wonderful sabbatical but I am most fortunate to have the privilege of having the best job in the world. I get to work with some of the world's most fabulous people; adults, staff, parents and children who want to learn and see each day as opportunity. I think that is why I am so passionate about education, because it is so empowering and so hopeful, the people involved in it what to make a difference especially the learners.
The week went well, great to be greeted by so many children and adults who were keen to hear how my time away was. Of course I was more interested in what they had been up to and have spent some time catching up. I did however "miss the boat" on a couple of things - one was a really big error on my part - hopefully, my apology will be accepted...... I forgot to acknowledge last terms recipients of the Wai Learner Awards ( this is a biggee so I really mucked up). My only excuse was that there was a "changing of the guard" and I simply moved on without thinking about the last few days of term 2. So I am really sorry to the outstanding students who received these awards - not flash on my part at all however they will be in the newsletter this week. I understand they were recognised by at the last assembly for the term so at least some people knew.

CHANGE
I must say that I take my hat off to learning team 3. They have had to move out "lock, stock and barrel"( I am into using cliches obviously) from their rooms and shift to a new area whilst the remodel of the main block has begun. They did it so easily and if you could see how well they have set up their new environments you would be suitably impressed. Learning Team 2 however have shown how adaptable they can be by ignoring all the activity going on above and beside them. When you look at the way the main block looks from the South side at the moment you might start wondering how it will ever possibly be finisheds- I guess that is the thing about demolition, you do have to get rid of the old to make way for the new. I know there will be lots of people really pleased to hear we are completely replacing the locker bay and toilets and addressing the really noisy and unsafe stairwell. It will be well worth the wait.

Don't you just love term break!!

I do. Except this year I felt a bit of a fraud as I had had my trip overseas and sabbatical so I really was ready to go back to school. Fortunately I have had one or two distractions to prevent me from creating heaps of work for other people next term. One thing I love about term break is you get the freedom to work when you want where you want so working at home away from the noise of the builders was really good and as the power, water and heat was little unreliable I felt quiet guilt free. I also had the added issue of my home computer being out of action so I was really forced to think about how we used to do things before computers.

I have spent time with my family and friends and even had my two nephews up to stay over the school. They love Timaru and rightly so because it has so much to offer; a good crisp climate in the winter, great resources on our doorstep like skiing, skating and just being active. They know all the really cool places to go like the skate park, the Scenic, the board walk and really enjoy "shooting hoops" at school and playing on the playground. They both spent quite a lot of time climbing one of my trees and determining the best way to build access and a hut. The other thing that kept them on their toes and rather challenged, was my new addition. I am now the proud owner of a Jack Russell puppy called Flynn. He is now nearly 10 weeks old and is still learning a lot ( and so am I) about what to do and not to do. I can see that my life has changes substantially and I will now need to adjust a number of my habits for him. He is very cute and of course I think he is rather intelligent but I guess that is the usual bias showing. I can't help but I have included a photo - you will see what I mean when I say he is cute!!

I am sure somewhere along the way you will get to know him quite well.

This term looks to be an exciting one with the challenge of coping with all the building going on and the changes this has meant, the ERO visit, skiing, skating and Student learning conferences and of course we have simply getting on with our learning.

I can't wait till Monday when everyone turns up so pleased to be back, yes kids (and Parents) really do like school and the staff well they never sleep well on Sundays anyway because their heads are so full of everything they want to happen in the next week, this is worse on the eve of a new term. I hope you are ready for Term Three and all that it brings, I look forward to catching up with you all.

Working at Home

Thank you for all the questions I am getting about my trip. Bumble is fine and has now returned to school, he couldn't wait and he needs to get back to his job. I unfortunately have to finsih my work at home even if I really would ratehr be at school. I did pop in and see all the staff yesterday and that was great, they have all been so busy. I can see that Waimataitai Wai Learners have continued to be right into their learning. I am looking forward to seeing all of your wonderful work at the Art Auction.

It is hard to believe that last week I was in summer and this week I am in winter. Does anyone know how that works? It was light at 4.30am in the morning and didn't get dark till after 10pm in Scotland, I come back here and it is still dark at 7.30am and at 4.30pm it is getting dark again, I wonder why that is?

Next week I am off to some meetings and courses and will visit a school in Christchurch that has been trialling a Nurture Group this year. I want to find out how it is going for them. I can see the time to get all my writing done and all the other projects I have planned to do will go very quickly.

Bumble is Back !!

I know many of you wanted photos while we were away but that proved too difficult for Bumble. However now we are back we will be trying to work out how the best way to share these with you will be. This photo is from one of my favourite places.... Bled, in the background there is a church on an island where people go to get married. The man has to carry the woman up the stairs on his back and she must not say anything. It is a very interesting tradition. I know someone getting married I wonder if they might try it.

Bumble is having a rest in Hyde Park, London, he had been walking all around London that day and had had lunch at Convent Garden with the pigeons who are always very happy to talk to tourists having lunch.

This is a very famous fountain in Rome.

This is Bumble at the "Lizard", right at the southern end of Britain. It does not have as many tourists as "Lands End".

And one more ....... Bumble really enjoyed San Gigminiano in Tuscany, Italy. He liked the old buildings and streets and the beautiful Tuscan Hills and valleys.

Be back soon..

Hi to everyone and thanks for all the really neat comments while i have been away. I will be back in New Zealand on Sunday and maybe I might see some of you next week, but I have lots of writing to do before I come back to school officially.

I really enjoyed Scotland - I love the Scottish people they are so friendly, generous and helpful. A lot of Scotland is like New Zealand. When we visited Edinburgh you get off the train and you hear the bagpipes as some one is playing just outside the station. Every where you go you see the Scottish thistle which I really like also. I did manage to get some Scottish and Welsh rugby jerseys - some of you will know they are for.....

Today Bumble, Pauline, Sarah and I are going to Kew Gardens ( Miss Wilson and Mrs Vincent will be very jealous!). Pauline thinks that Bumble will get hayfever and maybe he should stay home but I think he will tough it out. Pauline can be so thoughtful sometimes. After Kew gardens we will have dinner in London and we are going to a show called "Sister Act". They have so many shows in London it is hard to choose. Another hot day here.

Might see you next week sometime...

What do the Scottish call Lakes?

HAve spent the last few days in a place called Pithlocry, can you find it? Back to near London now and have started thinking about the trip home and how to pack my bags. Did you know in Scotland and England you have pay to go fishing in the rivers and it is very expensive.

Bumble is off to bed already as we travelled over 560 miles today - not sure how many kilometres that is but it took us a long time. In Britain they use miles, pounds and pence. They still have 1 penny two pence, 5pence pieces too - really strange and quite annoying when you are not used to them.

Fly out on the plane from Heathrow Airport on Friday evening at 6.40 and we get to Christchurch by 11am on Sunday but we only fly for 21 hours so how does that work out I wonder????

Armadale, West Lothian

Thanks for all the comments. I can't believe the weather in Scotland, 27 degrees yesterday and looks the same today. Yesterday I visited three different schools - all very different. Uphall, Toronto and St JJoseph's in Whitburn. I saw a music therapy session and got to conduct the orchestra. We went to an assembly and presented certificates for brass exams. We saw the most amazing toilets ( yes really) at St Joesph's - beautifully painted with murals - have an idea....... about this.



I have met some amazing teachers and head teachers ( that is what principals get called here) and really neat kids. They are very interested in us.

Last night we caught the train into Edinburgh and went right past Edinburgh Castle. They are ripping up the main street in Edinburgh to put in trams, I wodnewr why? This is not the first place that has done this.

We are off to Pithlochery tomorrow for two nights and thenhead back to London until we catch the plane home. I think Bumble is ready to come home now, he has had so much fun adn learned so much but I think he misses school and everyone there. Hopefully he will back in time for the senior cross country.

Well best get going again we are off to Linlithgow to do some shopping.

I heard teh SING OFF was fantastic, am really sorry I missed it - did any one video it?

Miss you all - hope you remembered Mrs Donaldsons birthday last week too...