Malawi & More

  I had an uncomplicated and uneventful weekend, I think the week before had really sapped my energy.   Monday and Tuesday, Sean was in and we spent most of those days together, planning, talking, deciding, and it felt good to be treated like the experienced professional I am. There were more safeguarding issues, which are very much expected towards the end of term. And then some unexpected ones that I wasn't happy with how they were dealt with. External professionals not doing what I expected, the niggling doubt that I haven't done all I can and should remains. September should see significant change on this.  Maggie arrived on Tuesday, we were able to celebrate her new job for September and chat away. The others had gone to the theatre, A and M loved it, and were soaked as the end there was dancing in the stage rain.  A got an award for being a brilliant History student. And M got a tutor award.  Then the last day of term. For lots of reaso...

  The baby shower was mildly awkward given that the only people I knew were staff and only one of them was there for the first hour. No booze and a short event so totally fine but I spent quite a bit of it talking to the old deputy head who happily talked about all the problems he had faced at Belmont - very amiable man.  A had her birthday party, lots of sugary things consumed. While BigA and I sat up stairs watching films on our bed.  I got my new glasses on Sunday, bought more plants from the lady on the side of the road. No idea what they are but beautiful flowers. And then sort of watched the football.  My boss in his wisdom decided the school should open late. I think to mitigate the fact that staff were going to be late so he could at least say he decided it. Really not sure how the parents put up with us. He's also let 2 staff go on holiday early. I just don't understand his thinking. 3 days to go!  BigA and I went out for dinner with friends in Monday, ...

  Because of the day off on the Thursday, my weekend was a much needed - do almost nothing affair, a mooch about the house rather than anything big. The same can't be said for the rest of the family who seemed endlessly out and doing.  I looked at the school calendar... 13 school days left. And this week the new interim Head came in. I'd been preparing a pack for him. Things I suspect he would want to know and to help him get a quick picture of the school. He's potentially only going to be here for 1 term but what I'm hoping for is someone I can learn from. Someone unafraid to make some hard choices. Someone who backs up my expectations to enable us to provide our students with the education they deserve. The reality felt mixed. Partly because my current boss was difficult about us (the new head and other deputy) having time together. It's almost like we're being held at arms length.  The new head had explained he talks to think, so I'm having to listen to t...

I  do enjoy a drink but I really do enjoy waking up on a Saturday morning and having the energy I want to get on with a day. So I didn't drink last Friday. I did a bit of tidy and made a lasagna for the evening meal and then I had booked myself in for an eye test. My plan was to get a couple of pairs, having realised how difficult things would be if I lost my ones or had an unfixable pair. And as I was heading into Woodgreen I planned too, to get some stuff for end of term goodbyes, thank you cards and a few bits for me. Busy morning. The appointment was good, eyes healthy despite the issues with my macular hole etc. This optician was very good at doing her very best to check the vision in my mostly blind eye and that's the first time I've done the test with what was one huge letter.  The salesman was very nice too, I explained that I had a very small head. He smiled and said there were two brands that were usually smaller frames. I like that he had hope, but nope off we he...