End of Half Term

Well, it's Sunday night at the end of another half term. Typically tonight JA and I won't sleep too well as our heads will be full of the things to come this week. I actually woke up this morning thinking about what I was going to teach tomorrow. Sad, but at least it has only happened once this week!
We've actually both had a great week off so I thought I would give a quick rundown of its highlights:
Saturday to Tuesday we were in Belfast visiting family and generally having a chance to relax.
A view across the loch/Irish Sea just up from the Patterson household.

Honey the family dog out on a late night walk.

The three lovely Patterson sisters.

Tuesday night of course saw us at the Athlete concert (see previous post) which was followed by a lazy Wednesday spent in Manchester city centre ending with a trip to the cinema to see The Legend of Zorro. Thursday was spent around the house catching up on cleaning/ironing etc before we made it to my parents to help out with the reception after the Didsbury Lectures. This gave me my chance to have a wee chat with N. T. Wright, or Tom as he introduced himself to me! I have to say he is a really nice bloke who was very easy to chat to and always had some little story to go along with the topic of conversation.

Friday approached quicker than expected so we finally got some school work done before making it out to the Jenkins for some curry and Settlers action. JA won and has insisted that I include this!

Saturday allowed us to do a little more work in order for us to enjoy our evening with the Brower-Latz's in Manchester along with their friends from the U.S. It was nice to get to meet them and show them our fair city but I have to say a Saturday night is probably not the best time to show it off (there's plenty more being shown off if you know what I mean!).

Anyway, here we are today after a visit to Emmanuel this morning, a viewing of The Interpreter this afternoon and a coffee with the Jenkins this evening.

So, all in all we have had a great week and enjoyed its variety of activities. We realise we are lucky in getting these breaks and won't take them for granted! And to finish, I have no idea why anybody would really be interested in hearing all of this but I suppose that whats blogs are for in a way. If this one wasn't so good maybe the next one might be!

All you teachers out there - enjoy the eight week run up to Christmas.

Disclaimer: Julie-Ann it should be said worked every day since Tuesday although this was not explicitly mentioned in the above post.

Regular Tourist

JA and I went to the Apollo last night to see Athlete in concert. We both thoroughly enjoyed it although JA wasn't too happy about the four hours of standing around!(Gregster, where are you my concert pal?!) It also didn't help that we had some big dude behind us that seemed to be able to sing as loudly as the boys without the use of any amplification. It was reminiscent of being in a football ground!
Well, Eif and Esther are there tonight and I'm sure they will also have a great evening.

Click here if you would like to hear a recording of one of Athlete's concerts earlier on this year.

Happy Birthday Sandra!!

You got one too?!?!?

Just an opportunity to wish our friend Sandra a Happy Birthday. She never appears to be in our geographical location when it comes to this particular day. So, we have decided to mark this day on the internet for all the world to see (not that we think that the whole world checks out our blog! Thanks to the four of you that do!)

Not quite sure about her age but let us concentrate on the celebration instead! Enjoy your first birthday as a mum and hopefully Lev's handwriting is legible in your card.

Don't eat too much cake!!!

Parents Evenings and Parenting

This week was my turn, yet again to fill my 34 sets or groups of parents in on how their children were doing now that they are in their last year of Primary education. The usual questions arise, do you think ...... needs a tutor? What level do you predict for Numeracy? What do you think of .... school? How can I make my child listen to me? I am trying the super nanny naughty chair what do you think? I can't seem to make.... listen to me can you help? I am getting the whole Kevin the teenager thing at home. What is he like at school? You know, just the usual.

But my last appointment at 7.25 on Wednesday was slightly different. It began with the usuals as I knew that this mum had just had her fourth daughter last year and I have taught her other three so we were discussing if I could last long enough in teaching to teach her last.
She then quickly remarked, "sure you will soon be teaching my grandchild!"
" What," I remarked, " you have a daughter older than C?"
" No, C is 20 weeks pregnant on Friday."

We then continued to chat, C is in Year 9 and 13 years old, she will be 14 by the time the baby is born in March. She is attending Stockport's pregnant girls school and has started her GCSEs early as she is so bright.
So what is so bright about getting pregnant at 13? ( especially as I have been trying for the past 14 months without success at 27 years old, but that is by the by)

Well, I have invited C and the new baby to come to school to talk about Sex Ed and life as a teenage mum, I await to hear if she wants to come.

It is amazing to think that 3 years ago C sat in my class and I taught her English, now she is learning about nappies, feeding and parenting. A real stark contrast and steep learning curve in such a short time.
Good luck C and all you teenage mums out there, your teachers still think of you and wonder what the future holds for you and your children.

Autumn

JA and I went out for a nice stroll yesterday afternoon in Fog Lane Park. It's amazing how much change you see at this time of year. These pictures don't compare however to the Edmonton version of 'Scattered Leaves' but it looked nice nonetheless!
It all looks good right now but I'm not looking forward to raking up thousands of mouldy leaves from our from lawn in a few weeks time!

I'll pay a tenner to anyone who would like to rake these up in a few weeks!

Grease is the Word.

Today, I took 41 children to a local theatre to see our feeder secondary school's production of Grease. I have to say when I as a child and teen I was never allowed to watch or listen to the music, and after today as I was squirming in my seat I now know why. One boy sitting next to me said, "what does, 'knocked up' mean? Mrs. McCulloch" another remarked as we were walking back to school that he thought it was wrong that the actors were pretending to smoke cigarettes. Well that was a moral lesson and a half.

The major thing that watching my ex pupils made me think was that, 'my goodness some of my pupils are in Year 10 now, singing and dancing their hearts out', and here I sit... their ex primary teacher remembering the feeling of being in my school productions. How weird!

Well I still think the music is great if the story line is a bit dodgy.

Saturday Afternoon Coffee and Chat

After Grad today Jamie and I had the chance to met up with two of our closet friends.
It seemed like weeks since we were able to catch up and check up on what we had been up to. They are so busy and we are inflexible with when we can meet, so today was a real treat (and a laugh!)
Jamie and I are really appreciative of our friends may the be near or far.
Know that you are thought of often and cared for.

Sleep well European friends, those of you who are further away, enjoy your day and all it holds.

Graduation

Mark Payne having his moment.

'Hallelujah' Mark! Guess what he said when receiving his certificate?!

The recessional.

Look at the ridiculous crest stuck below the organ pipes! What do you think?

Well, I have no idea how many Graduations I have now been to but I witnessed another one today in the lovely Whitworth Hall. Even though I didn't really know many of the graduands I still couldn't help but share in the joy of their achievements. The variety of people that made their way up the stairs to the platform will all share a different story as to their journey there today. It is emotional in a strange detached way.

I was also present for the fact I had been asked to play guitar for one of the choirs anthems. Nerves are always present before I play anywhere but today this was compounded by the fact I was the only instrumentalist for the song, I was standing on the podium and the rehersal had not gone as planned! When I learnt the song on Thursday night I continued to practice for the next two and a half days. The problem, however, was the tempo I had kept in my mind. The practice soon revealed I was playing very differently from the way the choir had prepared! I spent the next 15 minutes in the back hall going through my intro just to make sure we started at the right tempo!

I have to apologise to Julie-Ann as I was not great conversation for the next hour as I continued to run through the song in my head. Thankfully when my time came I remembered the timing and actually enjoyed the experience!!

Overall my Dad's first experience of leading Graduation ran relatively smoothly. I'm sure he's pretty relieved now and will hopefully sleep well tonight!

Second Open Evening of the week

Well tonight was the turn of Hazel Grove High School to show off their wares to me as I did the obligatory tour whilst Jamie was busy wooing the Year 6's to choose his school.
I have been in 2 secondary schools this week and I want to let you know this.
Despite what we see on our televisions or read in our newspapers, the young people who I have met this week do not strike me as unruly, disrespectful or out of control. Granted, these children were probably chosen to be ambassadors for their school for a reason; I did meet lots of other pupils who were not especially chosen, and I was amazed to see the interaction between past and current pupils with the staff. The positive relationships and banter was so apparent.
So what am I trying to say?
All of you parents out there...... I don't believe that secondary education in the 2 secondary schools I visited this week is that bad and I need to remind you not to believe all you hear or read in the media. Oh, and you secondary teachers out there... keep up the hard, invaluable work you do!

Got it?

Maybe you might want to check out HGHS's website! http://www.stockportmbc.gov.uk/secondary/hazelgrove/

It's an amazing blogging community

Yesterday I found out that more people I know are involved in this strange blogging phenomenon. People who at times seems to scoff and suggest that we bloggers have too much time on our hands!!
Well, I would like to, for the record, point out that it is nothing to do with having too much time, but a strange addiction to catch up. I find myself so bogged down with daily life and stuff, that I struggle to write that card or pick up the phone and call.

So, this may be a small way to keep all of you out there, who invest in me as family or friend or (family of a friend) informed on what I am up to, thinking about or whatever.
I will never be able to tell you about some great intellectual book I am reading as I seem to spend my life reading kids books. ( I am reading a great Ibbotson one right now called the Island of the Aunts, a great story full of strange animals and wacky old women) or join in on some philosophical question, ( as I rarely have time to think about what's for tea?) but I will fill you in on the what's going on in my life ( which is code for classroom, study or infront of my laptop!)


My amazing blogging community... keep on reading.


PS. Someone today suggested that I go part time at work. What a wise friend. I will think about it!! (wink wink)

Bizarre Evenings.

Well tonight was one of them.
After rushing out of school after a senior management meeting discussing mental maths targets ( I know not the most riveting) Jamie kindly went with me to our secondary feeder school open evening, the night when the school puts on their best performance to woo prospective pupils and their parents. Que the two young adults without children!! Yes I went along as a feeder primary teacher.
How scarey, what difficult decisions will have to be made for all you parents out there!
Actually, it was amazing to see how my class behaved and although with their parents they still came to me for reassurance and for answers. I suppose I realised how vunerable they are as 11 year old children and how I do actually make a difference.
So, between the two teaching McCullochs, today has been an 'ahh' day, 'ahh' we like our jobs!
Now bring on tomorrow!

oh...

and I won at 5 a side tonight for the first time in ages!

Feeling useful

School today was interesting for me (not often you hear me talking about school!). One of my former form group students turned up after school to see me!Her name is Helena Zuppinger (!) and she is currently in her second year at college. She had come to ask my advice about her choices when she left 6th form and in particular about Economics. She remembered that I had told them ages ago that I did an Economics degree even though I was a maths teacher. She was enjoying Economics and was considering taking this on at Uni.
We discussed Uni's to go to, the module break down and whether to have a gap year first or after. She even discussed the fact she wanted to do VSO as she was particularly interested in Developmental Economics as her dad had grown up in Argentina and she had been to visit a couple of times.
It was amazing how many parallels we seemed to share and I felt like I had plently to say and things for her to consider before making these choices. We spoke for about 40 minutes and it felt really good to think that I was being of some use to her in helping her shape her future decisions. It is not often in teaching that young people outwardly show if they are grateful for what you have done or can help them with. So today for me finished on a positive note that students DO hear what you have to say and on occasions DO ask you for advice!
Good luck Helena, you deserve it.

Still here but snowed under.

All I feel I have done recently is cook, clean, teach and do school work.
It's not as if I am the only one who does the cooking and cleaning cause actually Jamie is a real star and often takes command over all these duties, but we have been busy trying to catch up on the housework and bits and pieces.
School is snowballing but it will get better, I just need to get myself into a better routine.
So... I will try to blog soon, but I am still trying to clear the snow!

England are poor!

Julie-Ann supposedly captures an 'action' shot during today's England game. The cat was more entertaining to watch and she slept the whole time.

Just to add from JA's post which recently commented "anything for an easy life he says!" I would just like to say that if I did anything for an easy life I would not support England or United. Over the last 2 months I have spent plenty of time at home and in the pub watching the 'boys' and to be honest not much of it has been time well spent. I have even heard a certain Browler say that he hates watching England!

Anyway, here's hoping for Wednesday night when once again I shall be watching the BBC's coverage of our national team. You never know as Mr Rooney is back!

BANKS!! Who'd use them?

The world's local bank that is never open.

Sorry you can only come to see humans between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30pm, but in the meantime we will use the money we are looking after for you to buy and sell and make lots of profit.

Interest rates? Of course, low and crappy but keep using our machines they are happy to help and local to you.

Have a good day!

Crappy opening hours for Banks and Post Offices!

I am going to rant now and I apologise in advance if I offend anyone but banks and Post Offices really cheese me off!

Today we got up early this morning as Jamie had over £200 to deposit in the bank from his students who have recently joining the school fantasy football league. So we arrive at the bank nice and early to hand over the money to a smiling bank teller, only to be told, " we don't have any over the counter staff who work on Saturday mornings and it is like this in every branch of HSBC!"
"What?"
" You can deposit your money in that machine over there."

Did she think I had got up early to give this money to a machine?
I asked her when I would be able to smile and hand my money over to a human instead of a piece of metal and she relied, " Oh our opening hours are Monday to Friday 9.30 - 4.30pm"
9.30 to 4.30pm! I wonder what percentage of people can actually use a bank during these opening hours!
What has happened to dealing with humans instead of online this and electronic that? All I wanted to make sure was that the correct amount of money was going into the correct place and I am not sure if a machine can do that or me!

Post Offices... here's another example of the poor service that is being offered to people who work and cannot get to them during their shoddy opening hours. 9.00 to 4.30pm closed from 12 noon on a Wednesday and some even close for a lunch hour from 12 noon till 2pm. ( Their maths must be terrible as I make this 2 hours!!)

Well I suppose I should count myself lucky that the local Post Office near school is actually open over lunch, but when I spend 15+ minutes in a queue waiting to buy a stamp to post to Europe or North America, I don't feel so lucky!

Crappy services, bring back sensible opening hours and dealing with humans. Is that too much to ask?

JA
PS. Jamie thinks I totally over react in situations like this, anything for an easy life he says!
Oh and the machine ate our money. Here's hoping it was the right amount going to the right place.

Ahh. The glorious weekend.

Well I finally made it, 12 days on the bounce of teaching and working with children and tomorrow is my day off.

I never realised how tired I was until on Tuesday night I went to bed at 7 o'clock and woke up the next morning at 6.45 to the sound of Jamie telling me I had to get up for work! ( I slept well that night.) Where did the night go?

This week has been 'interesting' as my class have been grouchy; they have been tired and to be honest I have probably been that way too.

So.... it is the weekend, a time to reflect, catch up and recharge, ready for the week to come. It is Harvest festival this week and the following week it is Parents Evenings for 2 nights. I'm not complaining though, as it's half term the week after. ( Nothing like wishing your life away.)

Hopefully tomorrow we will get out in the garden or for a walk around Lyme Park or Dunham Massey. It is all dependant on the Manchester rain, we will keep you informed.

Vancouver does sound nice!! ( I'll look for jobs in the TES in BC).
JA

Poor JA

Poor JA eventually hit the sack at 7:15 tonight as her weekend excursions finally caught up with her. I am just back from football (where my team were just thrashed) and she is still sound asleep. Here's hoping she will feel on top form tomorrow. So apologies to anyone who was hoping for a blog from Jewels tonight. I am confident she will be back with renewed strength tomorrow. Sleep well JA.

Happy 30th Eif

Thank you to Eifion's co-workers who signed his birthday card wishing him a a warm welcome to his 4th decade! He should now be joining a few great others who celebrate(d) this event in 2005.

Eif, I apologise for the surprising photo opportunity. You have to say you are not looking too comfortable. However, escaping to the kitchen to 'pump' is a wonderful act of mercy on your guests.

Also, please do not attempt to comment on this by spouting some story that you were actually preparing the coffee or anything like that.

PS. Jenks is actually only a youthful 27. "Man I can't believe I've been taking advice from someone so young."

I'm back!

Well, I will fill you in on all the details of my weekend away with my class later, but I am back. I'm in one piece, with all my luggage ( all dirty, mud caked) and with a funny tummy ( the food was typical of school dinners!) But it is school again tomorrow.

This will be me, I hope my class are zombied too!