But I Smile Anyway…

Good morning, Peeps! Only one more Monday left of term, after today! So, it’s still busy, busy!

I’ve got my green tea. What have you chosen?

• If we were having chai, I would tell you that school has been quite surreal the last few weeks. There is that strange feeling of the children suddenly growing up, getting bigger and maturing. Picking up things they were unsure of only a few short weeks ago… Makes me feel better that most will be better prepared for Year One, but it still surprises me how much they can change! We’ve been finalising reports and data and talking to the class teachers above about the children joining their cohort next year… Meanwhile, I have been trying to sort out the lists for next year and get home visits sorted out, too. There is a lot of restructuring happening next year, including my responsibilities, so I need to get my head around everything!
• If we were having chai, I would mention that Lil Princess was with me in school for work experience, along with one of her friends, who also used to come to our Primary School. I’ll start by saying well done to her because for someone who has the level of anxiety that she does, coming into a class of 30 4-5-year-olds who are so loving and in your face can be quite scary. She was in school for three days and at her own school for two days to break the overwhelm. My SEND kids loved her, and one even wanted to come home with her. He followed her around saying, “You are my best friend!” and was so upset the two days she wasn’t there! And another fell asleep on her, too! She was brave enough to not stay in my class with me, but in a class with another teacher, after her first day, which was another big thing for her. That colleague of mine complimented her on how she worked with the children and built a gentle rapport with them. I am immensely proud of her!
• If we were having chai, I would say that I have had a naughty food week this week, and it is all because of school and lovely parents! (and event catering on Friday!) On Wednesday, a parent brought. individually served bags for the whole of our team as a thank you for teaching her children. There were samosas, spring rolls, bread pakoras, and a chickpea salad to eat. I used it for two meals! And on Thursday, another parent made food for the whole school staff! Biryani, curry, chicken drumsticks, raita, pitta bread, and a trifle to top it off! On Friday, I was asked to represent the senior leaders of our school at an event and they had a lovely breakfast, including freshly baked croissants and cookies. So, you can see why I may not have lost anything this last week!

• If we were having chai, I’d mention that I have started wearing lots more dresses because I feel like being floaty… I bought a few last year but never wore them, but now I have decided to forget what I think anyone else will think, and wear them, happily. And you know what? They make me feel so happy! (Just ordered two more, too!)

• If we were having chai, I’d share that I have a new word to describe how I feel pretty much 100% of the time… What with perimenopause, dealing with school stuff, and some of the home related things we have going on, this is my favourite word, right now!

• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. He keeps chewing at any plant he can find, then makes himself sick. Silly kitty! But he’s loving being in my office. Here he is, curled up asleep while I write this post!

One week and two days left of school… not that I am counting! It will be a strange week, filled with emotions as one member of my team finishes with us and leaves for another post, and another who has her last day for the year or Friday. Though we still have a few days left after the weekend, I have a feeling there will be some children who may not make it to the end of the term, too… And it is the Year Six leaver’s party and assembly. This year six were my first ever class taught in this school for a whole year, when they were in Nursery, so I have watched some of them grow for eight years. I feel there will be emotions involved! Elsewhere, Lil Princess has a sleepover, and I have a baby shower to attend!

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