2010: The Review

Well. What a year ... and I've only written one post, or rather put up one video ... to mark one of the main events of the year.

So what has happened this year?

It's been a busy one. School had a tough year with a lot going on, not all good. We got a new headteacher over the summer, and things seem to be going well now. Still very busy though, but in a different way.

I applied for a couple of jobs and eventually got promoted to Head of Department. I'm enjoying the challenge although with the new arrangements at school I am still finding my feet somewhat!

Unfortunately these challenging times have affected my health so for much of the time I have been under the weather and on a variety of medications.

One of the highlights of the year was going to Hyde Park to see the Pope in September. That was fun, and the pupils quite enjoyed hearing about it too.

But the main events of the year were sad events. During the summer holidays, my Great Auntie and my Grandad died within the same week, and I then had two eulogies to deliver the following weeks, one in England, one in Scotland. Two wonderful, wonderful people who will be missed very much. So 2010 is dedicated to them.

Busy week!

I'm not quite sure where the time has gone! Thursday was the teachers' strike: I wasn't on strike - different union - and was lucky enough not to have any lessons to teach that day (only Year 11s were in, in common with many other schools in London, I think). H arrived back on Wednesday (minus hand luggage, but he caught up with it later, so it was okay!) and before that I was busy filling in application forms. On Friday we spent the day interviewing pupils with their parents, and at lunch time I got called for an interview (have had it, didn't get it, but was relieved because I spent the last task wondering whether or not I should withdraw, so it obviously wasn't right, but was a good experience and also made me think about the good things about school). Anyway, I didn't know all that then, so the afternoon was spent running around like a headless chicken trying to organise things! Then went home, packed and drove north because we had a wedding the next day!

It was a beautiful wedding. The weather was perfect, dry, sunny, not too cold, not too hot, and we arrived and pulled over just as the bride arrived in her horse-drawn carriage! We met up with some of my uni friends (one of whom was the bride, another one was in the choir), which meant that it was an extra special day. Took loads of photos: the church is a beautiful old one with lots of interesting history and stories, and a lovely big churchyard. The reception was in a marquee in the Bride's family garden, and it was beautiful as well. We had a roasted pepper tart, lamb shanks with mashed potatoes and veg (my favourite!) and a deliciously creamy cheesecake. The speeches were excellent and very funny - discovered that the Groom went to school very near to my present school - and then we danced to a ceilidh band that played sort of French type music, with a hurdy-gurdy and some interesting pipes (Aha! Perhaps they were those French ones we learnt about in school ...). As well as dancing, we talked lots, which was great.

We stayed in a nice hotel, meeting up with my friends in the morning for breakfast, then had to rush back south to prepare for the interview. But first we visited the school, and first impressions were ... not too hot, shall we say, which worried me a bit but also relaxed me. So overall, as I said, I'm not upset about not getting the post, but am now not too sure what to do! I don't want to rush into anything, so, we'll see.

I am pretty exhausted now though, so I think I'll head off for a bit of a rest before facing clearing up, dinner, and planning for tomorrow! And there seems to be a good programme on BBC4 tonight as well. So maybe I'll watch that ... !