Giraffes Can’t Dance…or can they?
I am not a great dancer and I think a giraffe would possibly have better moves due to having longer legs. I taught a little boy, in one of my previous schools, who developed a brain tumour. He is not here anymore and I always remember that his favourite story was ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’. It is incredible to think what an impact we have on children and what special thoughts they hold of you forever. Sometimes we think that we don’t make such an impact, but I certainly remember the teachers who listened and the teachers who inspired me. The video above is for little Ben who loved ‘Giraffes Can’t Dance’ and always laughed at me when I tried to dance. My aim was to prove that giraffes can dance but I will let you judge that for yourselves!
Last week, I was in Blackpool with a great friend of mine, also a headteacher, and two little girls came running up to me and they grabbed my legs. They were two children who remembered me from my previous school and their mother informed me that one of the girls watched our St.Francis’ school video every week so she could still see me. Humbling does not do the feeling any justice. I know that staff in our much loved school will be remembered for certain things when our current children leave and grow up. It is essential that we do not take all we offer at St.Francis’ for granted because we really do go the extra mile for our children’s benefit. Roles and responsibilities are shared out diversely in larger schools but our staff take on huge roles within school because we simply do not have the staff to share even the smallest of roles. We still manage to do much more than most schools I know and for that I give my thanks to staff for being incredible every day-and always doing it with a smile. I have not come across more adaptable and flexible individuals in one school. You are truly wonderful.
Speaking of wonderful…
We had our first school band rehearsal under our new conductor. Mr Warren did an amazing job and we are very glad he is now a member of the St.Francis’ team. A third of our whole school plays in band and over half of our children have music lessons. This is wonderful and one of the reasons I went into Headship- to be able to make changes for the better and give children the very best start in their school life. One child enjoyed band so much that she described it as ‘awesome’ and the smiles of all said it all. Children who started new instruments shone and our experienced players were more confident than ever. I love the enthusiasm and positive attitudes our children have. Here are some pictures below.
From Band to Fairy Gardens to inspire talk for writing. I think there would be a possibility that I could go into classroom design if ever I decided to venture down a new path! The children have absolutely loved the Fairy Garden small world tray. It is amazing what some pebbles and coloured sand can do! Water pistols have been great teaching tools this week, as I have been in Pendle Class (and had a great time). When you teach multiples of 10, or any number, and you want to count on or back, you can play ‘Quickdraw’ and make sure children have a great time whilst learning. Children stand back to back and wait as another child calls out a number and the two children in the middle of the circle have to blast one another with the water pistol as they shout the correct answer. The faster blaster with the correct answer stays in the circle and the game starts again. There are more pictures of our week on the Pendle webpage!
World Book Day was a treat. Thank you for the effort you put into the children’s costumes. I am sure by now you have seen the video that the older children have made. The older children are excellent role models in school and frequently use their initiative in such events.
I have sent home some information on sickness bugs. Please respectfully be advised that children who have had symptoms of this,at any point in the school year, must stay off school for 48 hours from the last symptoms.
I thank you for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend.
