It always amazes me that the world is always perceived as such a wonderous place to a child. Today, I listened to Louis Armstrong singing ‘What a Wonderful World.’ The week has been very busy and filled with many different challenges. We need to stop, reflect and take the time to appreciate the wonder in the world-just as a child does. This thought crossed my mind when I saw the children go on our new trim trail for the very first time today. The expression on their faces can only be described as ‘sheer delight.’  Each class will be given a play time when it is for their use to avoid congestion! It was magical, however, to see the older children take the hands of our younger children and help teach them how to use the trim trail safely. As I stood in the middle of the trim trail activity area, wind blowing in my hair, I resembled only what could be described as ‘Worzel Gummage’-some of you may remember the children’s TV programme about the scarecrow!

In the middle of chasing chickens on the field and plunging a sink, I managed to drink a coffee and speak to some chidren about Eco Warriors and the new School Council. I can’t wait to work with the children on further improving school for them. Their views and opinions matter so much  to us. Speaking of which, I have sent home a school dinner survey today in order to improve our school dinner menu. Please do complete this and send it back. I will always listen to your feedback.

It was at dinner time that I was asked if I like custard. This followed a very long conversation about the different types of cake you can put with custard. You learn something new every day and I now know that the only ‘real’ cake you can put with custard is chocolate cake. You may have guessed that this was in Pre-School. I am glad we have cleared that one up because I do not want to have any culinary mishaps over the weekend! They do make me smile!

We had to protect Mrs Holden today from the little cockerel in UFA. I found out that he ‘really doesn’t like’ Mrs Holden and it was a great idea from Ed to put his hand over its eyes in order to prevent it from seeing her. The idea actually worked and Mrs Holden  has gone home for the weekend happy. We are so pleased that the hens are laying eggs. I haven’t tried one yet but I believe they are very tasty although very small. Miss Stewart tells me that the cockerel is so handsome that we could ‘show’ him. I am always in welcome of publicity for the school so I think it is a great idea. Since joining St.Francis,’ I have experienced many new things. These have included: running from sheep, seeing chicks hatching, burying a rabbit and riding on the back of a tractor. I relish the prospect of ‘showing’ a cockerel.

The UFA groups are wonderful and I just love to see the community groups in action. It is always important to serve others. We welcomed grandparents in to read with their little ones and the afternoon was a joy.

I found an old poem that a parent once gave to me in a card as a gift. She told me that it reminded her of me with the children in my class. I have always kept it and it is on my office wall in school because it reminds me of what matters and what we are here to do in order to shape children’s lives. I hope you like it:

I Took His Hand and Followed

My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn’t make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I…

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the Summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood…

My kitchen wasn’t swept today

But life was bright and good.

We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill…

Saw a cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,

That I didn’t brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.

But that I’ve helped my little boy

To noble adulthood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.

Have a wonderful weekend…