I could call you Betty...

Apart from one or two bits of Badocks craziness, we've had a really good first week, and, after a little sunshine, everyone looks amazing.

What have we learned this week?

• Year 1 know their lines, especially Beerbelly beerbelly;
• Mr Vaisey could be a body double for Tim Henman;
• Year 6 are calm, maybe too calm...
• Reception, a bunch of salty sea dogs, have ensured even pirates write to each other politely.

And, of course, everyone has been mesmerized by our new boards. Awesome.

Enjoy the sun everyone. That is all.

most humble and abject ...

... apologies for the length of time between blogs. I had forgotten - simply - that it was part of my Thursday night routine until far too late.

Nevertheless, here am I. New glasses (well done Lewis, the only one to spot them) hair (everyone's spotted that - even me own Mum lost me in the supermarket last week, first time since 1984) and a carling Cup runners up medal to show.

Anyway, what have I learned since the lost toe-tipping into the blogosphere...

• year 5 are no good at looking after books;
• bolognese should never be tampered with;
• all children should still maintain their best work even if it is not their own teacher in class;
• that my ukelele is really easy to fix if the tuning pegs keep slipping;
• that year 5 like my car, but not Mr Scaiff's;
• that Miss Lane likes my car, even though we only ever take the same short journey in it;
• that adults, like children, sometimes shy away from the truth;

I venture back to the land of my birth this weekend. Is this wise I hear you ask. To be honest, ever since I planned the trip, I have had my doubts. However, I will spend an evening jamming with Jos, which is always worthwhile. I can give him that awful mandolin back.

Come on the villa.

That is all.

Is it good enough?

A question I have asked the staff to ask this question repeatedly. We all have to ask ourselves this. I have asked myself this question over and over again over a long, enjoyable, work and extra-snacked fuelled half term. Is it good enough? Is that piece of work good enough? Is your behaviour good enough? Is your attitude or attendance good enough?

Believe you me, when staff's work this week has been lacking, the same question has been asked - is that really truly good enough? As good as you can do? As good as our children deserve? As good as Southmead can get? Deserve? Give? You're going to get bored of me asking the question, but ask it I shall, and, at the risk of going a bit Yoda, challenge it I will, and ask for more shall I.

What have I learned this week?

That good organisation breeds good learning.

That failure to include is an excuse to fail.

That blaming others where your own faults lie is an excuse to fail.

That even in the bleakest moment, determination is a chance to excel.

That we will be inspected before the summer.

That good poetry is faultless.
That bad poetry is fairly faultless too.

And so, before I say "COME ON YOU VILLAINS" for Sunday, and, don't worry Dad, or Colin, I'll get tickets for the FA cup final, I would like to end by sharing a poem I wrote at this evening's staff meeting, because teachers have to do homework too.

Words
Complex, simple,
Efficiently, easily, emotionally,
Scribbled, heard, felt, meant...

That is all.

Half a year gone...

So here it is - the half way point of what is turning out to be yet another breath-taking rollercoaster of a year in life at Badock's Wood. I cannot believe it is now 6 months since I first greated people on that first, fine, fresh September morning. However, it is, and much has happened. The pace of change and progress of the school as a whole has been decent; in the next six months, it must become lightspeed-like.

What have I learned this week? I have had a very mixed week personally, and therefore my learning list is more surreal than ever, which, let's be honest, is pretty surreal even by my standards. I have learned:

1. That boys the world over love a blocked loo, for reasons I cannot fathom.
2. That the attendance of the children (and some of the adults) is worse than I feared.
3. That Mr Scaiff's passport photo is....interesting.
4. Still, regardless of how hard we try, children cannot respect the thousands of pounds worth of books that we bought.
5. That when gathering to pay respects, the utter dignity of silence can warm even the coldest building.
6. That I will have no choice but to be far tougher with some children (and some adults) if I am to maintain the standards for which I strive.
7. That old colleagues are old friends.
8. England will probably score more than I predicted in the whole tournament. A little more, anyway.
9. That some of our children persist in being mean to others, even when they use the internet.

Have a good half term everyone, and rest, because the second half of the year will be a challenge, especially for those who cannot handle one.

RI very well deserved P mate. All the best x

From this side of the desk..

... I have to tell you all that I'm very proud of what we have achieved. However, we still have far to go.

I am unbelievably sorry to any staff I have upset or offended, and never sought to cause distress, embarrassment or worry. However, as we start the next chapter in the school's history, everyone should be warned that, in what should be an ever-continuous search for nothing less than perfection, I shall not tolerate anything less than the best, and nor should others.

I have already told my dining table, where I do all my work at home, that we shall be getting even better acquainted.

Oh, and we failed the audit.

Anyone got Webley tickets?

That is all. Thank you all.