In short

3 weeks left (and one inset day on the Monday- grrr). Two weeks until my School concert- my first that I have organised. I am slightly nervous of course, but I am sure that it will be fine! The children always make it fine. The choir are sounding really good and I really hope that the audience like our selection. In particular, Nanuma- a 3 part African song, The Birdcatcher from Mozart's magic flute, and Volga Boat song all sound pretty good!
It's being a very entertaining final last half term with my little dears. We have sooo much still to fit in, it seems daunting to finish everything in time but we persevere! We have been enjoying Canoeing- it has been very dramatic, lots of scared moments. Isn't it typical that the one child who didn't come swimming at all would be the only boat to capsize! He was terrified this week and wouldn't move in his canoe so we had to get him into the powerboat instead. Then another child became scared and started panicking and hyperventilating when they were standing up in canoes (bizarre, I don't know why she suddenly became scared). Anyway, she wasn't stopping panicking so we had to get her in the powerboat too. However, she still wasn't calming down and kept trying. I tried getting her to breathe slowly with me, tried talking about other things, tried to reassure her, though without success. Finally, do you know what got her to stop panicking? I sang 'My favourite things' and she joined in with me straight away and we sang the entire song and she was calm!!!! What the canoeing instructor thought of me I don't know. Fearing my sanity I expect. When I told my colleague, her retort was, "You must drive your class mad- they must think they're taught by Julie Andrews!" Yes maybe, but I have to say- I chose to do what I knew would help that particular child and I was right! So HA!

Am currently watching 'Ever After' with Drew Barrymore and Dougray Scott. It is completely and utterly the most beautiful movie ever. Really! So lovely, poignant and romantic! Watch it do!

65. Book of Mercy- Leonard Cohen.
66. Sideways stories from Wayside School- Louis Sachar
67. Be careful what you wish for – Alexandra Potter
68. Size 14 is not fat either – Meg Cabot
69. Tess of the D’Urbervilles – Thomas Hardy

Attack of the orchids

They lie in wait. They are still in the fullness of bloom. They still watch me. They plan their floral wiles. Be warned!

Revolting reports

It is finished.
(except one)

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61. Doctor Who - Grimm Reality – Simon Bucher-Jones & Kelly Hale
62. The Phantom Tollbooth – Norton Juster.
63. The right attitude to rain – Alexander McCall Smith.
64. Dancing shoes- Noel Streatfield.

Sunshine and success!

Today was the auspicious day of our LSO concert at the Barbican! Slight apprehension was not helped by a colleague who said 'Rather you than me, I haven't taken children on a train in 17 years of teaching!'. However, my instinct proved true and we had a fantastic, easy, pain-free day, enjoyed by all. This trip for me was not succeeded by a dirty great headache, but a feeling of elation.

The walk to the station - great

The train journey - fine

The walk from Liverpool street to Barbican- fun and easy.

The lunch by the fountains - very pleasant.

The trips to the toilets- the only slight blot- one set of toilets, 50 schools arriving simultaneously. You do the maths.

The concert - excellent, perfect in length, entertaining, wonderful!

Bamboozled, the participation piece- excellent, my darlings did me proud, remembering everything and performing with alacrity!

The subsequent finishing of lunches and toilet going - much easier second time round.

The return walk to station- very pleasant and easy, only hampered by a slight meandering which was instantly checked.

The return train journey- children all seated in one area, public amused rather than irritated by.

The final walk- quick and easy.

The moaning of children unused to exercise at having to walk for around 80 minutes in total during the day - non existent!

The enjoyment of year 5- seemingly 100%

The tiredness of 6 teachers- surprisingly minimal.

The amount of money saved by school by getting train instead of coach - around £330!

The enthusiasm of Kezzie at instantly going to teach music to the other year 5 class upon return - not so happy. They are very very squabbly. My class are sooo much better.

All in all, a great day for all! I feel very pleased that my first outing (non performance for us) for music was a success! I shall indeed repeat it!