Day 12 - The penultimate Day

prologue 1: There are 3 year 6 classes at the school and last weekend i did discos for two of them - these were great fun and it was really brilliant to party with the children

 prologue 2: I had gone to buy my lunch at Sainsburys and felt drawn to a deodorant display but i'm in a rush so just move on.  When i arrive at the school and take my coat off i realise that i stink - really stink.  I think maybe God was directing me to the deodorant and as is often the case, i missed the call.  I imagine him up in heaven holding his nose and hope sincerely that none of the teachers notice...

Last night had been the school open day so all the classes are immaculately laid out with work on display.  the first hour of the morning is the 'school safari' where each class tours around to see what everyone else has been up to in the year - its a good chance for the children to share with each other and me - though an awful lot of them seem more interested in looking out the window at other people's views!

Breaktime was fun - i played 40-40 with a bunch of boys.  When the bell goes all the children have to stand absolutely still and silently where they are and line up when called.  I used this opportunity to 'it' all the boys - their faces where mingle incredulous annoyance and frustation… points to me i think!

I've written a questionaire for teachers and children about this project and spent some time sorting those out before goint o find Yr6.  They are preparing for the school play which is excellent, but they are not allowed to talk so theres not much space for me… i go to help with yr4 games.


One boy is sitting out because "my Dad dropped a knife on my knee" - i ask if i can look and he doesn't answer.  I try to chat with him but i get one word responses or complete silence. 
It later transpires that he has made the story up - he has also been writing swear words all over the score sheet - he is in BIG trouble!
I manage to catch him later in the day and say if he ever wants to chat i'm his friend - he goes a little embarrassed mumbles something and turns his back on me.


Lunchtime is spent chatting to some of my favourite Yr 6 girls.  One of them shares their dream folder with me about her aspirations for the future - Living in the US (florida) having children (don't know how many) and including the line "i have all the resources i need to become the very best i can be" - its a brilliant folder.  Another of them has decided to make the world a "huggier" place so i get a hug :-)

Eco club are having an all afternoon special pond dipping day.  I go out to have a look at their finds.  however the clouds start to roll in and i don't have a coat so i go in.  Literally 30 seconds later, this happens:

Day 11 - The Year 6 Worry Clinic

I've come in on a Tuesday this week (rather than wednesday) because i had an assembly booked.  Unfortunately this was a double booking and the Paralympian trumps me!

Don't get to say hello to many children this week because of the caffuful around seting up for assembly and then packing down.  However several children do comment on me being there the wrong day so I guess that is a good sign that they've come to have certain expectations of me.

I spend the morning helping a lad with low confidence, watching the other assembly (in my opinion not nearly as good as my own!!).  There are some year 10 girls doing work experience and I chat to them.

I find out a few days later from a friend that the girls recognised me from when they were at school several years ago and were "very excited" and genuinely "inspired" to see me still doing kids work - this makes me very happy!

I've organised with a year 6 teacher to hold a drop-in clinic for anybody is concerned about moving schools.  I sit down in my spot after morning break and spend the next hour and half chatting with a steady stream of boys.  Main worries include (with my suggestions):

Catching the bus - (don't worry if you get the wrong one, it's an adventure)

Fights breaking out - (walk away or stand at a safe distance and enjoy the show)

Getting lost - (Just explore, open every door you can and have a snoop around)

What are the cool things to say? - (its not what you say, its who you are thats cool)

It is almost entirely boys.  One girl comes to ask if it has to be school or "can we talk about something else?" - of course i say we can chat about whatever she wants.  After 30 seconds of umming and aahing she decides she does want to talk about it - "thats fine" I say smiling, "you know ahere i am if you want me"

Its well into lunch break by the time i finish the clinic so i go and chat with teachers.  At the end of break another yr6 boy collars me and we talk for a full hour! - i am now exhausted :-)

I go to visit my yr4 buddies and then go home about 3:30 since there is no eco club today.

Day 10 - A very short day

This morning i was asked to spend some time with a lad in year 4 who is a bit shy and could do with a bit of boosting.  I sat with him all through french lesson.

I had a chat with the Head about her reflections on Chaplaincy - i think the strongest concern was over how to fund such a project, secondarily would be a concern about how parents would construe a religious figure in the school - though this was not a major concern.

After break i had to leave the school to go an give a presentation on the project.  I got back in time to read with some yr4 girls - which was an incredibly fun experience involving a lot of improvisation and accents from around the world.

After school was Eco club - i had my picture taken as an official member of the club today - the camera battery then ran out which was a problem because they needed photos for the national Eco monitors to check the status of the school.  I took photos on my Iphone which caused a bit of a problem as it breached school policy! - Whoops!