Christmas prep

Well, today I have made a fresh raspberry ice cream and a low fat natural yoghurt raspberry ice cream using my ice cream maker. Quite a relaxing past time and really easy. These are both in bowls in the freezer ready to take to Christmas lunch and Christmas tea respectively. Different families ... different desserts! I found a really easy recipe on Youtube which I then modified!

It seems like a few desserts, but I also made my famous Raspberry Coconut Cream Sago. That is in the fridge setting ready for tomorrow.

Now all to do is make the salad tomorrow morning (an awesome spinach salad) and dig the potatoes from the garden.

This may not have a great deal with teaching and learning, but passing on recipes and my cooking skills to the boys is also very cool!

BloKart on the beach

Another thing I am just getting in to is BloKarting. I have been finding it somewhat frustrating however, as the winds at the beach are very much up and down! They seem to constantly switch and change here at Okains Bay. Might have something to do with the valley, the trees and the long beach.

Sam has had a few goes, but has realised it hurts if you tip over. I have recently read that if this happens, I have to hold on to the handlebar and keep my feet in rather than doing the natural thing of putting your hand or foot out to stop yourself!

I plan on going to have a look at the Karters at Wigram over the next few weeks.

Holiday and rest time

The year has certainly flown by. After a very busy last three weeks especially, I am having a bit of time with the family over at our place in Okains Bay. Today the wind has really come up so no drag netting today. Instead enjoying some quiet out front of the house looking at the beautiful bay in front of us.

It is so important to have time for yourself and to enjoy with your family.

I quite often talk about this in my school newsletter introduction.

Family time is so important! Enjoy the times you have and make time to just chat too. I am going to be doing more of this next year!

Last week of Term 4

It is quite exciting, but also a little sad. My first year at Wairakei is coming to an end!

I am at the moment, working on my speech I am to give tomorrow at the Leavers' assembly. It is really quite a big deal and I am always a bit nervous at these events.

The hall is decked out in fairy lights, the kids are walking in with a silver star with their name on it and this is to be placed on the stage in special buckets. All very moving!

I am certainly making sure that what I say is relevant to them and to the occasion.

We have a number of cups, trophies and the like to give out as special prizes. I can say here that I was so proud of my own son who last week at his school's prizegiving, came away with the top prize for his school. I certainly know how each of the parents will feel tomorrow!

Well, off to a practise for the whole school to see how the assembly is to go tomorrow. Luckily, I don't have to practise my bit!!

Keep smiling

Rain!!!

I would like to think that the weather doesn't have a bearing on how children are at school ... but as all educationalists know - it does!!

Rain means wet break times, smelly classes and fogged up windows. Rain means children getting wet moving to the library, to the hall, to the maths class, to the music room etc.

Thankfully, Wairakei children are "absolutely brilliant" and keep themselves occupied with purposeful activities during the breaks!

I think the staff deserve a hot savoury at morning tea!!!

Absolutely Brilliant end of year reports

Reading and signing the end of year reports is a big job ... but a hugely enjoyable one! I am able to wear both my hats - the Principal hat looking at the content in relation to accuracy and information sharing, and my parent hat looking at each report as if it were for my own children.

It is great to see that yet again, the absolutely brilliant teaching staff have put a great deal of thought into writing the reports, stating actual examples of achievement and have data to back up their comments.

Keep up the awesome work guys. I know that our wonderful parents appreciate the time and effort in you completing these.

Image by AndYaDontStop via Flickr

Well sometimes I feel like this guy!

Today was pretty awesome. Days like today make you think that being a leader of learning is the job that isn't a job! It is what you like doing!!

Building leadership capacity is what being a Principal is about. Seeing the leadership potential in others and giving them the opportunities to develop as leaders in a "safe" environment - one where everyone is happy to be part of a learning culture.

First time

After seeing the kids at school editing their own blogs, I thought that it was about time I started.

How easy is it?

A quick search for blog on my favourite browser Chrome, and I was linked to the blogger site. Now I do know there are other sites, but this was certainly an easy way to begin!

Now to make it "pretty" - but then how much is too much! I have seen some very busy sites on my walkabouts on the Web. I like clean and uncluttered - which brings me to my Blog title.

I am not known for my regular written correspondence. Short, sharp emails are my best form of regular communication with anyone!

Maybe this will be good for me.

Maybe I will prove the title to be a lie!

Until the next time ...

Keep smiling