Chris Chivers (Thinks)

  • Home
  • Blog-Thinking Aloud
  • Contact
  • Contents
  • PDFs
  • Sing and strum

BonnesVacances

19/7/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

​The school holidays are upon us and a few weeks of R&R may be available to school staff. However, reality is that for many teachers and non-teaching staff, the real holiday won’t start immediately. Thinking, planning and sorting buildings will eat into the first few weeks of the break.

​If teachers are lucky, somewhere in weeks two and three there is the beginning of “holiday mood” as some aspects of the role recede sufficiently to allow space for consideration of personal and family needs. For some teachers this requires a complete break from all school related activities as early as possible, but with the need to pick up and start again a couple of weeks before the start of the next term.


Working in education can appear to be a 24/7/36 role. It’s clear that, even when seemingly distracted, that some aspects of the job interrupt thoughts. I can distinctly remember strimming some long grass in the middle of August and having to rush indoors to find some paper and writing implements to record a small bit of thinking which addressed an issue which had been bugging me before the holiday. The solution came when I wasn’t thinking about it.
​

Picture
Downtime can be mulling time, but it is essential for everyone to have some “me” time. People in education spend their lives giving and there’s never a shortage of takers. So, once the response to whatever the latest Government, school or Governor need is complete and detailed plans and aides-memoire for the autumn are recorded, make time for yourself.

Whether walking, cycling, cooking or any other pastime, enjoy yourself, enjoy the people around you and let the mind wander.


I’ll be doing a very bad Monet impression, at least as far as the straw hat is concerned, accompanied, occasionally by a passable glass of red wine. Paint will from time to time be placed on the canvas. It’s the thought that counts. The product can occasionally be pleasing, but the relaxation is the most important element. DIY will also happen, as long as the weather is helpful.

Walking, talking together, stopping to admire views, taking photographs, picnicking, spotting and watching the abundant wildlife, will all feature and a short trip into the Pyrenees is planned, to explore a new area of France. It's all a kind of discovery, or place and self.

Books will be read; the hammock will be used and hopefully will result in extra sleep, or mulling, which for me will be reflecting on this year of school visits for a range of providers and the many positive outcomes, which continue to suggest that personalisation of learning has a significant impact.
​

Salut. Bonnes vacances.

PS Coffee will also be drunk, with the view at the header, towards M. Bontemps farm, watching the sheep.
​
​
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Chris Chivers

    Long career in education, classroom and leadership; always a learner.
    University tutor and education consultant; Teaching and Learning, Inclusion and parent partnership.
    Francophile, gardener, sometime bodhran player.

    Archives

    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    September 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Assessment
    Behaviour
    Differentiation
    English
    Experience
    History
    Home Learning
    Inclusive Thinking
    Maths
    Parents
    Science
    SEND
    Sing And Strum
    Teaching And Learning

    RSS Feed

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Picture
    Click to set custom HTM L
Proudly powered by Weebly