For the first time in MONTHS (literally) I have NO marking to do. Read my lips - NONE. NADA. ZIP. ZERO. NOUGHT. NOTHING.
Of course, this blissful state will only last about 2 days till my next lot of marking comes in, but I'm so pleased with myself, and so thrilled not to have marking hanging over my head that I thought it was worth a quick post.
Join me in having a glass to celebrate!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
From smiles to destinies
Nothing warms my heart quite as much as seeing my kids playing together and having fun. I guess it's that I love seeing the people I adore loving and adoring each other as well.
On the way to church this morning I couldn't help smiling, and then laughing, as Nellie tickled Nate till he was squealing with joy. Seeing that boy's face light up as his sister's hand drew nearer was so precious. Seeing him laugh and smile is just so precious too, but seeing him love his sister like that, and seeing her love him like that.... It warms the cockles of my heart.
I was reminded again this morning just how blessed I am to have my kids. I was reminded again that I nearly lost Nellie during her birth, that I nearly lost Nate during his, and that I did lose Zoe before hers. I was reminded that Nate is a special blessing to us - not a replacement for Zoe, but a blessing to ease the pain of her loss. His friendly, outgoing nature and his ready smile make any dull day beautiful and any pain less intense. Wherever he goes he makes others smile and laugh. I truly believe that this child has a destiny to bring Christ's healing and joy to those he has contact with.
His sister's gift seems less spiritual - she is a WHIZZ at puzzles. She has a sensitive spirit and an enquiring mind, with a stubborn streak she could only have inherited from me. Quite what her destiny is, I'm not sure. It's going to be fun learning and growing with her though as we figure it out.
On the way to church this morning I couldn't help smiling, and then laughing, as Nellie tickled Nate till he was squealing with joy. Seeing that boy's face light up as his sister's hand drew nearer was so precious. Seeing him laugh and smile is just so precious too, but seeing him love his sister like that, and seeing her love him like that.... It warms the cockles of my heart.
I was reminded again this morning just how blessed I am to have my kids. I was reminded again that I nearly lost Nellie during her birth, that I nearly lost Nate during his, and that I did lose Zoe before hers. I was reminded that Nate is a special blessing to us - not a replacement for Zoe, but a blessing to ease the pain of her loss. His friendly, outgoing nature and his ready smile make any dull day beautiful and any pain less intense. Wherever he goes he makes others smile and laugh. I truly believe that this child has a destiny to bring Christ's healing and joy to those he has contact with.
His sister's gift seems less spiritual - she is a WHIZZ at puzzles. She has a sensitive spirit and an enquiring mind, with a stubborn streak she could only have inherited from me. Quite what her destiny is, I'm not sure. It's going to be fun learning and growing with her though as we figure it out.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Who SCORES?
Last weekend I went on a ProGro through Naptosa, on 'Leading across all levels in a school', which was based on one of Ken Blanchard's books (I can't remember which one at this precise moment). Anyway, the weekend focussed on how to implement the Situational Leadership Model 2.
Essentially, I think the big thing that I took away with me from the weekend was that there are 4 main types of leadership styles, and there is a kind of formula that can tell you which one to apply (and how) in each situation. Thus, for each person you deal with, you will have to use all 4 leadership styles at different times, depending on the task that person is engaged with. Similarly, at one point in time you will have to use all 4 leadership styles to deal with different people engaged in the same task, depending on the developmental level of each person.
I know this may seem straightforward to you, but to hear it put quite so succinctly, and to discover that there is a formula that can help you to implement it, was rather a revelation for me.
So - now what? I'm not sure. I need to think about it a bit more, and then I need to try to implement it, I think. It helps that 2 of my colleagues were on the course with me, so I have someone to wink at when I say 'S1', for example.
The purpose of this leadership model is to help turn schools into what he terms are 'high performing schools'. High Performing Schools "SCORES". That is, they Share information and communicate, experience Ongoing learning, focus Relentlessly on the kids' results, have Energising systems and structures, have a Shared vision, and I can't remember the C one... when I do I'll add it here. (Was it Collaborate??)
Two of the other highlights for me were the luxury of the place (3 course meals at all meals and a 5 course meal on Sat evening, open fireplaces in all the rooms, a 4-poster bed, grounds that were just incredible, etc) and the Throne-room. I'll post a photo when I get a chance, but try to imagine a large wooden throne placed over one of the toilets (obviously with a hole cut in it!). It was something special to behold, and (thinking as a mother) would actually have a purpose in helping kids go to the loo as they could climb up easily and could hold onto the arm rests.... ANYWAY. There was also a BEAUTIFUL sunrise on the Sat morning, which I also took a photo of and will post when I get a chance.
Essentially, I think the big thing that I took away with me from the weekend was that there are 4 main types of leadership styles, and there is a kind of formula that can tell you which one to apply (and how) in each situation. Thus, for each person you deal with, you will have to use all 4 leadership styles at different times, depending on the task that person is engaged with. Similarly, at one point in time you will have to use all 4 leadership styles to deal with different people engaged in the same task, depending on the developmental level of each person.
I know this may seem straightforward to you, but to hear it put quite so succinctly, and to discover that there is a formula that can help you to implement it, was rather a revelation for me.
So - now what? I'm not sure. I need to think about it a bit more, and then I need to try to implement it, I think. It helps that 2 of my colleagues were on the course with me, so I have someone to wink at when I say 'S1', for example.
The purpose of this leadership model is to help turn schools into what he terms are 'high performing schools'. High Performing Schools "SCORES". That is, they Share information and communicate, experience Ongoing learning, focus Relentlessly on the kids' results, have Energising systems and structures, have a Shared vision, and I can't remember the C one... when I do I'll add it here. (Was it Collaborate??)
Two of the other highlights for me were the luxury of the place (3 course meals at all meals and a 5 course meal on Sat evening, open fireplaces in all the rooms, a 4-poster bed, grounds that were just incredible, etc) and the Throne-room. I'll post a photo when I get a chance, but try to imagine a large wooden throne placed over one of the toilets (obviously with a hole cut in it!). It was something special to behold, and (thinking as a mother) would actually have a purpose in helping kids go to the loo as they could climb up easily and could hold onto the arm rests.... ANYWAY. There was also a BEAUTIFUL sunrise on the Sat morning, which I also took a photo of and will post when I get a chance.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Nathan walks?
I can't believe it's been a week since this momentous event, but it has. Just goes to show how busy I am.
Last weekend my dear son appears to have taken his first steps on his own. I'm not sure, because I wasn't present. It might have been more a case of "falling with purpose" than actual walking. However, he is now walking while only holding one of your hands (albeit still with a lot of shuffling and stumbling) and walking confidently along furniture. So, whether or not it was 'real' walking, it won't be long till he will be walking properly.
His sister was walking by 13 months, and she was 7 weeks prem, so he's got big shoes to fill if he's going to keep pace with her (he's a year in 4 weeks time - EEEK!). Then again, she was a LOT lighter than him, so it was probably a lot easier for her to get her weight airborne and mobile...
So - I'd better go and plan his birthday party now... Sheesh. Two kids to plan parties for... thank God they're 6 months apart - I don't think I'd cope otherwise.
Last weekend my dear son appears to have taken his first steps on his own. I'm not sure, because I wasn't present. It might have been more a case of "falling with purpose" than actual walking. However, he is now walking while only holding one of your hands (albeit still with a lot of shuffling and stumbling) and walking confidently along furniture. So, whether or not it was 'real' walking, it won't be long till he will be walking properly.
His sister was walking by 13 months, and she was 7 weeks prem, so he's got big shoes to fill if he's going to keep pace with her (he's a year in 4 weeks time - EEEK!). Then again, she was a LOT lighter than him, so it was probably a lot easier for her to get her weight airborne and mobile...
So - I'd better go and plan his birthday party now... Sheesh. Two kids to plan parties for... thank God they're 6 months apart - I don't think I'd cope otherwise.
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