Day 345 - Last day of school

The layers of the year have peeled away consistently, and we're almost at the end. The last day of school for the year ended with a very enjoyable lunch overlooking a vineyard. Catching up with staff members I barely see throughout the year, I wondered if it would be too hard to organise more frequent social functions which enabled conversations.

Day 338 - Last day

Today's photo is of Mr 16 with the obligatory signed shirt for the last day of school. As Mr 16 said, funny how it's when you leave or die that people say really nice things about you.

Day 337 - A musical evening

I know, it's a very blurry photo, but the others weren't much better. This is what you get with my camera at dusk. At least I recorded Mr 16 playing for the last time in his school's string orchestra. In fact, this is his second last day at his current school before he goes to VCASS next year. This little outdoor concert precedes the annual end-of-year middle years chapel service.

Nothing else to report. I took some photos from this position of the school surrounds, including this tree from far away, a little closer and closer still. One of the ovals is being excavated; I'm not sure what for. All the tractors and such have gone to bed. And so should I.

Day 277 - Possum trail

I've put odd tiles on the fence and they get knocked off by possums (and possibly rats) walking along the rail. I keep putting the tiles back up and sometimes they crack, which is a shame.

I've only just noticed how many tiles are broken during the holidays - I've noticed a lot of things. Areas of the house that need to be tidied, weeds, dirty windows. It's back to school for the final term of the year, and I won't be noticing any of these things once I'm back in the running routine. No time to look around, no time to notice details.

Day 257 - Duck family

Our duck couple at school have had ducklings. I've been hoping to catch a glimpse of them for a few days now. Today I rushed out with the camera after a tip-off from a colleague and followed them across the grass over the path and into the pond. Amazingly the boys stopped to let the ducks pass. Seems they have more respect for them than their teachers. We just get bowled over. Might start quacking.

Day 246 - Still smiling about yesterday

Last night my younger son competed in the school's annual soloists competition and won. It's so good to see him happy. He doesn't always see his abilities realistically, and would never have expected to win this. The competition was fantastic - a wonderful group of talented musicians. It would have been difficult to judge; Max Cooke was very positive and constructive in his feedback. I hope this experience lifts my son's confidence for his audition into VCASS next Tuesday. I also hope he doesn't catch my virus.

I borrowed the photo from Guest Photographer.

Day 215 - Chapel progress

Another lovely Winter day. Lovely if you ignore the fact that we've had so little rain all Winter. I stepped outside of the school library to take a photo of building progress. The chapel is taking shape. Funny how I love the skeleton better than the external structure. It's looking less interesting now.

Day 210 - School Gala

Well, we survived the school Gala performance. Thank goodness it's a biennial event. This year was particularly disappointing. Lots more marketing for the school, and less entertainment. Yes, there were some good moments, but if I hear the words 'leadership', 'mentor' or 'humbling' again, I think I'll scream. The word 'humble' has become misinterpreted and overused. Somehow, sports commentators are humbled when watching a game, and many other people are humbled daily. How can we all be so humble?

At least the drive into the city was enjoyable.

Day 138 - Chapel construction

I teach in a Catholic boys' school. A new chapel is in the process of being built. Today the construction site attracted interest when the crane lowered the unusual-shaped concrete (I presume) roof bits. Technical, arent I?
After a very foggy, crisp start, the day turned out to be a glorious one. I didn't mind lingering a little to soak up the sun. I wonder how long it will be before the chapel is completed.

Day 112 - Back to school

My Easter holidays were extended by two days, and I finally decided to return to school today. Back in the library, I took a photo of a couple of students using our new catalogues (OPACs). After an absurdly long wait for these to be installed after our minor refurbishment (red shelf ends and catalogue stations), we watched in horror as our maintenance men drilled holes in the most illogical places and fed wires where they should never have been. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.

Day 41 - Waiting for the bell

Nothing or not much more boring than sitting in the car, waiting to pick up your son (or daughter). Unless there's an elderly Greek man pushing your car forward twice as he tries to squeeze his car into the unreasonably sized space behind you. And there's nothing as annoying as your own reaction as you let it slide, despite the scrape, because the man looks all innocent and lost in his denial that anything has happened. Well, he has a nice face!