Yay.

We made it. Term one is done and dusted but what a term it has been!

The academic year started with the school where we moved to last September expecting a visit from Osfted – as a school that “requires improvement” already being an academy if they didn’t like what they saw we knew we were potentially facing a “chain” academy. Let’s make no bones about it – the consequences to schools of the whole process are massive. Don’t get me wrong there was no special “show” planned for their arrival the plan was to do what we already do … remember the school did amazingly well this summer and the current data is looking equally as good BUT … every week Wednesday came and went and there was an audible sigh of relief which over time became a groan as we just wanted to get it over and done with, regardless of the outcome.

Don’t get too excited …I am not going to mention what happened … I can’t. YET! You can take from that what you will, but the fact that I haven’t mentioned it before in my blog says a lot, so let me just say they have been. I will write what I can, when I can … watch this space.

Half term came and went (Hong Kong was amazing!) and with all the events that we’ve been involved in, some of which involving weekends I don’t feel like I’ve had any time off since August. So what drives me? I haven’t a clue but I know that life is too short and things could have turned out so very differently … I was given a reminder of this during the week. (Personal blogging alert!!)

I have a nephew who is the same age as me – as nippers we were really close and we even went to the same school but our paths went in drastically separate ways overs the years. Bear in mind I moved away from “the family” to go to university (the first in the family) 20 odd years ago, the perception was that I was a “goody-two shoes” (what the family didn’t know couldn’t hurt them!). Reflecting on it now if Carl was the “black sheep” I was seen as the proverbial “white sheep”. He and I have had our ups and downs and I don’t agree with the choices he has made along the way. I’ve also taken umbrage at the way these choices have affected close family members. At times I haven’t liked him. No that’s wrong … I have always loved him. I just haven’t liked his actions.

As you can imagine we grew apart. Then 3 years ago, when we were told my dad was being placed on the Liverpool Care Pathway (he had dementia!) in hospital I promised to stay with my dad until the end. Other family members came and went but every night, about midnight Carl would arrive (drunk but over the week he arrived less drunk than the evening before) and sit with me. He did this for me and for my dad (who adored Carl) and I will never ever forget that. Even at his worst my dad made sure that Carl had somewhere to call his home when everyone else had given up on him – he has a problem with addiction (there! I’ve said it … don’t be a hater!) Regardless of his life choices he was there for me right until the end and it seemed “right” that it was me, him and my dad. Since then, life has got in the way and we haven’t really been in touch.

This week I went onto facebook for the first time in “forever” and found he’d sent me a friend request and a message asking me to contact him two weeks ago! I now know that he was up in court on Wednesday and has just been sentenced for 3 years. I haven’t spoken to him but his girlfriend was in tears. It is the right thing. Carl needs time out to get healthy and to realise that he is killing himself. This sounds harsh I know. He did wrong and there has to be consequences. What I am beating myself up about is the fact that I wasn’t there when he needed me to be. There wasn’t anything I could do to help.

Knowing how differently my life could have turned out is one reason that I absolutely believe in grasping every opportunity and not wasting a moment. I know I must be a nightmare to be around … I want to do everything and find it really difficult to say no to stuff when asked. I know there has to be a work-life balance but I enjoy being busy. No, I really do. It’s my way of relaxing. This is why, on the first day of the Christmas break I find myself off to London. Jo Morgan has organised a “ChristMaths” events – there’ll be about 100 maths teachers getting involved in some CPD followed by an evening of merriment. My hubbie asked me to promise that I will not (his words!) “make a twat” of myself …. I couldn’t make any promises.