I spent much of this afternoon doing a credible impression of a nagging old bag in an attempt to get the kids sorted, packed and ready for the end of term. This evening, however, has sailed by in a whirl of drinks, food, speeches, presents and discussion disguised as general social chit-chat. There were numerous moments of hilarity, not least the description of this organ as the bastion of internetness and the expression on some boys' faces as I failed to become girlie-scared of a frog that they put on my shoulder.

Slightly less hilarious, though, is the fact that I leave for D of E in under 9 hours' time, and I still haven't packed. Ah. Will not be online for a few days; until Tuesday, over and out....

[P.S. Tom J - the gubbins you wanted is here]

Am slightly squinty-eyed and weary this morning, but have made it so far without serious mishap. Unfortunately, tonight sees the end-of-term dinner and party, so it's another "posh frock, late night" affair... no early night for me! Chances of a mid-afternoon snooze are looking slender too - I've still got to pack for D of E before tonight's out. Sometimes I long for a normal job!

Have laughed so much this evening my head hurts. It's been the leavers' BBQ for the House, and it's all been very cool - a few burgers, a few more beers and lots of memories, smiles and tears.

Cheers, Si, for the advice about which version of blogger to use - am off to try it now (blogging whilst drunk - dontcha love it?! At least I'm not flexing my plastic in the direction of Amazon!)

New blogger, new problems. How do I get out of the LoFi version? I can do it at work but not here at home. If only I weren't a luddite...

Things from last night that made me chortle, giggle or otherwise smirk...

* Parking a minibus (with 'Repton School' emblazened down its side) in a carpark opposite two of Birmingham's most popular gay bars.

* One of our most studious pupils saying to me, "Are you actually a proper teacher?" On replying in the affirmative, she said, "Oh well - I just wasn't sure because of the whole pints and jeans thing!" Mua-ha-ha - my disguise is working!

There were other things too, but I can't remember them. I have, however, just taught a magnificent end-of-term lesson about Critical Path Analysis (which is like glorified flow charts, for those lucky enough not to have encountered them before!). I got the kids to work in pairs to plan their preparations for a night out on the lash and to calculate at what time they should start getting ready if the taxi leaves at 8.00pm. I haven't laughed so much in ages!

Am off to be cultured this evening. Well, semi-cultured - we're taking the upper sixth to watch Miss Saigon in Brum, so am freshly scrubbed up (in a dress, no less!) and trying to look smart... have even had to abandon the beloved docs in favour of heels :-) Enjoy yourselves...

Woke this morning with a manky cold. I know exactly who's to blame. I'm sending Harry Potter style curses and jinxes in his direction as I type. Bleurgh!

Paj's brain obviously helped with the music round, as I managed to con them into a false sense of security with the first couple of tunes (they all sang along - bless!) but then I did the nasty deed and threw in some really familiar but obscure choons to catch 'em all out - Royksopp left them all going, "I know this but I don't know who it's by!" The job's a good 'un!

Am trying to write a music round for this evening's junior pub quiz, but am struggling to find music in my CD collection that they a) might have heard of, and b) won't be rude about. I therefore appreciate this, which arrived in relation to my previous post...

Here, use mine: I'm not using it! --paj

Ta muchly!

My brain cell hurts.

You can tell the deadline for reports is approaching fast because of the number of teachers gathered in/near the staff room at 9.00pm on a Monday evening, frantically trying to find the list of pupils in need of duplicate reports and chuntering that the school's database is not up-to-date. This time, however, I have spurned technology, and instead I've written my reports using my bestest handwriting, with the tip of my tongue stuck out the corner of my mouth to aid concentration. This has worked very well except now I have an aching arm and a large dent in my finger. Bah.

Someone (not sure who, but obviously someone with taste!) writes:

Yes you should be *very* sorry for that one

referring, I think, to my own inimitable style of song-writing! :-)

This morning's bloggage comes with apologies to The Mamas and The Papas:

Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday mornin', it was all I hoped it would be
On Monday mornin', kids were yawning, just like me
Thank goodness this term ends on Fri-dee!!

Burger overload. Whoops.

Have been a tad busy this weekend, both getting out-and-about and staying in. I've been doing a bit of reading - 766 pages in fact, which nicely occupied my Sunday afternoon. Off for another BBQ now.

Today's good things...
...the sun, a jacket potato with prawn mayo, canoeing with Guides, a party.

Things to look forward to this weekend...
...seeing friends, a curry, a BBQ, the arrival of the next Harry Potter book.

Sadly this weekend will also play host to report writing, which is a bit of a blow, but as I finish for the summer in 7 days' time (mua-ha-ha!!) I couldn't really care less!!

(Apologies are offered to those who do not start their holiday in the next week, but do not fret - I'm back in work in... oh... a couple of months' time! Bdoing!!)

This evening has been the usual cornucopia of events, ranging from "posh frock and champagne" to "pint in the pub", meandering via "TV with the juniors" and "reassuring a parent in teacher-on-duty-stylee": Repton in a microcosm. Had hoped to speak to a couple of people tonight, but - also typical for an evening in Repton - there just wasn't the time or opportunity. Maybe tomorrow?

Trying to get my head round that simultaneously equal ops and old fashioned sexist notion. That child should go far. - Si

Yup - he's quite typical of my pupils: vaguely aware but slightly confused! (The state of the education system today - I blame the teacher myself!)

He lives!!!

You might be somewhat pink (15th of June) - try being totally pink! Love Pinky

Welcome back, old bean!

The fun and games of exam marking continues apace, with the following classics being gently revealed to the sunlight:

"The company could then do some interviews with the people they are interested in. How beautiful these people are is very important as they have to work on flights as cabin crew."

"The gender [of the applicants] is not of big importance except for the pilot. I would recommend him to be a man because if the woman gets pregnant thousands of pounds will be lost as she gets a long holiday."

We've got a little explaining to do next lesson, methinks!