What a glorious first week back at school we have had. I still can't decide what to wear because one morning I was scraping ice off my windscreen and the next day I had flung off my tights. At least each day brings something new and exciting, even at my ripe old age.

Easter has come and gone even though there is still a little bit of chocolate left in the shops. It is 'right annoying' when everything is half price or even 60% off after events isn't it! Still, I am sure there will be something in the shops soon for the next exciting calendar event. Actually, in my household, lettuce is the next big thing because we seem to have salad and something at every meal from now until September. Saves on washing up and easy to prepare. Long live lettuce.

Sporty times are upon us with tennis, hockey and swimming being on the menu. We also have new playground markings which should encourage the children to be even more active. Everyone has fun with no pressure whatsoever. So different from when I was at school when the PE teachers, especially at secondary school, were quite vicious. Thankfully, I was good at sport even though I don't look the picture of health and fitness now, but the poor souls who really had no co-ordination at all were shouted at and called pathetic! We used to do cross-country through Astley Park in Chorley and some of the less sporty girls would hide behind trees shivering, sometimes even having a cheeky smoke. The PE teachers never came with us.  We were just sent into the wilds by ourselves. We all lived to tell the tale and some people would call it character building! 

This is also the time of year when children start to think about moving on or up because school places were announced this week. Lots of excited parents are bringing in their paperwork ready to join Tavistock and our Year 2 children are all very excited about the juniors. I remember being really anxious and crying when Eleanor went to Junior school as we weren't allowed in. She was absolutely fine. There were some ups and downs. She had disagreements with friends and someone stole her Tamagotchi, but she made it through.

Some children, and adults, are more anxious than others but as I have said before, we all need to be resilient and resilience is one of the most important things we can encourage in our children. We all have to be resilient if someone says no we can't have or do something or behaves in a way we don't like. We love and treasure our children but they do need to learn how to cope with more difficult situations because that is just what life is like. I am proud of the children in school who help each other during tough times. I am also proud of the children who own up and say 'Yes, I didn't make the best choice and I am sorry' rather than trying to blame someone else. 

Right, I must get changed for after-school football now. Have a marvellous weekend.

All in all, it hasn't been an unlucky day in school and I hope you have been lucky too. I am actually not superstitious at all but it is nice to join in with the ooh, it's Friday 13th!

TAFF were in the building selling gifts for Mother's Day and as always the whole process was like a well-oiled spring. I won't spoil the surprise but if you are lucky enough to receive a gift you will be delighted. I was actually chatting to a few mums this morning and we were saying that a day without children on Mother's Day would be the best present ever! One lovely mum said she is woken up even earlier on Mother's Day than on a usual Sunday. Oh, how we laughed and dreamt of a leisurely shower or bath, an hour being able to read a magazine or just gaze into space, being able to visit the smallest room in the house without someone banging on the door, the list went on. Of course, we all love our children dearly and we will have a marvellous day.

We are racing to Easter and I have got out my egg, sheep and rabbit paraphernalia for the children to play with when they visit the office. I think that teachers sometimes wonder why it is taking the register monitors so long to get back; little do they know that they are having a lovely time at my small world table. The children absolutely loved it when I put a little cooker there, plates, cutlery, play food and good table manners cards. Even some of the year 2 children got stuck in, which reminded me of how important play is AND especially play that doesn't require batteries or electricity. Another favourite is anything that has stones, sticks and other natural bits and bobs. Hours of fun.

Right. The after-school football club actually managed to get outside tonight and will soon be coming in no doubt covered in mud having had a brilliant time. I will be going home soon after they have been collected and I am really hoping Mr O might suggest a takeaway tonight as an end of the week treat. We haven't quite got to the time when I present 'something' and salad every night, but it feels not quite right presenting 'winter' food. What a dilemma.

Have a marvellous weekend and be kind to your own mum and to yourself if you are a mum. 

I don't usually write my blog on Wednesday, but actually I haven't written a blog for a few weeks. One excuse is that it has been half-term and the other excuse is I was really poorly at school on the Wednesday before half-term and consequently spent the rest of the week in my bathroom rather than at school. I'd like to think I am a bit more slender, but I am not sure! 

It is so lovely to finally be having dry playtimes rather than cooping the children up all day and long may the drier weather last. A number of children have been coming to school clutching daffodils this week and I am not one to accuse but I have asked where they have picked them from! Thankfully, no-one said they had picked them from a neighbours garden, so all is well with the world. I think I would have a breakdown if I started to get complaints about daffodils as well as parking.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you into school to look at your children's books on Monday and Tuesday next week because I know the children are always so proud to show off their progress. Each child is an individual and progress is different for each child. Your child is special AND they have made such huge strides in so many aspects of their little lives, not just academically, so don't forget if you happen to glance over at another child's book, they will not be the same. Be proud of your little person because they are wonderful.

Right, I have a governor's meeting tonight so I am going to be heading home to cook a home-cooked meal and then prepare myself to deliver my monthly HT's report. Have a marvellous evening and do make the most of the lighter nights.

There are two reasons to celebrate tonight one because it is pay day for those of us in education and two it's Movie Night for two whole hours. Where else could you get two hours of childcare for £5 on a Friday evening? You really must join me in thanking TAFF because it is no mean feat entertaining almost the whole school for two hours. They will definitely deserve the opportunity to lie in a darkened room when they get home. Thank you to you as well for parting with your hard earned money to support TAFF because the extras that are provided for school would not be possible without them.

All the volunteers who give up their time are simply amazing and if you ever want to join please do get in touch. You don't have to come to everything but the more hands we have on deck the better. Just think you too could help to entertain a whole school for two hours on a Friday evening!

I have had a really busy week in my office this week and it is funny how days can be so different. Pre-Covid I used to have weeks where I was out of school a lot but we now have Teams which is helping with the wear and tear on my old car. It also really saves so much time and the lovely ladies in the office can bring me a cup of tea and a biscuit. I know it is nice to meet people in real life and network but to be honest I feel a bit long in the tooth to keep networking now. I keep up to date with what is going on in the wide and varied world of education and I have my group of HTs I know I can turn too if need be. 

Right I am needed back in the hall. I will see you all later when you come to collect your little ones. Have a marvellous weekend.

I am not going to write a long blog this week because I am rather tired and sense I would drivel on even more than I normally do.

Thank you to absolutely everyone who made our Christmas performances so special. They take a lot of work, but are worth it just to see the joy on the children's faces. Some children do get a little bit overwhelmed but they have been part of all the rehearsals and worked as a team with the rest of the class so all is always well.

It also took a team in our kitchen and the Stir ladies led by Mrs Chalcraft cooked a marvellous feast. Children who normally don't have a lunch or weep at the sight of a potato tucked in with gusto and we had many more clean plates than usual. I will be mentioning that the potatoes for the Christmas lunch are the same potatoes on our lovely roast gammon day. 

Right have a marvellous weekend and see you next week for the last week.

Oh yes it is December! November is behind you! Christmas has well and truly come to Tavistock and the Elf on the Shelf is making all the children scream 'there he is' very loudly. I'm not sure if my nerves will be able to cope with this for 2 more weeks and he may have to go to Lapland UK or the slightly longer journey to the North Pole. We will see what Monday brings and I will let you know next Friday.

I am very excited for Christmas this year as my little grandson Fred will be with me for quite a bit of Christmas. He is even coming to stay for a few days next week because my birthday is the same day as Donny Osmond. Donny and I usually meet up midway between Utah and Fleet but this year I told him we will just have to FaceTime because I want to be with Fred. Fred's mummy and daddy are staying until Sunday, then his mummy, my baby, will stay with her baby until Wednesday. I don't think she will mind me posting this gorgeous picture. Proud grandma am I.

I had an interesting conversation with a little chap at lunchtime today and he whispered loudly that his big brother said that the role of shepherd was the worst role in a Christmas play. It is quite common for older siblings to pass on words of wisdom isn't it and sometimes naughty words that once they have been heard can't be unheard! Of course, I said that all the roles were important because they are, and everyone is needed to work together to put on a show.  It is wonderful to have a starring role in things, but without the rest of the cast behind you, you wouldn't shine so bright. I was really proud when Eleanor was Mary at pre-school which is often considered to be a starring role, but I was equally proud when she didn't have a main role. Your children will all be amazing in their plays and the singing sounds beautiful. Bring tissues so you can dab your watery eyes.

TAFF are busy in the hall setting up tomorrow's event and football has almost finished so I am going to pop to the supermarket on my way home to get the weekend feast in. Whatever you do, have a marvellous weekend and if you'd like your Elf go on a journey with mine just let me know.

We have really enjoyed the cold snap at Tavistock this week because it makes our grounds look so beautiful. Children enjoyed collecting frosty leaves and bringing pieces of ice to school which they found on their morning walks. I have enjoyed de-icing both the inside and outside of my car in the mornings! My lovely car is rather old but still gets me from A to B so whilst a newer one might have better heating, I won't be changing it any time soon. There's nothing wrong with golden oldies after all.

I am off to see my daughter and little grandson this weekend. I am very excited and have my bag packed ready to go. My trusty steed is topped up with juice and its hooves have been checked. It is hard to believe that he is now 8 weeks old and my baby has been a mummy for 8 weeks. Some of the days have flown by for her and some days have felt a little longer especially when Fred decided to test her parenting abilities. He is growing, smiling and clean, so I reckon she is doing an amazing job and he is a very lucky boy to have her as his mummy. It is such a rewarding job being a parent, but it sure can be tough at times can't it. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone and I will see you on Monday which will be our last Monday in November. It would be predictable to say where has this year gone...