Funeral

I would just like to thank all the people, family, friends and colleagues that attended Bob's funeral. I am sure that he, like me, would have been overwhelmed by the numbers.
Thank you for making the day more bearable by your presence.

Sara

Funeral arrangements

If anyone is able to and would like to attend the funeral it will take place at Shrewsbury Crematorium on Thursday 1st November at 11:20 with a reception to follow at the Lord Hill hotel (just over a mile from crematorium).

If you are able to attend please fire me through an email jamespeakman@btinternet.com or comment on this post just so I can get a vague idea of numbers.

Thanks

James

RIP October 25th

Just a quick post for anyone who still looks at Dads blog and that I have not yet managed to contact.

Dad passed away peacefully and comfortably early this morning in Ludlow hospital with my mom at his side.

I returned home earlier this week and managed to speak with him and am now making arrangements.

Feel free to email me directly - jamespeakman@btinternet.com

Probably best not too call at the moment or if you do want to ring my mobile 07872 109 027

Teaching tales MENZIES 4

Steve was a disruptive boy but likeable. He was forever chatting in class, always involved in mischief and full of jokes. It was fashionable in those days to list the topics for the lesson on the board at the beginning. One day I wrote Ratio and Proportion - as soon as Steve came in he said "I'll ratio yow (race you) round the classroom then Sir". He always argued it was more important to know why you were doing a topic rather than just its name. He hated text book question that he felt were tedious, repetitious or very difficult - I think he was right.
At that stage I was a probationer and as such had to be observed by a LEA officer. I asked the Deputy Head what she was like, he said Twin Set and Pearls - I didn't understand until I saw her. She also had a startling mop of grey hair with a blue rinse. When I arrived she was already at the back of the room - the class entered and Steve shouted "Oh Sir has your granny come to watch?" At the end of the lesson the officer said she thought that he was a bit naughty but was unable to offer any advice. She finished by saying "Well done Mr Scott, I think you will pass your probation." Mr Scott and I both passed and were promoted to Scale 1 on the teaching rung.
Years later I met Steve at Sandwell hospital - he was a well respected member of staff running his own department!

Pastoral Care

Sara is going to type my Blog entries for now as I am having trouble with the keyboard.

I didn't understand Pastoral Care until I got to Menzies as my tutor at school merely marked the register and received abs. notes. At Menzies I was in Olympia house and the House Master and Deputy were both excellent. They both cared for the children in a way that the parents could not or would not. One day the Deputy received a not that became iconic - witnessed it's arrival. The not said dear Miss please excuse Joey for wearing his jeans - he tore his school trousers last night on his chopper. Joey was the grandson of the chairman of the governors! Over the next 4 years I heard several staff who were leaving claim to have had this letter - not true I WAS THERE!!!

Walking Stick

I now use a walking stick. I became worried because of falls, trips, problems with stairs, walking into things. I was worried that my tumour was putting pressure on my ear and effecting my balance. I now think differently. I think it is more to do with my poor aatention span and poor concentration. Now I m being more careful and trying to think ahead I am doing much better. Just need to be careful at kerbs, verges and on uneven gound. No running up and down stairs and use bnnisters. Stick is very useful in town.
I went shopping in Telford one day last week with Jamie. While he went around some clothes shops I tried the book shops. Unfortunately I could not remember where we were to meet and I got lost I was wandering with my stick looking lost and several nice shop assistants came and offered help which was nice. The mobile phone is very useful in such situations
Later in the week we were in Tesco. I was using the trolley for the shoppping and to lean on as I walked around. I managed to crash into a lady in front of me who was not well pleased. She turned on me but saw my stick and it was a 'get out of jail free card'
On Monday this week James had to go to Aberystwyth to sort out some documentation for his new course. I went with him and had a nice walk along the sea front while he was in the Admin block. It was great. The footpaths along the front are very goodand it was easy for me with my stick. There were also lots of rails and posts to hold on to. Brilliant - thank you Aberystwyth council.

My stick is an Acacea stick from Africa so I hope that whoever cut it got a fair share of the price I paid

Teaching Tales :Menzies 3

Menzies was one of those schools with several multi story teaching blocks. Maths was taught on the third floor. The block had two flights of stairs, one for girls the other for boys. I was standing at my class room dooor on dAy waiting for the class to arive. A fifth form girl walked up the stairs, she was wearing her own version of school uniform. This involved a very Short skirt and knee length leather boots. SuddEnly a lad ran up behind her, slid his hand up her thigh and under the hem of her skirt. She turned and gave him an almighty punch in the face. He fell backwards and rolled and bounced down to the first landing. I walked across. I could see no serious injury but he would have a black eye and several bruises by the next day. he jumped up and apologised. I explained that there was no point apologising to me - the girl had gone off to her lesson. This was the first time I used my procedure for such events - a procedure that has served me me well over many years. I wrote a full account of what had happened and got them both to sign and date it as a true record. I then reported everything to my auperiors in case of rpercussions. My superiors took the view that justice had been done. I suppose these days thy would both have been sent on awareness raising, anger management etc. now I havE had my fill of awareness rising and there have been times when I would have preferred punch in the face.