We’re all looking forward to breaking up next Friday and going our separate ways on holiday.
But none of us is looking forward to saying goodbye to Chris Bartram.
Chris is about to embark on a richly deserved and, I hope, happy new phase in her life. And in doing so she’ll be able to reflect on a career spent mainly at Moorside in the certain knowledge that no one has contributed more to the lives of the young people of Consett than she.
In her time Chris has graduated through teaching PE and then leading the subject to being head of year, teacher of Health and Social Care, staff governor and, in the past few years, to assistant headteacher.
I’ve worked most closely with Chris in that last stage. I was very glad that she stepped forward to take charge of learning support and inclusion. I already know about her highly developed organisational talents, and, even more importantly, her deep compassion for young people in need. And hers is a massive job, not just because of the huge range of responsibilities but also because of the critical issues involved.
Just in case you didn’t know, Chris is in charge of all aspects of special needs, child protection, vulnerable groups, behaviour and rewards. They’re all connected so it works fine if you have one person at the helm who is first class at multi tasking and decision making.
And that’s Chris.
There have been many occasions when Chris has had to deal with heart breaking and difficult issues and she has always done so calmly and rationally with the best interests of the young person at heart. Not only that but she has provided wise advice and support to staff and parents and has stood by me at times of great adversity.
Talking Head
Sunday 18 July 2010
Friday 9 July 2010
Glastonbury Day
There was so much interest in my last blog (the one on video) that I decided to leave it up for longer than usual. Thanks to everyone who responded and can I also reassure you that Moorside science does not always involve setting fire to people.
Anyway, the gap has left, me with a dilemma. So much has happened in the last two weeks that I’m spoilt for choice of subject matter.
For example, I could write about the year 11 prom.
Some are saying that it was our best ever and it certainly was a very happy event, brilliantly organised by Chris Bartram. Chris leaves Moorside at the end of this term so I’ll be writing much more about her before then.
I must also mention Abby.
I thought that no one would top Hannah Murray’s entrance last year in a ribbon festooned tractor, but I hadn’t bargained for Abby Heighway. She took the place by storm by arriving with horn blaring in a massive cement mixer. So what will happen next year? No one’s arrived by parachute yet, but there’s always a first time.
So all this brings me to my topic for this week – Glastonbury Day.
The theme of this Student Council non-uniform day was to come to school dressed as if you were going to the Glastonbury Festival which happened to kick off on the same day..
The Student Council chose Wateraid as their adopted charity for the event. Wateraid is dedicated to providing clean water for poor people in developing countries and is one of the main charities supported by the actual festival.
I'm proud to tell you that we exceeded our target of raising £1000. What’s more, we’ve done our sums and worked out that about 80 children’s lives could be saved by raising this amount.
Not only that, but students and staff had a fantastic day as you can see elsewhere on our website.
But, just for the record, this is what happened.
We ran music workshops and taught special lessons on the ethical use of water. We even set up a festival village on the playing field with stalls selling jewellery and food produced in Design Technology, flags made in Art, zorb balls and a climbing wall hosted by the YMCA, a barbecue and an outdoor stage for three bands to perform.
But that still doesn’t tell the whole story.
Student Council joined forces with a brilliant staff team determined to bring a real taste of the festival experience to Moorside. After all, Glastonbury is now a major part of the British calendar , like Wimbledon and the proms, so we enriched students’ cultural understanding.
Pupils also contributed to the community. There was a real sense of closeness on the day (and behaviour was brilliant) and by raising money for the developing world students showed a strong desire to play a part in the wider community at a global level. They also developed their work place and enterprise skills by making and selling products to sell. And they learnt about healthy choices by learning about the health giving properties of water and joining in with the YMCA activities.
But most of all they can all feel a sense of achievement for making a difference to other people’s lives...and enjoying a great time in the process.
Anyway, the gap has left, me with a dilemma. So much has happened in the last two weeks that I’m spoilt for choice of subject matter.
For example, I could write about the year 11 prom.
Some are saying that it was our best ever and it certainly was a very happy event, brilliantly organised by Chris Bartram. Chris leaves Moorside at the end of this term so I’ll be writing much more about her before then.
I thought that no one would top Hannah Murray’s entrance last year in a ribbon festooned tractor, but I hadn’t bargained for Abby Heighway. She took the place by storm by arriving with horn blaring in a massive cement mixer. So what will happen next year? No one’s arrived by parachute yet, but there’s always a first time.
So all this brings me to my topic for this week – Glastonbury Day.
The theme of this Student Council non-uniform day was to come to school dressed as if you were going to the Glastonbury Festival which happened to kick off on the same day..
The Student Council chose Wateraid as their adopted charity for the event. Wateraid is dedicated to providing clean water for poor people in developing countries and is one of the main charities supported by the actual festival.
I'm proud to tell you that we exceeded our target of raising £1000. What’s more, we’ve done our sums and worked out that about 80 children’s lives could be saved by raising this amount.
Not only that, but students and staff had a fantastic day as you can see elsewhere on our website.
But, just for the record, this is what happened.
We ran music workshops and taught special lessons on the ethical use of water. We even set up a festival village on the playing field with stalls selling jewellery and food produced in Design Technology, flags made in Art, zorb balls and a climbing wall hosted by the YMCA, a barbecue and an outdoor stage for three bands to perform.
But that still doesn’t tell the whole story.
Student Council joined forces with a brilliant staff team determined to bring a real taste of the festival experience to Moorside. After all, Glastonbury is now a major part of the British calendar , like Wimbledon and the proms, so we enriched students’ cultural understanding.
Pupils also contributed to the community. There was a real sense of closeness on the day (and behaviour was brilliant) and by raising money for the developing world students showed a strong desire to play a part in the wider community at a global level. They also developed their work place and enterprise skills by making and selling products to sell. And they learnt about healthy choices by learning about the health giving properties of water and joining in with the YMCA activities.
But most of all they can all feel a sense of achievement for making a difference to other people’s lives...and enjoying a great time in the process.
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