Quite a day! Left home early to come back to Tain. This is my primary school - Scottish local authority primary schools were all called public schools which really confuses English friends!!!
And mostly I have happy memories here. The janitor used to ring the bell in the bell tower at start of day, breaks, lunch etc and I remember lying on my bed one lunchtime reading and didn't realise the time...till I heard the bell. I ran........and got to school before he had stopped ringing it! Sometimes he did go on for a few minutes!!! and home wasn't too far away.
I felt a bit sad when I walked through the playground as it has all been fenced off with really horrid fences which do nothing for this lovely old sandstone building. And where you see the play equipment used to be a field beside the school where Queenie the horse lived. We used to feed her apples!
But the latest landmark in my education adventure is an article I wrote for Pedagoo. I follow them on twitter and sent a tweet in 2 weeks ago, which they liked and asked me to expand on.....so I did!
And today they Tweeted their followers with this! Enjoy!!
Make sure you end your week by checking out this heart-warming post on #Pedagoo by @Sallieb56http://www.pedagoo.org/2012/03/a-passion-for-writing/
That is a lovely tale of your experiences Sallie & I can see how you would get completely drawn into giving those boys a love of reading. You must get great satisfaction yourself & to think it all started at your old school !! your teachers would be proud of you !!
It really is a heart-warming story - and wonderful the way young people's lives can be turned around with the patience and dedication of a teacher. Something to remember on the frustrating days!
So moving, Sallie. I wanted to cheer as I was reading the article. I enjoyed reading Mr Morpurgo to my girls and we still talk about Kensuke's Kingdom, Alone on a Wild, Wild Sea, Private Peaceful and War Horse, all of which made me cry!
Moving and inspiring,Sarah. Such a privelage to be able to reach into another human beings heart and help them express what is there.I've always felt that, with children everywhere,its what you draw out not what you put in,that has the greatest effect on their lives.
Thanks so much for giving the link to the blog - it was so interesting and inspiring to read about your teaching of these boys! Your photo made me think that I must go back to my primary school in Yorkshire for a picture for my 365 before August when I finish.
What a wonderfully inspiring story. To have the time and the enthusiasm to share with these children must give you so much joy. Your old school looks like an inspiring place too - it must have inspired lots of people in the past - I hope a new purpose is found for it soon.
The moments in teaching which make it all worth while! Great story and nice collage. You are carrying on the tradition of those teachers who impacted you.
A lovely trip into the world of memories. A great story, and as you look back at those good old days, it does bring joy to your heart today knowing that it has all been for the good. Look where you are now, and though things have changed so much, the ability to impact is still possible, just as it was back then.
Thank you all and Judith I'm glad to say it is still a primary school, and I think all the fencing is just about the excessive measures for keeping children safe!!!