Last school day of 2011

And so we get to the very last day of the school year.  In one way I'm happy because I find this time of the year things just become so busy and with the last day of school it means things will start slowing down (I hope) and I can catch my breath and reflect a bit on what's happened this year. But wait, I am not ready to do a whole reflection post (come back another time for that one).

But while I'm happy the last day of school arrived for the above reason, am also rather sad to be honest.  Bianca had a fantastic school year this year in Year 3.  And I know it is all thanks to the amazing teacher she had. I wasn't quite ready for her to be done with this school year!

Bianca absolutely loved Paul Forster's teaching style.  He had a way to bring out the best in Bianca.  And to be honest, I've never seen a teacher showing as much passion as he did for his teaching and for the kids that he was responsible for.  One of Bianca's favourite things of all time was glossary.  Suddenly this year she started thinking of different words to use and she would even insist we use them too.  And she's especially proud that she's learned to spell words like "inexplicabilities" and "circumstantialities" (and yes, Bianca is 8!!!). 

Something that I will never forget was when Paul told me at the start of the year he is committed to ensure each child will have fun in his class and be sufficiently challenged.  And I thought to myself that I've never actually met another teacher who said this.  I was really really impressed!  Here was a teacher who wanted to make sure every single child in his class had opportunities to grow and to learn.

And every afternoon as I sat there waiting for Bianca I could just see how much the kids loved Paul.  How excited they would get when he would bring out his guitar and they would sing together.

We were incredibly blessed that Bianca had a chance to be in Paul's class!  I have my fingers very tightly crossed that in 2014 Caitlyn too will have the chance to be in Paul's class!!!

Paul, thank you so very much for everything you did for Bianca.  You were (and are) an amazing teacher!  Bianca always tells me that you are the very best.  She wanted to give you something really special.  Something well deserved!  I hope you liked it :-)

And finally am able to share this poem from me to you:

For a year you were the world
To the children in your care
With the excitement that you showed
And the passion that you shared

You taught them the wonders of glossary
And showed them math was fun
You encouraged them to sing and dance
When the day was done

You found a special way to teach
You always did believe
That each child had just what it takes
That they all should achieve

They might not be good at everything
But all children deserved the chance
To keep moving forward
Without a single backward glance

You gave the children your everything
You should feel incredibly proud
I often heard how much it meant
As they shared it out aloud

Never again will they have
The year they had with you
From the very bottom of my heart
Thank you for everything you do!

Two monthly hospital visit and school updates

Bianca had a hospital visit today.  She goes every 2nd month and we do bloods and the doctor gets to see her and make sure that we are still on track.  Bianca's counts were all good, Doctor is very happy with her and even her weight and height are on track.  She didn't get to go to school today because by the time we got back from the city, her school closed for the day.  They closed earlier than usual because of parent-teacher meetings.

I actually had an informal chat with Bianca's teacher about a week ago, but tonight was a "formal" opportunity.  Only 10 minutes to share our expectations because they have not yet had a chance to test the kids.  Both Terence and I are so impressed with this teacher and we feel absolutely confident that Bianca is in for a great year!  He feels confident she will be one of the high achievers in his class and has already told us that he is very committed to making sure 2011 will be a fun and challenging year for Bianca's class. 

Bianca also started with One Day School yesterday and she had a very exciting day!  They discussed famous people and challenges and Bianca "invented" a drink bottle that "holds" the straw for you.  She also drew a design for an automated plant feeder and the teacher was very impressed with her idea and demonstrating the process. 

I'm so very proud of Bianca!

New year

Wow, I can't believe it has been such a long time since I blogged.  Where did the time go?  Oh wait - that's right, things here have been busy, busy, busy - I'm busy planning Caitlyn's birthday party, I had to play Terence's birthday party, Bianca started school again for the year and I've been job hunting)... But anyway...

On Tuesday Bianca started again with school.  Our schools close late in December and only start again at the start of February.  This year Bianca is in Year 3.  She was so excited and could hardly wait to start.  She likes her new teacher and I think Mr Forster will be a great teacher for her.  Bianca being gifted in some areas needs some challenges and when I had an informal chat with him now in the week, I feel confident he is the perfect teacher for her.  He seems very committed to making sure that this year will be fun for the kids, but will also offer lots of challenges for them.  Bianca is also starting her One Day School again from this coming Wednesday where she'll attend this gifted class once a week at another school.

The last 2 and a half years the kids were placed in groups around a round table, but this year Bianca is excited that she will have her very own desk.  And what's more, that it has a lid she can lift up and put all her stationery and books inside her desk.  The kids are still sitting close to each other, but they will have their own space really.

So here is to another school year.  Bianca, we know you will do just great and will make us soooo proud!