Reflections as a Global Educator
The 1984-85 Miners' strike, 4 decades on from a Billy Elliot who didn't do ballet The “Dirty Dozen” March 1985, Hills Lane Social Club, Madeley, Shropshire. The only Shropshire Coal Miners to remain on strike for the year. My father, 3rd from left. “Your father’s battles are your father’s battles. Not yours. You don’t need… Continue reading From Madeley to Moldova
I’ve noticed a lot of posts on social media from school leaders taking up new posts, first headships this autumn, all asking for what advice would experienced school leaders give to think about over the summer break. I think I am going to recommend to any school leader the need to be aware of your… Continue reading “The only journey is the one within.” Finding your best self.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” Ralph Waldo Emerson A year can feel like a long time in education. It’s hard to comprehend the sheer relief, and exhaustion, we all felt at Heritage this time last year, as we danced the hora in the May sunshine. A year, where we… Continue reading Did we just end another academic year so soon? Making moments in education.
It’s not often I get to stroll across Westminster Bridge, umbrella in hand, on the 1st March, St David’s Day and wearing a Martisor for the start of Spring. The Houses of Parliament, the river Thames, Boudica and Big Ben, all familiar and famous. Especially familiar for me on that first Wednesday morning of March… Continue reading Internationalism over isolation; how to live in an age of stupid.
“In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life; it goes on” Robert Frost I’ve decided not to go all out with New Year’s resolutions for 2023. If the 2020s has taught us anything so far, it is the sheer unpredictability of our global society and almost the fear of it… Continue reading Life; it goes on
“Remember then: there is only one time that is important – Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power.” Leo Tolstoy This year seems less about time slipping by, and for many in our corner of Europe, it’s been more about time being frozen in… Continue reading Perception; Did we know we were happy when we were happy?
Don't it always seem to goThat you don't know what you got 'til it's goneJoni Mitchell “Big Yellow Taxi” There are a few well worn phrases, overused in education that exist in all staff workrooms & faculty lounges around the world such as “don’t smile until Christmas” or “when is the vacation?”. Perhaps the most… Continue reading Defining Global Britain in the 2020s? It is already here. In praise of the British Council
The first time I returned to the UK from my first ever visit abroad as a school boy, I made sure I stood on the ferry deck, in the rain and wind from the English Channel, to get my first glimpse of the White Cliffs of Dover. A symbol of “home” for anyone who calls… Continue reading “The return of the native”; reflections of an extraordinary academic year. (with apologies to Thomas Hardy)
This week, my 2am thoughts have been replaced from the fear of the 9th May with "Hey ho, let's go" but at least it is nice for once to see social media on Moldova featuring, mostly, the success of the country getting through to the final of this weekend's Eurovision. I wonder if the UK… Continue reading Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming
“I see Earth! It is so beautiful” Yuri Gagarin. When the Puritans of England banned Christmas Day, theatre & dancing in the 1640s, a ballad appeared, half mocking, half fearful, that the World everyone once knew, was now upside down in Cromwell’s England. It’s alleged that this ballad was also played when Cornwallis surrendered to… Continue reading “The World turned upside down”
Mail from Moldova 