Our Y6s are currently undergoing mock SATs. They are the last cohort to be doing SATs as we know them in May. Or are they? Opinion is split. Fans (lol!) of the new Natiknal Curriculum will know that we are moving away from levels and moving rapidly towards "End of year expectation". It will be awesome (cue "Everything is Awesome" in stereo). Won't it? Today's question: where do you stand on the formal testing of children?
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It is rare to watch a program on the television that I find interesting and stimulating, whilst being chilling and hugely watchable. Last night I watched "Cyber bully" on Channel 4 (it was on last week and I caught up). If you have to teach about Internet Sagety then watch it. If you've ever been trolled then you should watch it. If you've ever been mean to someone online then you should watch it. The lead's (won't spoil it by saying too much) performance was superb. I was moved enough to blog about the experience and encourage my one reader to watch it for themselves. Today's question: can anyone please tell me how I can change either the font or background so people can read my blog!?!? Having hit the gym last week for the first time in forever, I had the chance for another run at it today. I used the resistance machines and all was well... Until earlier this afternoon when the pain in my lower back started. And continues now. Today's question: why does it always seem that one is healthier when one doesn't do exercise? Today's question: how, with so many channels available on Sky, can there be nothing original on TV that I want to watch? (Thank goodness for books!) Before my knee gave up the ghost, I used to go out jogging. Running would be pushing it. Jogging / walking would be more accurate. I miss it. I miss the selfish "me time". I also miss listening to Podcasts. I have tried the "ZombieRun" app. And listening to music through the excellent "Alan Partridge" app. But for me, I like a Podcast. Actually, I like a load of them. Here are five you may like - or you may not. In no particular order... Friday Night Comedy - either "The Now Show" or Sandy's quiz. Half an hour of topical comedy. Good Job Brain - a group of American quiz buffs who ask each other questions on a theme or, every five episodes, An all quiz bonanza. My favourite character is Elvis. (Although, he is not on a par with Steve Wright's "Ask Elvis". Uh huh.) The Bugle - Andy Z and John Oliver poke irreverent fun at the news across both America and the UK. Long running and properly funny at times. Andy's "pun runs" will either leave you rolling is in the aisles or running for the hills. Star Talk Radio - my "in" to astro physics with an American astro-physicist and a comedian. Hmm... Sounds a bit like... The Infinite Monkey Cage - Robin Ince and Prof Brian Cox. Funny. Intelligent. Accessible. If I could make my kids listen to it, I would! Today's question: what can YOU recommend for me to listen to? I don't get it. I really don't. This near-obsession with taking a photo of yourself and posting it online. If you want a pic, ask someone else to take it for you! And, for goodness sake, don't get a selfie stick! And worse than a selfie? One where you've been photo bombed! Today's question: why would one post a selfie - or a picture - where some cretin has photo bombed it? No clever pun. No film review. Just a reflection in this blog. I took 8 children to a swimming gala today and watched them swim their (literal) socks off. I was fiercely proud of how they did. Overall, our girls came 2nd and our boys 5th. As a school, we came 3rd out of 13. Last year we won, but we had our secret weapon Laura! I'd say this year's cohort were less experienced, slightly less killed but their hearts and effort equalled last year's squad. I am happy to take 3rd - and to have lost my voice - for how well they each performed. Today's question: has anyone made you feel proud today? Friends of mine are getting married next year, and already they are deep into their planning. Venue? Check! Vicar? Check! Gift list? Check! Hen and Stag do? Check! This is today's rant. Stags and Hen do. When they coincide on the same day, it buggers things up for those of us with children - chance are, one of us can't go. And they are growing in cost and ridiculousness! Gone are the days of a quick bunh of drinks! Now it's going to Amsterdam or a West End show and high tea in a posh hotel. Or skydiving (Barry, for your stag, I'm up for skydiving or wing walking!). It's lovely to help people celebrate their upcoming ordeal, I mean marriage. But please spare a thought for the cost to us all. Today's question: how can you get out of a stag / hen do without offending the bride or groom? So yesterday I hit the gym for the first time since August. I have been plagued with injury and it's no over yet. However, my physio has advised me to do some exercise and use the gym. I am aching today, but it feels good. Sore, but in a good "it's because I pushed it" sort of way. The plus side is that I survived. The down sides is that I have to try and fit some in to a busy life (I still have 30 books to mark before bed tonight) and the fact the weight has piled on since I but my knee and had stopped regular exercise. I weigh the most I ever have and the biggest shock yesterday was standing on the scales. Whoa! I'm not brave enough to say what I weigh, but I'm looking to lose two stone, exercise regularly and get back in to some of my clothes! Today's question: who's with me on a similar quest? At the risk of my (unread) blog turning into a film review blog, I feel compelled to talk about another. Last night I watched "Non Stop" featuring the talented Liam Neeson and Julianne Moore. The premis is simple; an Air Marshall on a flight is contacted to say that he has to transfer $150 million or a passenger will die every twenty minutes. Again, an interesting idea, but apart from a couple of nice touches (such as the way the passengers are filmed they all look dodgy and some fun with gravity - or rather lack of it during the flight) it was not a very good film. It lacked originality and the "wow" factor. My wife walked out before an hour was up and refused to watch the end. I persevered, but then having sat through countless class assemblies and school performances, I've had training in enduring the unendurable. Today's question: can someone please offer Mr Neeson a better role (not Taken 4!) to get his teeth into? |