THE END OF AN ERA

I knew this would be a weird week.  It had started off well enough with the Indiana-Jones-style trip to my Niece’s son’s Christening yesterday, 17^th July 2016, which if so inclined you can read all about in my ‘Tale of Simple Country Folk and a Pair of London Townies’ on this website.

Monday morning dawned bright and early with him indoors up at 5 to get to work at the local Nick for 6.30. I had to be in school early too to fulfil one of my final duties as Governor, for many years Chair of the Governing Body, latterly Director of the recently formed 2 school FACT Academy. Today’s task was to interview and hopefully appoint an assistant Head, quite an important post in the leading Croydon school, pronounced ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Duty done, I joined the staff and pupils, which include my own 5 year old grandson Luke, for school lunch.  We are the Croydon Food Flagship school, and everything the kids are fed is freshly bought and prepared by our own excellent cooks, with fresh salad cart and fruit always available.  I would eat here every day if I could, much better grub than many restaurants I’ve been in. Of todays’ various offerings I chose a lovely chicken curry and rice, with sponge pud and custard to follow.  Yumm. But I couldn’t linger too long as I had to be at the second school in the Academy for 1.30 pm to join my other 5 year old grandson Matthew for his sponsored walk.  This had been postponed from the previous week as it had chucked it down with rain.

Still wearing my interview attire less the heels, I managed a couple of miles with him and my daughter round a baking hot field with only the odd tree and sunglasses for protection.  It had to be done as I had managed a similar feat with grandson Luke a fortnight earlier so must not be seen to discriminate.  A lolly later I was on the bus and home to put my feet up and order a takeaway yet again.

Tuesday was quiet. Just catching up with housework (whatever that means). I also had to deal with a parent from the lead school worried about his autistic/epileptic son.  Advised on that and reflected on how much things have changed in this and all schools over the 36 years I have been there as a parent, nursery teacher, 28 years a governor, and a grandparent.  When I retire at the end of this academic year, what will I do with myself? Not to mention how will I cope with the loss of status and probably self-esteem? The former question was soon answered by yet another call out from my very elderly Mother-in-law. This means a bus there and back and a lot of patience and clearing up. Talk about being brought back down to earth!

According to a Facebook quiz, Wednesday was to be my lucky day, which proved right as that evening I won a free lotto ticket (which however did not go on to win). The day was to be spent looking over papers for tomorrows Board of Directors’ meeting. My last before retiring on 31^st August, so I wanted to be well clued up. This was not to be. Another Mum in law call.  More washing.

Thursday I should have been at a meeting of the cancer charity I chair, but cancelled it to accompany a disabled friend to a Renal clinic appointment at Guy’s hospital, near London Bridge.  A fair old drive, necessitating a 6 a.m. start in order to nab one of the paltry 20 or so parking spaces at the hospital.  How on earth do the NHS expect people to come from miles around to this major London hospital at all, let alone be on time for appointments?  That’s another rant.

I arrived home in time for my Board meeting, which went as expected, with thanks etc for my service and request that I stay on as a Company Member i.e. just really AGM to think about.  Was also detailed to approach our local Councillors to provide a new member of the school Governing Body, as I am on good terms with most of them.  I felt very odd after that meeting, being the last, and not a little despondent.  As the Chair of the Board said, ‘the end of an era’. A G&T waiting at home cheered me up a bit though.

Friday 22^nd July 2016. End of Term.  The Leavers’ Assembly, which I have always attended since I became Chair, and of course when my own children/Grandchildren were leaving, has always been a very emotional occasion, both for the Year 6 leavers and their families, and for any teachers leaving too.  And on this occasion, me.  Tears shed, talks given, songs old and new sung, flowers distributed, and that was it for me and school.  Except I saw Luke again on the way out and got a lovely cuddle, reminding me I cannot sever my links completely with both schools in the Academy as I have a grandson in each, (and also one in the attached High School).

I just hope I have done something in my time to help the children in my multi-racial community, in the poorest part of Croydon, and that this school has added some joy and value to all their lives.  Looking round at the smiles and eagerness of the younger ones, and the self-confidence and tears of the Year 6’s at leaving what is now a top Croydon school,  I think I’ve probably done okay.