Crunchie
January 18, 2013
It was chilly but beautiful…a winter walk down to the farm this afternoon. We were greeted by this handsome horse, nicknamed Crunchie by the Artist which may have something to do with the chocolate bar or the snow under our feet. 
Jamie Oliver’s Dream School
February 24, 2011
Class of 2nd March 2011…an interesting bunch and I can’t help questioning the selection process for the teachers!
I shall be watching this and taking notes!
Guest Author: Rosamund Lupton
February 11, 2011
The best-selling author of Sister joined our Book Club last Monday. We were delighted to welcome Rosamund Lupton and very keen to hear all about her debut novel which took several years of research, writing and some re-writing, and plenty of determination to reach the prized 3 for 2 tables at Waterstones. Just days after Sister was published in September 2010, it was picked for Book at Bedtime on Radio 4. The book became the fastest-selling debut novel at WHSmith and was voted the best book of 2010 by Richard and Judy Book Club readers.
Hats off to Rosamund for her achievements, persisting with a story she believed in…I wonder if any of the book group feel inspired to write after hearing Rosamund’s story?!
We all agreed that Sister was a compelling story; a superb combination of great characters, complex relationships, intriguing storyline and a brilliant twist at the end…all in all a terrific read and one the group would highly recommend.
Look out for her second novel, Afterwards, to be published in June and at this same time Sister will be available in bookstores across the Atlantic. We wish Rosamund every success and look forward to welcoming her again to Book Club.
Rosamund’s recommended reading for boys and girls is Mr Stink by David Walliams…
Holocaust Memorial Day
January 27, 2011
Light the virtual candle here. Some things we wish we didn’t have to teach our children, but at the same time it would be wrong not to…
‘Let’s talk about Science’
January 27, 2011
…says The Artist at every mealtime these days! She has a new and very enthusiastic interest in planets, asteroids and meteorites. I need to refresh my memory and these sites are helping…
Bill Nye is Excecutive Director of The Planetary Society…the American professor has a long biography and his many achievements include bringing science to prime time TV in America with his show Bill Nye The Science Guy. The site is full of brilliant science info at every level…check out the one page printable experiments under ‘For Kids and Teachers’ here, we had fun with Twisting Tornado and Baseball Moon.
Science With Me believe that positive experiences with science at an early age will build scientific confidence that lasts a lifetime {‘hear, hear’ says The Headmaster!}. Science With Me is packed with loads of great resources for young children and best of all it offers bite size science for busy parents.
Meanwhile, Google are searching the world for talented young scientists…
Learning to Play
January 13, 2011
Having a super creative child, I am very conscious of the many arty and crafty opportunities The Artist will want to explore…and on occasion (when I am feeling less precious about my beloved camera) I let her have a turn. Like me The Artist loves taking photographs and quite often the results make me smile…
{actually this photo is very appropriate, check out the real thing}
Have a look at these great learning tools, they all have one brilliant thing in common; linking learning with fun…
Mr Thorne is making a name for himself within the Early Years phonics world and children get a kick out of his quirkiness too.
Bloxorz is a huge hit at the Headmaster’s House…find loads more cool maths games for all ages here.
I discovered Mathletics on a recent visit to Edge Grove School…encourage your school to join Mathletics now!
The Pattern Pod
January 9, 2011
On a recent visit to London’s Science Museum, The Artist and The Composer both really enjoyed the hands on exhibits…especially the Pattern Pod and the Launch Pad.
We probably only discovered a tiny percentage of what’s on offer at the museum, but what we did see really captured the children’s attention. Many of the exhibits were rather sophisticated for my two youngsters (and myself if I am being totally honest…it’s really rather embarrassing not being able to explain some of the children’s rather more searching science questions, especially within earshot of other parents!).
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2011
Are you ready for 2011? After all the celebrations and festivities of the past couple weeks now is the time to make plans. A favourite activity of mine is making up a new diary…filling in birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, school term dates, to do lists, and dare I say New Year’s resolutions. I plan to hit the sales this week to find a lovely new diary, then I shall spend a very happy evening filling it with plenty of important dates and tasks for 2011.
As always we intend to begin the year being frugal at the Headmaster’s House…and so I shall attempt to create a homemade year planner to help me through 2011. Wish me luck fitting 12 months and more than 30 birthdays on to an A3 sheet of paper! {more details to come once I have a finished design}
A few simple designs for 2011…
This one by Crispin Finn (design duo who produce everything in red, white and blue) is super stylish and so well designed…my choice for our 2010 planner. It hung on the study wall and was a delight to look at, so much more attractive than your typical office planner.
A good spot for freebie printables including calendars, Sheepdog Design offer this simple design for 2011.
A smart and functional design for 2011…$25 at this Etsy shop.
Big Book Club News!
December 7, 2010
Rosamund Lupton, author of the bestselling novel Sister, has very kindly accepted an invitation to join our January Book Club meeting! Sister has spent weeks in the Top Ten of the Sunday Times bestsellers list and is currently in the Number One spot on Amazon. I am more than half way through the book and it’s keeping me up way past my bedtime because it is such a good read. If you haven’t picked up a copy, I encourage you to do so!
{Rumour has it the author declined an invitation to the Cheltenham Literature Festival but was delighted to be asked to our humble book group! Gosh, I’m really very excited and so looking foward to welcoming a very special guest to our next book club get together.}
Winter Wonderland
December 3, 2010
School closed Thursday and Friday this week and the children made the most of the snowfall…it was a tough decision for the Headmaster to close school, but hopefully all families will have had the opportunity to savour special moments while all around is covered in glistening snow.
Close by is the perfect sledging hill in the most idyllic setting (reminds me of these cards)…a closely guarded secret that someone dared to share with us last year!
{That pre-season sledge purchase paid off and so did the snow shovel…I’ve never seen the Headmaster so pleased with my shopping before!} xx
The Headmaster's Wife 