Settling into the New Term

After a lovely warm summer we all headed back to school last week and thankfully it seems to have gone smoothly. The downside is tired grumpy children as they settle back into routines but insist that times for bed are still in holiday settings! Of the joy of starving children meeting you in the playground at the end of the school day.  Fortunately after a plate of crackers and cheese and a glass of juice my little darlings are revived.  Yet the older three can almost eat a meal when they arrive home from the school bus ride and then still eat their dinner.  Honestly I am not sure where they put it all, but at least they are all very sporty and active so there are no fears of wider middles here!

Well I am almost at the end of my second week of the new academic year and boy what a difference being a second year makes.  The workload seems enormous, with plenty of extra reading to be done.  Yet the subject areas we studied as first years are now being explored in more detail and if I am honest, I am actually really excited about this.  Projects and assignments have been set and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.  Having covered the basics in year one I feel that now it's time to get serious and I have already raided the library at uni. So much to learn and do but I couldn't be happier.

I hope you have all had a good start to the new school year, with happy, if a little more hungrier, children.  That new teachers are a welcome change and that the homework schedule isn't too gruelling just yet.  

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

x

Another School Year Begins

This morning four of my children have headed back to school. Lucy has one more day, a day to enjoy some time with me as I also have a day off.  A new school year always holds so much anticipation.  Weighted down with high hopes and expectations, promise of fresh starts, new teachers and shiny new school shoes.  With my eldest starting in Year 11 today we enter the next level of schooling, GCSE's next summer, thoughts of choosing A level subjects and the task of attending sixth form open evenings.  For us this all new territory and I have to admit a little scary.  When did my little boy get so big and so close to heading out into the big wide world on his own? I want to treasure every moment even more so now, as I know very soon my nest won't be quite so full.

As well as looking at sixth form options we also have to chose and apply for Amber's high school place . She has headed off this morning as the eldest girl in her school, starting Year 6 with a mature attitude but always with a glimmer of fun in everything she does.  My beautiful fourth child will this time next year be dressed in a new uniform, entering a new school and making new friends alongside reuniting with old friends from her last primary school, having changed schools three years ago when we moved.  Again I want to press pause, just hold onto to these moments just a little bit longer.

My other three children all have exciting years ahead as well, Jack starts his GCSE years, entering Year 10, Lucy is no longer in the first year of high school and starts Year 8 and Kitty starts her last year in KS1 as she enters Year 2.  We are all excited to see what this new school year brings, many proud mummy moments I am sure.  

For everyone with children heading back to school this week I wish them luck, send virtual hugs and tissues to those with little ones starting school for the very first time.  I was devastated when one of my children headed off to school for their first time.  And for parents getting ready to deliver their children to a new city for the start of term at university, I send strength as I dread that day, when my children fly away to new beginnings without me.  Although I know they will live every moment to its fullest and when they need their washing doing will arrive home for the weekend!  

Until next time, take care.

Zoe

x

New Term, New You

The new school year has always felt full of promise for me, more so than the real new year celebrations in January. A new pencil case and shiny new school shoes were a delight when I was younger and now the promise of a new notebook is very appealing.  I am sure I am not the only one who relishes the new beginnings of September.  This time last year I was had started my journey through Clearing with my interview looming for my degree.  I can't quite believe that I am now preparing to start my second year.  Making the decision to apply for this degree was not a quick one but the whole process happened very quickly once I had applied.

I will write more about my journey to the big decision another day, but for now I just want to say, don't delay if you have made the decision to retrain. Apply through clearing now and you could be stationery shopping for a new school year too!

Until next time, take care.
Zoe
x