A week of changes...

This last week has seen two major changes in my life.

The first is a change in my work life. Our current Principal announced at the beginning of the year that he would not be renewing his contract and moving on to pastures new. This started the search for his replacement with advertisements being place in the British press and culminated in two candidates coming for interview in December.

After the interviews it was felt, that neither candidate was quite what we were looking for and so we started to think outside the box. The final upshot is that we are not filling the Principal’s vacancy and instead we are planning to run both halves of the school, primary and secondary, as more separate entities each with their own Headteacher. So from August 1st 2009 I will Headteacher of the British Overseas School (Secondary).

I am really excited about the future and also a little bit scared!! I know that the change of roles is going to involve a lot of work but I am looking forward to the challenge.

The second is a change in my family life. My sister called me yesterday to tell me that our grandmother had died suddenly a couple of hours earlier. This was a major shock for all the family as although she was in hospital, with a water infection, plans were being made for her to return home. Out of nowhere she had a major stroke and passed away a couple of hours later with my mum and uncle there with her. My other uncle arrived a few minutes later and my aunt was away in France with my cousin, though they have arrived back in Manchester this morning

I spoke to my mum later and she is coping well, though obviously in shock and taken up with all the necessary arrangements. She has told me that I shouldn’t go to the UK for the funeral and so I won’t be. This is one of the hardest things about living so far from home, but being realistic it is such a long way to go. Thankfully, I saw grandma in October when I was home for mum’s 60th birthday. Next week will be difficult though for all of us as Tuesday would have been grandma’s birthday.

In the last few minutes I have received a message from my mum to tell me that my step dad’s aunt has died this morning. Your prayers for me and the family would be gratefully appreciated…

And then there were none...

The rest of February has passed in a blur of rehearsals and other school work. This last week has be ‘Arts Week’ in the secondary school and has gone down extremely well. Monday was opening night and we were treated to ‘An Evening of Poetry, Music and Drama in English, French and Urdu’. Then on Tuesday lunchtime a Spanish café was set up on the lower patio, serving paella and tapas, prepared by Carmen our very own resident Spainard, who is also our Spanish teacher.

On Wednesday, French Cuisine was on offer in the form of croissants and freshly made crepes, whilst we were serenaded by Gallic music. Before and after the café, the dress rehearsal was happening in the Primary Hall and was enjoyed by all of the Key stage 2 pupils, except Year 6, who were in Lahore on a field trip.

Thursday and Friday saw the evening performances of ’And then there were none…’ by Dame Agatha Christie. There have been times over the last couple of weeks when I thought they would never be ready, but I have to say I am very proud of each and ever member of the cast and crew, who put in a sterling performance on each night. On Friday, they did get slightly lost in Act 1, but being the professionals that they are, and following the direction I had given, they made it through to the end of the Act and the audience were none the wiser!!

Also throughout the week an Art Gallery had been set up on the upper patio with a showcase of the students work. There was some outstanding work on display and many of the pieces I would happily display in my own home!

It fair to say that an excellent week was enjoyed by all and that nearly every student in the secondary school contributed in some way to the success.

The winter is definitely over and I have to confess in failing on one of my aims. I had intended not to turn the AC on until at least March; unfortunately, I gave in with only 2 days to go!! The humidity is rising all the time and the temperature is once more in the early 30’s, so it looks like it could be a warm summer. The prophets of doom have already started to predict long power cuts of up to 14 hours in May and June, which would mean some sweaty times ahead!!

I am now looking forward to a couple of trips and a visit. In three weeks I am taking 16 students of a geography field trip to Bahrain, we will be there to compare and contrast the development of Manama to Karachi and also to look at how the coastal environment has affected and been effected by the developments around Manama and Karachi. It has been an interesting teaching geography for the first time it has led to some fascinating discussions with the students and they have shown themselves to be very thought out on many and varied topics.

Then at the beginning of April 32 students and 4 staff are off to Istanbul for 5 nights on this years school visit. We will be looking at the sights and sounds of the city, including crossing from Europe to Asia, by crossing the River Bosphorus. Then on the way home I will be meeting up with Thomas in Istanbul airport and he will be returning with us to Karachi for a ten day visit. This means he will be here for Easter and we will be seeing the sights here in Karachi, including the beach and the country club, roll on the hoidays…