#nurture1415

I have read a few of these posts over the last few days which started to make me think about my year which has certainly been eventful professionally and personally. As per the guidelines, I will write about 5 positive things that happened this year and then 5 wishes for 2015 (if I have this wrong, apologies).

Positives in 2014

1. Coming Out of Hospital
In late January, I started to feel unwell. After visiting my GP for blood tests, I was sent straight to hospital. This led to nearly three weeks of tests and investigations including CT Scans, liver biopsy, lymph node biopsy, ultrasound as the consultants tried to decide what was wrong with me. They still don't know although one nurse suggested that I may end up in a medical textbook! The day I was told I could go home was one of profound joy and relief as it was putting a massive strain on my wife (her horse died while I was in hospital) and the ward I was on was pretty grim to say the least. I am still under investigation but I am also still here so that's good.

2. Our School Performing Well During OfSted
I am lucky enough to work with a fantastic team of people. When our school was placed into RI las February (2013), the whole team decided that we didn't want that and we worked incredibly hard on the things that mattered right up until the next inspection this June. It was great to see everyone's efforts rewarded and have our school recognised for having made such rapid progress by OfSted. HMI now send other schools to us as an example of how a school can move quickly out of RI.

3. My Son Being Allowed to Go To China with School
My son is in Year 5. He struggles with his behaviour. When we applied for him to go to China with school, I was told by the Deputy Head that his behaviour would have to improve massively if the school were going to take him. Fair enough, as far as I was concerned. To Ewan's credit, he has made a massive effort to improve his behaviour and on 16th December, the Deputy Head told me that he had improved enough to go. His behaviour is not perfect and we still have a lot of work to do to help him with it. It will be the opportunity of a lifetime for him and he is beyond excited. He goes at the end of March 2015.

4. Getting Involved With Twitter
This started properly in January after attending the Literacy Shed Conference where I first met Rob Smith , Lee Parkinson and Mat Sullivan in person. I was introduced to the power of Twitter at this conference and have not looked back. I have written a separate post about how Twitter has changed my professional life which you can read if you have time. It has been a revelation for me and I am sure it will continue to be as great resource in 2015.

5. Working With Alan Peat
I have attended some of Alan's courses throughout my teaching career and have always found his work incredibly useful. This year I have had the opportunity to work with him which has been very exciting and rewarding professionally. I have also bee luck enough to get to know him and consider him a friend.

Wishes For 2015

1. To Stay Healthy
In 2015, I intend to make some changes to my lifestyle in an effort to ensure I don't return to hospital and so that I feel healthier. I am going to start playing football again regularly (I am not very good but I love it). I am also going to explore the beautiful place in which I live more thoroughly. Finally, I want to learn to cook as this will help my wife with her work/life balance.

2. Continue to Work On Projects That Interest/Excite me
I hope to be able to continue to work with Alan on a variety of projects. Also I have a couple ideas for a book that I would like to get on with.

3. Achieve ICT Mark For Our School
Hopefully, I will be able to make some serious headway into this as I believe that the process will help our staff members become more confident in using technology to enhance learning.

4. Organise A Teachmeet 
I would like to organise a day long teachmeet where teachers can come to discuss and share ideas for delivering the new computing curriculum.

5. Learn Italian
Italian is a language I have always wanted to learn so 2015 seems as good a time as any to start now that I have a less stressful work role.

That's it from me. I hope 2015 is a happy, healthy and successful year for you too!