The plane I went up in during October half-term. So cool.

The Christmas Letter 2021

Hey there,

I’m cutting it close this year but like most other things, I think we can let it slide. I know I said that this year would be more interesting and hopefully I would have something more interesting to write about, but… no. I also know that you come here for my dry wit and sarcasm that translates so well into the written word, but I worry that I might be lacking somewhat this year. I’m just not feeling it, ya know? One thing I should note is that I still haven’t had Covid — don’t know how, but I test regularly and I’ve still not had it. No, I don’t get it either (if you pardon the pun).

Well done to you for making it through the year, it’s been a real slog so that in itself is worth celebrating.

Love a cathedral — these ones can be found in Salisbury (extra points for knowing how high the spire is) and Exeter.

Now, if you’re quite done, I will take you for a meandering journey through my really quite uneventful year.

I’m an uncle! This is Tilly, my brother’s pride and joy, and doesn’t she know it.

New Year’s Eve 2020/21 was so uneventful, I can’t even remember what I did: not much I would assume as Lockdown 3.0 was just around the corner. In January, we returned to school for a whole day, just for Boris to shut us again. That meant we were back in bubbles and online learning was the reality for most of the class. It was tough, and frustrating, but it meant that I could run a class-wide Taskmaster championship, which brought so much joy. You don’t realise that all you needed to see one day was a child squeezing themselves into a kitchen drawer to read a book until it happens. Other highlights included children in fridges, juicing watermelons and pineapples, and buttering bread without cutlery.

Various displays and art/DT projects from my old class. I was so proud of them, especially in our WW2 topic with their model Spitfires (which had functional electric propellers) and rag-bag toy whales to learn about rationing.

When we were back in school, it was pretty much back to the ‘new normal’ that we had had since September, though another highlight was putting on an outdoor production of the Jungle Book which was the only way we could keep the classes separate and in their bubbles. There were some great tunes, but most importantly, I’ve added face-painting to my very particular set of skills. I must stress that it is extremely mediocre face-painting, but you could tell my class were wolves, so that’s something.

End of year messages and gifts from my old class. It’s a good job I know that Johnny H is going to be a comedian/performer later in life.

September brought back lots of things from the old normal, but what did change was my class. I moved to Class 2, teaching Year 1s and 2s (age 5–7) and I am loving it! Key Stage 1 children have very little filter and they say what they think, which often results in some golden one-liners that I should really be writing down. In many ways, school went back to the way it was pre-Covid — break times are now spent together, we have whole school assemblies, children eat lunch together and so much more. I have remembered why I love my school so much and the sense of community is so strong. My colleagues are, and have always been, so supportive and we are such a strong team; I couldn’t feel more lucky or grateful. All that being said, with cases rising again, who knows what the situation will be in the New Year.

Over the year I have gotten more involved with the Scouts, to the extent where I am now the co-leader of the troop. Not gonna lie, it’s not ideal because it takes up a lot of my brain power, though I have enjoyed meeting so many new people in just this short amount of time. It can’t be long term, but the Scouts are all a really good bunch, so it’s just about worth it. In other news, if people in the Wantage area are looking for something to fill their Wednesday nights and occasional weekends, have you considered volunteering with the Scouts?

Scouting has its advantages…

Hmm, what else…? I’ve not travelled huge distances and needless to say that is my biggest disappointment of the year. Though I have tried to fill my time with other things which are as follows:

• Raresh, a friend and a pilot, took me for a little fly around South Oxfordshire which was so cool.
• My holiday was a long weekend up in Derby and Nottingham — some alone time was needed and I came back slightly less stressed.
• I went to see Six (a musical) in Oxford, and guys, that and Come From Away have been my soundtracks of the year.
• Lots of trips to the pub.
• A trip with mum back down to Exeter — Old Firehouse pizza still lives up to the hype.
• In September I had 3 Scout camps in 4 weekends, which was hectic, but fun.
• Lots of playing The Sims and Cities: Skylines.

We saved a squirrel from a tube — it was high drama at the time and Wantage from the air.

If I’m being honest, it’s been a struggle to write even this much. I cannot stress enough how boring and long much of this year has felt. As always, thank you for reading. Thank you for your friendship, no matter how far away you are, or if it’s been years since we talked, I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Hopefully next year will be a bit more interesting, or at least a little funnier. Stick around for my favourites and one of the best quotes that I have up in my classroom — I have always been quite blunt, and I think this quote really proves this.

On my way back from Derby, I made a small detour to Tim Hortons. The Canadian in me was screaming (in a hushed and polite way of course). And same, my child. One the many gems that I get every day with younger children.

Favourite film(s): Eternals, Don’t Look Up, CODA, Luca, Shang-Chi and The Mitchells vs The Machines. On the older side The Mighty Ducks still makes me so happy.

Favourite TV show: WandaVision, Taskmaster and Ted Lasso (I have to stop here, otherwise it will go on forever)

Favourite Book: The Lion above the Door by Onjali Q Raúf and The Storm Keeper trilogy by Catherine Doyle

Favourite Colour: #bleedgreen

Favourite Album: As I said above, most played is the Come From Away soundtrack.

Favourite chocolate: I got a lot of Ferrero Rocher from my class for Christmas, and good lord, they’re so good.

Favourite pattern: Whilst I love the stripes, I love the check/plaid (we know this) also really getting into the geometric/aztec-inspired patterns.

This is the dream.

“Nothing will work unless you do.” Maya Angelou