Tag Archive for retreat

Year 11 Retreat

25/08/2010 Joh work

Today I got to retreat from everyday school life with a great bunch of students. I loved the informal out of school chats that we enjoyed over lunch or travelling, between sessions. I got to sit in the sunshine and feel the warmth through the window melt away the coldness. The coldness however returned later in the afternoon and the fire had been neglected so the chill returned.

There were a couple of students I’d taught in year 7 on the retreat today. It really is a pleasure to work at the senior school and see the maturing of our students. I think every junior school teacher ought to experience this. It makes those trying early adolescent times worthwhile and amusing even in hindsight.

On Facebook today I’ve seen the mention of Spring. I can feel it coming too with more anticipation than I’ve felt for a long time.

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Year 12 Retreat

19/06/2010 Joh gratitude, learn, relationships, work

I haven’t been on a year 12 retreat since 1983 when I was in year 12. I didn’t have really clear memories but vaguely recall going on a really long walk, not allowing enough time to get back, so hitchhiking for the first time with around 5 other girls. An unusual man picked us up (which was to be expected in some ways), fortunately no harm occurred and we made it back on time with the leaders none the wiser. If any of our students managed such feats I am also none the wiser. I found the students to be wonderfully behaved and enjoyed their company.

We had an amazing speaker talk to the kids for a couple of hours and he was one of the best public speakers I’ve seen since I saw Anthea Paul speak. Sam Clear is a storyteller with a very inspiring tale to tell. The students were captivated. Young people today are a tough gig for a speaker. They are incredibly sophisticated critics as they receive so many messages and whilst this group has been well trained to be attentive, it’s rare for them to be so universally impressed by a presentation. I’ve been teaching many of them since they were in year 7, so I’ve heard many negative reviews over the years. That’s another subject for another day.

It was a three day break away from phones and screens for me. There were TVs but I didn’t indulge, prefering conversation, music and journalling in my free time. I did miss my phone and laptop though. I have to say I would prefer not to be without them.

Darin made me a sensational French Onion Soup and Chocolate tart to take for lunch. They were much appreciated by the teachers I had to feed. I didn’t learn how to make them as I’d hoped, it was quicker and easier for him to just do it. So I just watched while he did all the quick chopping and whisking ect. I think I would have to go into training to do these things with ease as he does. I never really appreciated the difference between a good cook and trained chef until lately. The things I’ve have seen him do in the kitchen are under the category of minor miracles for me.

Interestingly enough there was one activity on the retreat that was the same as when I went on retreat. The others were quite similar but had evolved in different ways. I still have my folder from my retreat. It’s in my box of things to pull out to make me feel good along with the lovely cards like those referred to in this awesome post I read today: Prep isn’t the time for assessment. When I say box, I mean boxes and since I have redone that activity, perhaps it’s time for a cleanout.

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Monday Holidays are good for…

14/06/2010 Joh family, gratitude, learn, relationships, work

Staying up late to watch the Grand Prix, when you can sleep in the next morning. Couldn’t quite manage the soccer, but as it turns out, just as well. I wanted Mark Webber to win too, so it was a dissappointing night for the Aussies sport wise.

After sleeping the morning away, we went for a shop and enjoyed a sausage sizzle breakfast at the local shopping centre. It was ran by one of the Neighbourhood houses and I was astonished to see the co-ordinator was still the same one as when I was a co-ordinator around 9 years ago. I love Neighbourhood houses and remember my time there with fond memories. We strolled around and didn’t buy much, some gumboots for J(8) who is going on camp this week, and a book for Darin to thank him for teaching me how to cook. He said it was completely unnecessary, but I love buying books so I didn’t listen to his protests.

So this evening we are cooking. He’s showing me how to make French Onion soup and Chocolate tart, which I want to take to retreat to reward the staff who are coming with me. I’m away for a few days this week. I haven’t been on a year 12 retreat since 1983 when I was at my own, should be interesting. I hear French Onion soup is incredibly easy to make, but still I love watching and learning how they do it in a restaurant. Under his supervision I know it will taste great and as it should, unlike some of the dishes I’ve tried to create from a recipe.

He’s just been called into work for an hour… they can’t seem to live without him, so I’m taking the break to write this. He wasn’t too happy about it I can tell you. I love hearing him express himself on the phone, he’s so clear and assertive. I learn as much from him about communicating as I do about cooking!

Interestingly when I was doing my new moon goals this weekend I reviewed some of my previous goal setting notes. I had set a goal that I wanted to learn how to cook. I didn’t really think about it again and I was kind of surprised to read it. (Says a lot about my memory) I’d done nothing concrete about it, but I realised that the perfect way of learning had materialised anyway. That’s often happened to me before and sometimes I think the goals I think the least about are the ones that come easiest.

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