From Holland to Holyroodhouse

What a busy time I have had over the last couple of weeks! First of all I am glad to say that my work situation has finally been sorted out, and I am very happy with it. Without naming any names, due to confidentiality, I am back to job-sharing Depute Head one day a week and the rest of the week I have been confirmed as Principal Teacher. And the best thing of all is that all of this is finally permanent! Being Depute Head as an acting post has been almost impossible without the support of another manager in the department, however I have got through due to putting in a huge amount of work. I'm proud of what I have accomplished. The new Depute Head has been transferred to us due to issues at another school, which of course I can't mention, so this new set up will hopefully suit both of us. We had a meeting before the end of term and I have a good feeling about it. So the end of a very hard school year consisted of congratulations and celebrations.

I then immediately set off on a school trip to Holland and Germany with the usual group of staff and about 70 lively pupils. We had a great time and it was lovely to be back in the pretty town of Valkenburg. Carolyn was my roomie this time, and we had some really good laughs. As is usual, a few pupils presented us with some issues to keep us busy, but nothing too bad and it was mainly a well-behaved group. By the time I got home I was sleep deprived but happy.

We travelled to Edinburgh on 3rd July for Alasdair's Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Ceremony. We were cutting it fine because the traffic in Edinburgh was very busy, but we made it in time, and joined our allocated group in the gardens of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Prince Philip duly appeared from inside the palace and walked from group to group, spending about ten minutes with each. It was strange to see him so close up after seeing him on television over the years. I was so proud of Ally; what a great achievement. Afterwards we went for lunch with Ally, Davie, Cat and her parents Gerry and Christine and had a very pleasant afternoon.