Birthday propoganda & marching blues

Let's get this right - practice til we blister in the sun

Today was 'birthday day' - monthly event to celebrate the children who get a year older in September. My first time 'on show' and not at all sure what is going to be asked of me...but just sure that I was going to be asked to do something. A battery of mummy hens with camera phones & video cameras poised, and on top of that two photographers familiar for the stock shots.

Fortunately the Chief elected for Head & Shoulders - which is pretty much banned at my school as is far too passe...every child in the country already knows it. Having said that, without ever doing this song together before, we all looked pretty organised!

Learning Sports Day lines

The Chief made her speech in the hall - she's good at this, commanding authority as only matrons can! The classroom teachers officially introduced themselves (to me, in English - but also very much 'on the spot'). As the children sang the outro, Chief & co gave mums a present (identical & properly wrapped - important here!) and then explained what it was before they could rip into them - and an explanation on how to use an ornamental tissue box holder!

Mums then adjourned to their beloveds' classrooms, and partook of the celebration - a little different in each case I think, as teachers did their party piece. I saw birthday boys & girls choose an apple (picture) from the wall, which had a pair of questions for mums & tanjobi ones to answer. Nice idea - have I seen this in a game show somewhere? In the midst of organising the audience, controlling the game, managing the stage and being on best behaviour for mums, the teacher still got her bottom very accurately poked. I think the lack of reaction helps explain my predicament - mercilessly jumped at, headbutted, mauled, Chinese burned, mauled, molested, rammed...and so far nobody has suggested that this behaviour is even slightly out of order.

Party piece done, teacher's set piece speech to the newly birthdayed children - or more accurately, for the glorification of said child with mum's glowing approval & the reflected benefit of the school...oops I am thinking with PR hat on (but I know much better ways to share all of this, you know. I've got apps & LMS ideas buring a whole in my phone). Clincher is the child + teacher photo...pet of the year status on the mantelpiece.

Got to know your group - colour coding & then some!

After lunch today I got the distinct impression we were practicing making lines for that perfect home video collection next week at Sports Day...a more sinister interpretation would be a totalitarian undercurrent that often accompanies things like marching. But I am only 6 - while we were waiting I nevertheless did not enjoy the shirt-lifting which I could not prevent. Maybe this is how judo got invented?

Certainly today was the battle of Grazed Knee, Rolling in the Gravel, and growly whistle blowing. Being seen to have fun on the big day is taking all our time to prep every aspect...so what about the 'sport'! Left right, left right....