14th October 2007

Undoubtedly, the week’s crowning glory was England beating France at rugby (those ever-dubious Gauls) in France, in the World Cup semi-finals. Even the England football team joined in the fun, dispatching Estonia 3–0. A rare week where both rugby and football got it right. Someone crack open the champagne!

It was also a decent week for me at school. The postal strike meant no post, no bills, no junk, and, miraculously, a noticeable dip in email traffic too (surely more than a coincidence?). Perhaps Royal Mail also delivers our spam?

We held interviews for the new Headteacher this week. The Governors, in their infinite wisdom, appointed a chap who’s been on Teachers’ TV. Fame and misfortune wait; he starts in January, and I wish him luck (he’ll need it). On Friday, I heroically cleared three carrier bags of dog muck from the school field. A fragrant parting gift he can look forward to inheriting.

In a moment of uncharacteristic generosity, the Governors decided that, since I’ve sorted out the many open ends left by my predecessor, I should remain on the Headteacher’s salary until I retire. Wonders never cease! Turns out the Tooth Fairy does exist, and she works in HR.

Sarah had a swimming gala in Peterborough over the weekend and a sleepover at a friend’s house on Friday night. At school, in a Domestic Science lesson, she whipped up a batch of tomato soup, earning herself an A+. I sampled some and can confirm it was a solid A++++ effort. Heinz should be worried.

Unsurprisingly, Jamie has a new girlfriend. She seems a bit too poised and polished for him, good-looking, certainly, and disconcertingly mature. Which, of course, probably means it won’t last. He was in London midweek, working at a fashion show with his boss, creating and setting up the displays. They stayed in a Thistle hotel near City Airport. Despite Jamie being teetotal (so he says), they somehow managed to power through most of a £3,000 entertainment budget. I suspect room service has never had it so good.

Back home, after purchasing a mini-motorbike, he’s been zipping around the patio on most evenings, with the new girlfriend watching. Judging by her expression, I don’t think she’s particularly dazzled.

Charlotte says she’s well, though she’s developed the peculiar habit of slathering herself in olive oil every time we ring on the phone. We’ve stopped asking why; it seems safer that way.

Sue’s been up to her elbows in schoolwork and helping Sarah with her culinary exploits. She made a cracking shepherd’s pie on Wednesday that deserves a damehood. Or at the very least, a Blue Peter badge.