OK, that's it for another half-term and what a half-term it's been...

I am exhausted so I am switching off the blog, unplugging the batteries, pulling up the drawbridge and repelling boarders. I'll be back soon but remember if you are out in the world, hold hands, stick together and take care.
Chris

I moved on to the International Week Celebration Assembly at Guiseley St Oswald's CE Junior School...

I had been invited to the assembly and for lunch at the Top Table. The assembly was fantastic celebration of the international work the children had been doing over the week. The lunch was an Australian theme created by a brilliant cook whose lunches over the week had each day taken a country as the theme covering Morocco, Spain, Italy, France and now Australia. It was great to have lunch with Cllt Latty and a very special group of young people from each yeargroup who were a real credit to their school. It was a wonderful to spend some time at this great school and showed what passionate, talented and wonderful colleagues can do to bring the curriculum, the kitchen and the school alive.
Chris

I went to the Official Opening of Beeston St Luke's Catholic Primary School's new nursery by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds...

The school has struggled with the nursery provision in temporary accommodation for the last 25 years and the new facilities are fantastic; light, bright and attractive and with a fantastic outside area. It's the nursery provison this great school deserves to help them do the most important job in the world!
Chris

I finished the day at this years Stepping Stones Celebration at Tiger Tiger...

I spent the evening with Olivia and Kari and their foster carers.These two wonderful young people show us what is possible and the brilliant work that Julie Pocklington and Ken Campbell our Stepping Stones team are doing with the CLCs and students from the University of Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan Iniversity. It was a great evening celebrating a fantastic intiative that is making a real difference where it really matters.
Chris

I moved on again to Quarry Mount Primary School for their International Family Feast Celebration Evening...

It was an amazing celebration of the diverse and wonderful multicultural community the school serves so well. Everyone had brought food and there was enough to feed the five thousand! The evening started with the brilliant Dhol Indian Drummers from Year 3 who are now going to Birmingham to perform. The team at Quarry Mount Primary School are doing a great job and releasing a very special magic!
Chris

I moved on to Cookridge Primary School for their Community Gardening Afternoon funded by the Green Generations Festival supported by people from OPAL Holt Park, Leeds Organic Growers and the Saudi community...

It was a wonderful afternoon. The Leeds Organic Growers have achieved something remarkable with their magnificent garden at the edge of the school field and the Saudi community provided food and drink. We also watched a football tournament between the three 'Connecting Classrooms' schools; Cookridge, Ireland Wood and Iveson Primary Schools.
Chris

I moved on to have coffee with Bobbie Syrett, who used to be the headteacher at Beeston Primary School...

It was great to see Bobbie again and catch up.
Chris

I started the day being interviewed for Radio Leeds by Alice Bailey...

Alice wanted to talk to me about our Easter holiday dates for 2011 after concerns were expressed by parents and carers in Menston who live and work between Leeds and Bradford. As always we did try to fix the dates with other local authorities but both Bradford and North Yorkshire were planning different dates so it was impossible to co-ordinate across the region. We recognise and apologise for the problems that the different holiday dates will cause for parents and carers who live and work between Leeds and Bradford but unless the Government takes control over the term dates we will continue to have these problems and challenges. The upside of course is that different holiday dates tends to mean less traffic, cheaper holidays and more staggered attendance at local attractions over a longer period.
Chris

This afternoon I attended the 'GRAND Opening' of the new early years extension at Hill Top Primary School...

My colleague Duncan Grant, headteacher at this great little school, had asked me to officially open the brilliant new early years extension to their PFI building. The new building represents a powerful statement about the successful partnership working between the school, Leeds City Council, Education Leeds and Corillian. We think that this is the first significant extension of a PfI school and what has been achieved is breathtaking.
Chris

I moved on again to the Parent Partnership Service Celebration of their 'Charter Mark' success...
The Parent Partnership Service does a brilliant job working with and supporting our parents and carers with children with special educational needs. Bridget Mork, who leads the team, and her talented colleagues have once again achieved Charter Mark; a wonderful achievement. Their passion, enthusiasm, energy, commitment and hard work make the Parent Partnership Service a real beacon of excellence and showcase Education Leeds at its brilliant best!
Chris