This week marked my family’s seventh week in lockdown (except the husband). I am still not sure if I envy his stints outside of what is turning into a very chaotic home or feel despair on consideration of the risks he could be taking?! On a more positive note Boris Johnson delivered the news we are past the peak and of course this week will mark Captain Tom Moore’s 100^th birthday! I think it is hard not to feel inspired or optimistic for the future.

I also have found myself really inspired by my latest online lecture - as a post session task we have been asked to consider our ideal school of the future. Considering the current situation school could be very different for some time. In recent weeks those of us positioned in schools or with children have been seriously contemplating some of the different possible outcomes - if some children cannot go back soon will they need to repeat a year/be ability streamed? Will the attainment goals be altered to reflect what could be half a year of missed education? Will the impact on children’s mental health become more of a focus than it has previously been within school? So many questions and very few answers but it’s got me thinking about the sort of teacher I would like to be and the sort of classroom I would like to have. I’ve definitely altered my practice as home-school teacher this week, lots more time for discussions and a lot more opportunities to creatively express ourselves. I have also taken some time for ‘me’ this week- well... not exactly but I have brought myself a few treats to relax with when life slows down a bit. Am I alone in wondering how being stuck in is saving so much money? Aside from the minimal fuel use it’s definitely made me question how much we were wasting before!

This past week has been, to repeat myself, chaotic. I have begun to see my latest assignment come together, yet much like with the lockdown measures being eased, I’m not quite there yet! The kids have begun to express their frustrations at not seeing their friends a bit more loudly and the pup is teething - queue the nipping and subsequent tears! We also saw the second of our lockdown Skype quizzes for TLI Team Poole (and our partners - can’t leave them out!) and I’m definitely fairing okay with those. I was slightly astounded to hear some of my fellow students are not familiar with Star Wars or The Hobbit, so that’s something to remedy when this is all over (even if you’re not a fan you have to see them at least once right?).