now boarding

Back into the rhythm

After a shade over 2 weeks off over Christmas and the new year;  we all had a great time together but in a strange way it feels good to get back into the natural rhythm. 

Bags are re-packed, after-school clubs selected, accounts settled. News that two of the probationers are going to be made up in a couple of weeks is good as it bolsters the numbers and at last means that Tom won't be the only year 4 chorister.

Back to normal with prep; half an hour every night. Friday was spellings. 

 

Piano and cello alternatively 30 minutes each evening in addition to weekly lessons during the day. Tom really loves cello and with he's making good headway on his Grade 1 piano pieces.

 

Come the weekend, back home for a few hours on Saturday before Evensong, then  three service son Sunday; Matins, Eucharist and the Epiphanytide Procession. 

We never cease to ponder at how blessed we are that Tom takes part in such beautiful, prayerful services. This afternoon we even had the wonderful bouquet of  incense in the Cathedral - a bit of a rarity. Of course it was also our last chance to hear carols, including John Gardiner's magical traditional English Carol 'Tomorrow shall be my dancing day' ( and the closing motet sung in Russian...

 'Tebe poem. Tebe blagoslovim'. 

We sing to you. We praise you.

How appropriate.

 
 

Palm Sunday and Holy Week

(another post posted after the event)

One of our favourite services at our local Church, as we really processing around the local streets with a real donkey, and of course Holy week itself with it's Agape meal, the washing of the feet and vigil on Maundy Thursday, the Good Friday workshop and Easter Sunday itself. All incredibly special.

Choristers process before the service

This year it's different as all pupils at the School need to attend the Palm Sunday service in the Cathedral. Now Tom's still a Probationer but next year (touch wood) he's be very much involved all week, meaning he effectively gets a week's less Easter holiday.

Mind you, this year he gets four weeks (actually the whole month of April); compared to his sister's two (she attends a regular state school). Holidays out of sync like this of course pose their own logistical challenges and their next half -terms are actually separated by a whole week.

The usual suspects.

Back to the service, all boys and girls have to dress up - Eton Suits for the day boys and probationers (these are year threes above) and an equivalent for the girls.

Palm Sunday is a special service for all of us.

We feel mighty proud of Tom and what he's doing - both as his parents and as practicing Christians. It's a very special thing.

Our probationer boy doing a solo?

Many apologies for lack of posting this half-term. Been a busy, crazy time what with everything. Will post an end of term report, as it were.

Anyway, we just heard from the head of boarding this evening (who tends to be a reliable source) that Tom will be performing a solo on Friday's end of term school carol service in the Cathedral.

Wow!

His Nanny and Gramps were going anyway to meet him and take him home with Mum - of course this means I'll be going too. 

Headmaster praises Tom

Mum went up to visit tonight and the headmaster, who always says hello, bless him, said he was particularly pleased with Tom's behaviour in the cathedral during Evensong.

Apparently Tom sat quite still during the 50 minute service and was really well behaved. This impressed the headmaster.

Cool! - wish he could behave himself at home.

Things might be looking up, he wasn't tearful when it was time for Mum to leave.