now boarding

Too much information?

Or not enough. Since the deputy took over as acting head, we've seen an increase in the amount of communications school to parents.  Have to say on the whole it's all good. There's lots going on and for us lots still to learn. Below is a brief note from Easter, for year 3 eyes only.

I like this - there was a parent's concert the other week, organised by the PTA. I was amazed at how many musically  gifted parents there are, mind yo it makes you realise how musical ability is genetic. Anyway, this below is a voucher for a glass of wine at the concert. Hand-drawn by the schoolcholdren.

And finally, here's a joke found on a whiteboard in the boarding house, so written by a chorister. Made us laugh. More on the theme of communication son.

More acting up and communications

More great news this week. All four of the probationers acted up on Monday; which was good for them all as a unit (although there are two year threes, one year four and a year five amongst them).

Apart from Paul who only started at half-term, they've all had since last September together.

Then Tom acted u again tonight - so that three times in just over a week.

One of the nurses, Tom's tutor group teacher (who leads a choir) and one of the gaps all said how well Tom's doing; academically, chorally and boarding. The nurse then went on to tell me how next half term (that's the last 4 weeks of the school year) will see the Probationers acting up alternate weekends; which means staying up at school Friday and Saturday nights.

I told Tom this and he wasn't at all happy ("I want to leave before I get made up") which we've not heard for a while. Stupid me, we should have broken it to him more gently.

Mind you, it did make me wonder just when the school was going to inform us of these two weekends. I did get the sense that we the parents have to be proactive and ask the questions. The Chorister Handbook might map out the first year and the major milestones.

Maybe that's what the blog cold do?

'Unknown unknowns' and the 'Head Probationer'

A few things have come to light this weekend after a whole bunch of emailing back and forth from Chorister Parents (CPs) . I reckon this has been stimulated by two key events.

Firstly there's been a major piece of news about a key member of staff.

Secondly it's half term and for us probationer parents that's meant a bit of a shake-down as we take stock of the experience so far.

So, what have we learned?

1. There is an emerging and overwhelming desire for the CPs to get together to capture and share information and support each other. Both officially - with the blessing of school and Dean; and unofficially - that is, socially (and proximity to the school should not be a deciding factor).

2. There are a great many historical reasons why things are the way they are and indeed many aspects of the CP / School / Cathedral relationship that remain special and well worth preserving; but that they might still be improved.

3. That the CPs have many different and disparate views but share a desire for their boys to prosper in the school's special atmosphere - after all that's why we're here.

4. That all the staff, including residential and academic do a wonderful job.

5. Terminology:
'Can' is Cantoris, 'Dec' is Decani, the two sides of the quire where the choir sit. Decani (Dec) is the south side where the Dean sits and Cantoris (Can) is the north side. In other words, looking at the altar, Dec is on the right and Can on the left. Traditionally Dec is 1st treble and Can 2nd treble as is music parts if the top part spilts into two. Chorister parents have seat reserved on Can (so they can see their boys on Dec) but there is no vice versa.

'Peris' are the peripatetic music staff; ie. instrumental teachers.

6. I also heard from Tom that he reckons he's as good as 'Head Probationer'. On further interrogation, this is clearly untrue. The tyke.

What would you do?

We received this in the post on Wednesday. Tom had posted it Monday (probably our lowest day).

What would you do? I cried, Mum did too.

His teacher included a note saying that he'd asked if he could write to us. She'd provided a card and added that he was getting on really well, was sometimes teary but it he'd be OK and that if we wanted to talk that would be no problem. Very sweet and quite empathic.

Silence is golden?

This first week is mercifully short - yet agonisingly long. Tom has three school days and three sleeps, but during that time the school were very clear that they wold prefer it if we had no contact.

We've known for a long time this would be the case for the first week or two. Clearly the school and staff (especially the nurses) are well experienced with youngsters who've not spent anything like this length of time without contact with their parents. They are the professionals.

That of course makes it no easier.

Excepting his sister, our house is both quieter and relatively tidier. Of course we miss him dreadfully, it's unbearable. We put faith in the school and that we'll all get used to it. We hope we're not doing our son irreparable damage, that he'll forgive us and flourish. Again, if it's not for him then that's OK - nothing ventured, nothing gained.

So we're not to try to contact him, not to speak nor to visit. If the school needed to speak to us, they would. But still mum puts a call in, just to check, just to be reassured.

Wouldn't you?

"He's fine... doing really well" the nurse says. She reassures without going into too much detail - just enough to put us at ease.

Clever huh.

Still, just to make sure for next week - when we are allowed to initiate contact - I put a shout out at work for a spare mobile for him. Seems most of the boys have them; they're left with the school nurse during the day and made available during evening 'free time', which is a precious few minutes between prep, music practice and bed.