March 2009. I've given this web address to so many people recently that I think I really should update it. I'm going to, finally, have a go at publishing some of my poetry but if I don't succeed then I'm going to put more on this site. I haven't put much of it on the site cos publishers maybe wont like that. I don't know I haven't tried yet. check out french cottage. Some time still available. December I've changed the photo on Contacts to one of Martha. Much better. Play over. Christmas coming. November 2008 I'm in a medieval play, playing a midwife who delivers the baby Jesus and doesn't believe Mary is a virgin. It's very well cast! It's a group called The Players of St Peter and it's on at St Clement Eastcheap. It finishes on Friday 28th November. There is a very unflattering picture of me in this play under the Contacts button. I didn't put it there! I actually trusted a boffin friend of mine!!! May25th 2008 Anybody want to rent our cottage in France? Look on the French Cottage site and email me. 22.12.07 - I simply have to update this site before the end of 2007. We're spending Xmas at home and Sally and Dany are coming to join us. No kids at home this year. Quite a relief really (don't mean it!!) Girls from school who still look at this site must know that Jill Lucas died this year and I spoke at her funeral teincluding all the lovely comments from you lot from school in my speech. By the way will someone please put my New Year's Eve poem to music??? Come on you lot. 17.7.07 - I've taken the plunge and removed my Blackheath High School page!!! I simply cannot go on pretending I'm still there with you all. I still can't bear to delete the Poetry Paper button yet. Maybe I should take off the jokes too. Could I have comments on that from you please? My friend Ian told me that I should date the entries in this Home Page, so here you go. I suppose I'll be able to adapt my site now to include more poetry. A "Guardian" poetry critic (Get that!!! Yep, I met him!) Charles Bainbridge, told me that putting my poems on this site doesn't count as publishing them, so I can still enter them for competitions. Well I've been retired now for a whole year. I've just been to the Ledbury Poetry Festival June/July 2007, which is something I could never do when teaching. They don't do it in the holidays. I wonder why!!! I did my rap in the Grand Slam there. So the latest is, that I have really joined the retired gang and I now go tea dancing. Yep: walzes, foxtrots, quicksteps, cha cha cha (and there's also an interval when the band stops playing and we drink cha and have a delicate piece of chocolate roll!!) It's so deliciously retired. Yes, my language has changed. You spotted it!! I've also updated the french cottage button so anyone who wants to rent it for a week or two can find out more about it. Well I haven't edited this site since I left school. As soon as I start doing "interesting" things, I'll update it. Um, I'm playing tennis, singing in a choir (run by an ex student from school!!), taking an interest in cooking, going a bit to the theatre and cinema and zooming around town with my freedom pass!!! I miss you all loads, my babes. Keep in touch. I have been in France for a couple of weeks sorting out my mother's house there. I own it now with my 2 siblings since my mother's death. If anyone wants to rent it it's dead cheap. Look on the french cottage button and email me. Well, that's it folks! I retire today. Have had lots of lovely celebration parties in this lovely Summer weather. My rap is under the poetry button.! Mary and Patrick's wedding on Saturday afternoon. Gorgeous occasion. Fantastic food. Lovely to see some old girls too. Friends really nice and fun. Hello Colin!!! 6th Form ball last Friday night. Great fun dancing around to good music. Yup Steve, I like your leg movement! Any one who's biting their nails in anticipation of my retirement rap (R.I.P rap) coming out, I'll put it on this site when I retire (14th July!). Had a great party to celebrate Cath Maddison's 40th! Next weekend is 6th form ball. Haven't got a man to go with. Any offers?? Then on Saturday there's Mary and Patrick's wedding. Apart from that there's just a hell of a lot of gardening and furniture shifting to do. For those of you who don't already know, I now have my FREEDOM PASS!!!! Yes, I reached 60 last Saturday 3rd, and I used my pass for the first time to go to Duncan Forbes Poetry launch last night. It worked!!! It was a great do too. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE YRS 11, 12, 13 WHO ARE BEGINNING THEIR EXAMS RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Good luck to the rest of the school when you start yours on 5th June. Hey, I haven't had any new jokes from anyone for ages. Send me some. It's the right time of year to cheer ourselves up. OK. I'm better now. I'm sorry folks but I've been really ill with a cough and sore throat and temperature etc. Did you really need to know all that? I could go on!!! Still I'm mostly better now and I had 3 and a half days off school. I've hardly ever been off sick in 17 years of being here. Hes and Je went to see Martha for 2 days and then Mike for 2 days and now they've gone to France. Hester and Jeje arrive home tomorrow morning at 5.30am!! Can't wait to see them. Hey, guess what? Tristan and Isolde has come out as a film in Greenwich cinema right now, just when we are reading it in Yr 7. Parents please note! Take a little gang of them. We've got Didi and Resi staying with us for a week, over from Vienna. Nice to see them. Hester and Jeje due back in England on 6th May. Can't wait to see them. So, that's Easter over! Humph - spent most of it marking coursework. Still it's done now and my garden looks pretty good too after a few afternoons' work. Sally, my sis, and Dany have been over from France for a few days. Went to Risky to buy her birthday present! Great stuff. Mother's day joke from Frankie this year was: "Thank you for nappy changing, feeding, care, time, money, answers, help with everything and I'm giving you this card so let's call it quits!!!" Doh!! Went to see the school play: WOW. MND. It was fantastic. Gorgeous costumes and acting brilliant. Miss Waygood, the new English teacher came with me to see it and we had a meal at my house beforehand. She is really nice. You'll all love her. Went to Tate Modern with Art Dept (he wouldn't want me putting his name on this!) and Yrs 10 and 11. Got home and my nephew, Edward, came to see us. He was in London for work for the day. Great to see him. Judged the Juniors Poetry Competition last Monday. It was fabulous. Going out to see the National Theatre production of Measure for Measure tonight with Yr 13, Yr 12 and Jess. Know it will be good. Great reviews. I won the dress up as a book character competition! I got a bottle of lovely Frascati from Lyndsay. We had a fabuloous trip to The Globe Theatre with Yr 9s yesterday. We heard some history and had a workshop. Our lot knew loads already which made me very proud of them!! Honest! It was freezing cold though in the theatre. Did lots of gardening over half term so I'm still thinking about it all the time. Shall I cut down that yukka? Who will prune the pear tree? Half term is brilliant. Went to British Library yesterday and then out for a meal at the Cafe (no, I'm not telling you all or it'll get booked up!). Done some serious sleeping. (Do you like the alliteration?) Lucy Ferrari came into school today with her new baby Owen!! Oh yes and her husband Al. Poetry Paper is out again, January 31st, thanks to Ellen Beer and Emily Pavey who have done a great job in keeping it going despite all their other work. Penny Downie, an RSC actress who performed in the film of The House of Mirth, came into school today Monday, to talk to the Yr 13s about the making of the film. she was really great and helped them a lot with the novel. Thanks Penny. Wedding was fabulous! Met loads of really interesting people, including some whacky actor types. Hey-ho! Welcome back to school everyone. Apparantly, I've been told, that Tavia has a crush on the skiing instructor in Torgon, Switzerland. Poor fellow!!! We had a great actor in school today called Damon Young. He did a smashing show for the Yr 13 and Yr 12 reciting Chaucer in the original and managing to make it not only funny but also understandable. (Well the Yr 13s are total boffs anyway and can read it all in the original!!!) Off to Tom and Micheala's wedding tomorrow. Going to be great. Happy New Year to all my site visitors. Had a good Christmas with loads of food, drink and candles etc. Happy Christmas! We are at home this year, having a quiet time! Likely! We saw the best performance last night at Goldsmiths' College Theatre. It was a brilliant Measure for Measure. Angelo was stunningly good and there was very little subplot!! Saskia asked me to put that it's her birthday today!! The November Poetry Paper, or as it now calls itself P-ROSE (Poetry Rose!!!!!) is out today, 30th November. Buy one and then put your poems into the poetry box in RC or in Pupils Shared under Poetry Paper. For winning poem for this month, see Poetry Paper button on this site. Shade Henry did a brilliant job on Tuesday. She was chosen by us to represent our school at a public speaking competition at Sydenham High. She was one of 8 competitors. Her speech was very intelligent and delivered with passion. Kestutis and Vida didn't come as he has flu! So we had an awful lot to eat at the weekend! The Sixth form and Jess and I went to see a fabulous production of Bronte, a new play at The Lyric Hammersmith. It was a woderful marriage of life and works and it gave us a lot of insights. Kestutis and Vida (our American Lithuanian friends who we knew in Germany) are coming to stay for a few days on Thursday. Gill did a really good job on the judging. Lois won the Junior Cup and Lindsey won the Senior Cup. A good time was had by all. I've found someone to adjudicate the Greenman Competition. Gill Zeilig actually started the competition here at BHS. She used to teach Drama here. When she left, I took over from her. It will be great to have her here to see what it is like now. I've been friends with her all these years!! Well, that's half term over. It's good to have 2 weeks but it's a bit of a shock coming back to school! Frankie had his birthday yesterday, 22, and he came round for a meal. Polly had hers in the holiday too and I took her up town for a really good massage which we both needed after half a term of school. Rene, Jonty and Sally went to the French cottage for a week to relax. It's time for the Greenman Public Speaking Competition at school. Here are the titles for this year. The Greenman Public Speaking Competition November 2005 Titles for Years 6 to 9 Fair is foul and foul is fair Should we live in cities? Trap I’ll never do that again The Bridge Spare the rod and spoil the child Titles for Years 10 to 13 Property is theft The Big Issue How to commit the perfect murder The Road of Excess leads to the Palace of Wisdom A Web of Lies General reminders: • This is compulsory for years 7-11 • Titles are issued on 13th/14th October • Winners from each form will enter a semi-final • Speeches should be no longer than 5 minutes • This is public speaking not drama or stand-up comedy • You may interpret the titles creatively and use humour also • The final is a whole school event with an external adjudicator • The date for the final is Monday 14th November pm. Last night we went with 45 Year 11s to see Death of a Salesman. The matinee had been cancelled by the theatre so it's a blessing we were able to re-book. It was good - very realistic and it didn't feel theatrical. Frank and Rene came too and Lucy's husband. Jess too. Got home really late and wasn't in bed til about 12.30!!! Far too late for me. Hey, I met the great Chinua Achebe yesterday at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, and I got a signed copy of his new book, Collected Poems. I'm looking forward to reading them and I'm so proud of the signature. Pepys walk was good. Frank got the time wrong, so he missed it!!! Lots of new events to look forward to. We're going to the theatre, lecture days and having the Museum of London here to give us a show on Chaucer! Frank and I went on a Nelson walk last Saturday in Greenwich and this Saturday we're going on a Pepys walk in Greenwich. Hester's birthday today! Frankie is working with a photographer! Polly has got Ofsted Wed and Thursday. Rene is fine and doing her garden! Beginning of a new year. Well for me all years begin in September! Welcome back to my website, fans. Yes, I'm still going to keep you up to date with all my personal news and your HOMEWORK. My Mum died in the summer holidays, which was really sad, but she was 89 and had all the family round her. She had just been to her house in France and had a lovely holiday. We had the funeral at my house last Saturday. Hester is still in Oz. Polly is back teaching. Martha is working for the film festival in Leeds and Frankie is looking for a job. Ok, all you new folks at school, I think I've learnt all your names by now. Try me! So now exams are all over!!! Roll on the results, or not. You can all go on the beach and read. And read. And read. And swim. And read. 6th form ball was lovely. Gunn Drama tomorrow night. Theatre trip on Thursday. Picnic on heath on following Wednesday. Not much homework or marking! Hester and JeJe have been in Brisbane with the family and are having a great time. Martha's birthday on Thursday. I haven't updated this for ages. That's because of being Acting Head of Department. Gosh, Linda, there's so much to do!! Still, I'm piling in there and getting on with it. Everyone has finished exams now. Yeeeeeah! Heatwave! Barbeques! Anniversary ball! Sixth Form ball! A level Art show! Life begins at the end of June. Well, mine began at the beginning. Next year I'll be 60 folks. Get ready. Hester and Jerome are on their way to Brisbane in their van which is still going ok. Polly, like me, is shattered teaching but looking forward to her holiday. She has a new car, a Rover! Martha has several jobs and is still enjoying her flat. Frankie, is, um, doing his art. Good luck to all of you poor so and sos doing your GCSEs and AS and A2. It'll soon be over and then you've got the best summer ahead of you. Oh yes, and of course all the school exams, including the public exams for Latin! Think of how good your cv will look! Goodbye to Simi who is going to New York to live. You'll love it and keep in touch by email. Martha has moved into a new flat in Leeds. Hope you get the job to go with it Marf! Hester and Jerome have arrived in Sydney and are loving it. I went to Risky and bought a pair of trousers with a butterfly on the butt!!! £3!!! Thanks for the new joke Caitlin. Hope I get some more from the others too. Well, Hester and Jerome have set off to Australia today to stay for a whole year. Have a good time and come back safely. Linda Martin is sadly off sick for a long time from school, so lots of love to you Linda. We'll be going to the school play together on Friday night. For the time being then, I'm acting Head of Department which means a lot of extra work so if I don't always reply to your emails, you'll know why! Jerome arrives tonight, having watched his new aeroplane take off in Toulouse!!!!! Some of my kids want your autograph because you worked on that plane Je Je!!! Back at school after Easter. Went to see "Hecuba" (in a version by Tony Harrison) with Yr13 so today we read a war poem by Tony Harrison about the Iraq war. At home been busy gardening (like, 4 hours yesterday!) Hester coming home on Thursday and going to Australia for a year with Jerome. Well that's the 125th Yr anniversary celebration over. It was lovely to see everyone strutting their stuff on such a massive stage. You all looked good. Well done. Have a lovely Easter holiday. I will. I got home to find Frankie and Hester had come back unexpectedly! Maybe all four of the kids will be home for Easter! Polly has broken up and Martha's film festival finishes tomorrow night. so it's down to the freezer to make sure there's enough food in! And beer! No, I don't freeze beer. Some wize crack is going to say that I know! Last Tuesday I went to our Juniors to judge the Fledglings Poetry Competition. The standard was absolutely excellent, right through. When I get time, I'll put some on the school poetry page here. On Thursday I went with the Yr 8s to St Alban's on a Latin trip. My grandfather was a canon of St Alban's cathedral and I remember going there as a little girl. Last Saturday, I went to Oxford to see "Pygmalion" produced by Katie Gaskell (an ex student of ours at school, to whom I taught the play when she was 12!!!!). It was a superb production and gave me some new ideas about the play. Well done folks! Hope you all had a great half term. I was very busy helping to organise the decorating of my mother's house. It looks really good now. We have decided to bring out the CLOTHING poetry paper for next week, 28th Feb, which is Book Week. The funds from it will go to the tsunami appeal. Get poems into the box in time. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERY ONE OF MY FAITHFUL READERS (AND TO THE UNFAITHFUL ONES TOO) Here's my New Year's Eve Poem (I wrote it last year but I still like it this year!) I still want someone to put it to music in an easy tune that even I can sing! New Year's Eve At the dying of the year when you're feeling like a cry And the night is dark and lonely, not a star in your sky, Get out on the street and kiss everyone you meet For the family of mankind is passing by. When the main street where you're standing is full of rain and storm And you turn around and find there is violence and harm, When the world is screwed up tight in the middle of the night, then the strokes of twelve caress us like a charm. When you see the backs of crowds in the harsh electric stare Of the streetlight and the headlight and you're caught in the glare, Focus on the places where the laughing people's faces Send the message of the human hopes we share. No matter what your age or sex or what you believe, The sons and daughters out there long to give and receive. Every man you meet tonight is an Adam shining bright Every woman is a sparkling new year's Eve. We are at home this year as usual and Polly, Martha and Frankie will be joining us. Hester is going walking in Morocco with Sally and Dany, Sarah and Matthieu (for those who don't know: my French family. That's got you confused hasn't it!) Have you seen the latest poetry must-have?? You can get a poem a fortnight sent to you by text message!!! Yes. It costs 20p to subscribe (bargain) and one poem must be submitted by you for the Poetry Paper. You must also obviously give the PP editors your mobile number. Then you get poems sent to you. Poems are in text-speak and you can submit one if you like. I have 40 numbers from you at the moment and room for more. Mr Waywell says we are at the cutting edge! And he should know! My new texts are out. I did "A Midsummer Night's Dream". You'll find details on the Publications button. Students (and moreover students' parents!!!) can find this month's homework assignments under "Blackheath High". Yeah gotcha! No way out. If you're bored, go to "Jokes". Send me a new joke - not great long ones please. Keep 'em short. Hey, you can't complain that my jokes are rubbish if you never send me any new ones! Martha has just got a 1st in English at Leeds!!! Apparantly she has decided to be a painter and decorator and possibly a plasterer. These pay much better than teaching. Hester is still in France in Montpellier and not sure where next. Polly has bought a flat and has started her 2nd year of teaching. Frankie is back at university and has found a really nice place to live for next academic year, sharing with 4 other blokes. Poetry readers will find a few of my latest poems under "Poetry". I will be happy to include some readers' poetry if you email it to me. See "Contact" for email address.