About
June 2017
Well this Blog is a diary in most respects and acts like an aide memoir. It is a form of self expression that I recommend to anyone with time on their hands. It does make you stop and think, which surely helps anyone. It is always good to reflect and take stock.
Next goal wins laaaaaaads! 
Hi Sam. I worked at the same school as you for a couple of years, as an NQT from 1992. I taught Biology. I remember the Tea Club! And in particular one horrible old teacher whose name eludes me, who was so spectacularly rude to me during report writing that Jim, our HOD, was going to give him what-for on my behalf. God, teaching was so sexist in those days! People don’t believe me when I tell them what I put up with from some of the male teachers. But the department boozing, the band and so on, I remember very fondly. Also CJ, who I only recently found out had passed on. I’d been living in the US at the time and lost touch with everyone. I love your blog — really takes me back. Also, I think you’ll have a good laugh at my married name. No, I did not marry Bernie or any of his relations!
Thanks for the message Sam.
I cannot think of any horrible teachers in the tea club, but I can imagine the scenario with regards to your report writing experience. The tea club eventually dragged itself into the 20th Century and allowed women to join much to the disgruntlement of a few ‘old schoolers’, Most of whom went and formed a splinter group in the smokers’ room.
I often think about CJ and he is missed by many.
Haha – marrying Bernie? Well now there is a thought!
Glad you like the blog, it needs more work, but I am pleased that it brought back some memories.
Wow, just cracked open a bottle of Chimay (the one from winnings in ’94 went soon after) and randomly thought of doing a web search. Glad to see some memories of the past.
Apart from winning a lot of bets in Chemistry I do remember the lovely experience with Jim L. Kei and I were talking at the back during the radioactive decay maths and Jim called Kei out to the front. “If you can do better have a go”… Jim did have the good grace to say afterwards “Fair play, that was better than I could explain it”.
Thanks for the memories.
Now then Mark. Good to hear from you and that story about JL rings true. He is one of the best and an absolute wizard at making the most complicated of concepts seem easy to grasp, and humble with it too.