Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

Walking around the school, entering the classrooms, I love, amongst other things, the use of the English language. Such a strange, strange beast. So many elements, so much fun. I like the use of cliches best. Life is full of them, every day at school can be defined by them, they’re as old as Methuselah.

One of the many definitions out there of ‘cliches’ states…

'that a cliche is a phrase, remark, or opinion that has very often been said or expressed before and is therefore not original and not interesting.' 

Here are some common cliches heard or lived out recently during a typical school day (there’s more cliches than you can shake a stick at). 

8.30am - 10.45am

They were chomping at the bit, faces pressed up against the fence, eagerly waiting for the gate to be unlocked, so they could start the school day. ‘You look as happy as Larry, what’s your story?’ (I’ve always wished I’d met Larry, he sounds like a fun person).

‘Morning, happy Monday. How are you?’ ‘I am good as gold, thanks for asking.’ 'Weather looks a little dodgy today though, keep your fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain.' 'All good, we will just have to make hay while the sun shines.’

‘I’ll grab your bag, so you can jump out of the car. Wow, that’s really heavy. You must have everything but the kitchen sink in there.’ 

‘Are the children coming to school today?‘ ‘No, they’re a bit under the weather.’ 

Everyone is dropping like flies at the moment (Pretty much the entire school at one point or another over the last couple of weeks). Avoid like the plague I say. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, an apple a day keeps the doctor away (it might even help with being ‘under the weather’ and those pesky flies). 

(Conversation with a prospective parent during our school tour when asked where they lived in Kew?) ‘A stone's throw away.’ No actual address was shared. I wonder if the stone’s throw is on the same path as the one that the crow flies?

Meanwhile in Year Four (Homework correction time). ‘Where’s your homework?’ ‘The dog ate my homework.' Maybe it’s about time to get another dog (or excuse), or just do your homework next time.

Recess Time (10.45am - 11.15am)

As the children dodged their way through the bushes and trees, the shrill of ‘You can run, but you can’t hide’ could be heard, clear as a bell. 

Child shooting a tricky 3 point shot, nothing but net, looking totally unfazed by their efforts. 'Don't sell yourself short, that was very impressive!' 

'The bell went 5 minutes ago, you made it in the nick of time' (Teacher greeting some Senior children as the door's about to close, after they 'got distracted', busily dancing out on the oval to the new bell music instead of lining up).  

11.15am - 12.45pm

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but, it helps if you put your name on your jumper (this exact phrase might have been said once or twice in the office area). He certainly learned his lesson. 

‘Pick me, pick me, I know the answer, it's on the tip of my tongue’ (Year 2 child during Maths). ‘Where’s your iPad?’ ‘It's as dead as a doornail.' 'Go and charge it, there’s more work to be done.’

(Teacher consoling a distressed Year One child who lost their special little toy at recess time) ‘It will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, but we can look together at lunch time.’ ‘Lunchtime, isn’t it lunchtime already?’ ‘Soon my child, good things come to those who wait.’

Lunch Time 12.45pm - 1.45pm 

‘Apologies for this interruption everyone, can I have your attention please? The rain is here, it’s far too wet to go outside, we will have a wet day timetable at lunch time today.' The cheers ring out from the children, the groans even louder from the grown ups. ‘Want to play Guess Who or Celebrity Head?’ ‘Nah, I’ve got the new version of Uno, it’s the best thing since sliced bread.’

They say that every dark cloud has a silver lining (except if you’re a teacher and it’s a wet recess or lunch time). When it rains, it pours. ‘This classroom looks like a dog’s breakfast’ (heard directly after a wet day recess or lunch time). I guess that Uno's over and it's clean up time.

'Things aren't what they used to be' (a comment heard during a discussion about the Melbourne Football Club at the staffroom table, referring to the Premiership side of 2021 and our current state of affairs). ‘Yes, it’s the same old story’ hopefully, there will be other moments in the sun for them soon.’ 

1.45pm - 3.15pm 

‘Were you born in a tent?’ Staffroom door left open (again). ‘No, as luck would have it, I was born in a hospital. Settle down, it’s not the end of the world.’

‘Here’s our class tub’ (at 2.13pm). ‘Better late than never, I guess.’ As quick as a shot, ‘good things come to those who wait’, muttered that same small (now well fed) child from Year One, as he sped out of the office door. 

‘I don't want to let the cat out of the bag, but a little birdy told me that you have some news for us?’ ‘Yes, we’re going to Europe and I get a whole week off school!’ ‘That’s very exciting, but old news. I heard it through the grapevine ages ago.’ 

‘Pack your bags, chairs up, time is of the essence, the bell’s about to ring’. ‘But Miss, we haven’t had our joke for the day’ ‘Alright, quickly please, what’s the joke of the day?’ ‘What is a boxer’s favourite drink?’ ‘I'm not sure, what is a boxer’s favourite drink?’ ‘Punch’. ‘Ha, an oldie, but a goodie.’

Last but not least, as we become accustomed to our new weather patterns, no doubt at some stage, we will batten down the hatches and pull on a beanie. Whilst battening down, try to stop and smell the roses, sleep like a log, there is no time like the present. You only live once.

Wishing everyone a lovely, long, long weekend. Let the good times roll.

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes

School Principal