This is especially for the staff!

Mrs Mac and I were up at 5.30 a.m. (pupils at 6!!) Even the kitchen wasn't open for breakfast so we had bread and jam and juice. (and one of Fiona's graze boxes) Picked up at 7 a.m. for assembly at 7.20 a.m. (Lesley if you're considering changing the school day we recommend this early start) The boys did a great job with the Meru Scouts and Neal was selected to raise the Kenyan flag while the boys sang the school song and the national anthem. This was followed by a short service led by one of the pupils. Silas introduced us. I spoke then the pupils introduced themselves then Fiona delivered the Rector's message in her oratory voice. The Principal spoke warmly and genuinely about the benefits of this partnership. He is really looking forward to the exchange of pupils. It is heartwarming to recognise that the hard work has paid off and this partnership is now firmly established in both schools.

Silas has just taken us on a tour of the school grounds including the sports fields and agricultural areas. Goats and cows were grazing on the pitches. One cow was not so lucky- and those who wished to had their first opportunity to view a dissection. (One cow feeds the boys for two days) We saw the piggery- oldest was 3 years and youngest little piggies were only a month. The school aims to be self sufficient and apart from the agriculture they have their own flour mill. Other local schools send maize to be milled here too.Collaborative practice!

The accommodation for the school is improving all the time. We saw the new dining hall and the toilet blocks. There are currently two science labs under construction. They have to be finished for the national exams on 18th October. Unlike Scotland the builders will work all night if necessary to meet the deadline.

The grounds are beautifully kept. Nevis (Laura and Mary's tree) is growing well.The boys are responsible for keeping paths clean of litter, fallen leaves and other detritus.(Higher English word of the day- please note Mrs Muir- this is an educational visit! active learning and cross curricular indeed!) The paths here are named after the 12 core international values- Love, Respect, Tolerance, Honesty, Humility, Unity, Simplicity,Responsibility, Happiness, Freedom, Co-operation, Peace. We really must implement your idea, Laura, to name the corridors of Grove in a similar way.

Break was most welcome- tea, coffee, muffins, biscuits and sweet potato in the boardroom! (we've definitely gone up in the world!) We have just been introduced to all 47 staff in the staff room- boy are we struggling with the names! We've been given an office with a computer so we've pulled rank on the pupils so we can blog. We're just waiting to be told which classes we're going to shadow. There are four senior classes so the pupils will be assigned to one each.

Fiona is getting lots of ideas about the new behaviour policy- she has already asked the Principal if she can bring home his cane! ( I don't think she'll get it on the plane!)

Pupils are great ambassadors for the school. We're very proud of them.

Kwaheri

Mrs Kerr, Mrs Mac, Katie, Matthew, Neal and Danielle.