First attack of winter!

We're not even half way through autumn and already we've been plunged into winter :( There's even been a smattering on snow down south. Up here we've *just* had cooler temperatures, wind and rain. I have a heater going again tonight and my electric blanket on. I'm optimistic that this weather is just a rogue set of fronts sent to test us, to remind us to get our winter woolies out of storage and to test our general state of mind in preparation for the winter. I'm sure tha when the fronts pass we shall once again have lovely warm, sunny autumnal weather. Next week maybe.......

In other news, we had the first day of our new 'curriculum week' today - a day of just 3 periods of 100 minutes each, designed so that we can get stuck into some more involved learning experiences. Whilst it has felt like a long day (having had classes in all 3 periods!) it has also felt like a smoother day - less interruptions and changeovers, less racing from one room or place to another and more opportunity for students to more fully engage in the learning experience. First impressions are very positive :) I feel a different name would suit the week though - maybe 'Focus week'....?? The only down-side that I can see is if the weather continues to be cold and wet - we could have up to 6 or 7 classes all scheduled in the gyms together - good for neither teacher sanity nor learning!

And with this cold southerly blast my thoughts go once again to the people of Christchurch. Many are without adequate heating and so the cold blast is sure to make life more challenging and uncomfortable. I notice from the news tonight that there is a total fire ban in parts of the city and gas heaters are not to be used - understandable, but darned uncomfortable. I also saw on the news tonight some new footage of the instant the quake hit - recorded from a CCTV camera. 24 seconds that changed everything in a city.....

Off to bed now - find a book and settle in to read for a while. I feel pretty lucky.

G'night.