It was one of those days that if I weren’t at
Raddlebarn School, you’d be sure to find me at home, taking advantage of every possible minute of
daylight to get ready for my imminent trip tomorrow to Amsterdam – and if not
that, then my soon-to-be, ‘pack everything up,’ relocation to Weymouth.
[The word ‘raddle,’ from the 16th
century, was used in reference to fence making. A raddle is a hurtle (a portable panel usually of wattled withes
and stakes – cross pieces woven
through upright stakes – used
especially for enclosing land or livestock); thus a raddle barn would have been
a type of timber-framed structure with the walls filled in this way. ‘Raddle’
was used also to signify something reddish in colour. Dye was made from a
natural mineral found in clay called red ochre. After washing out the sand
content, the dye had many uses, including marking sheep and dyeing wool. Thus
the term, ‘raddlebarn,’ could also have referred to a barn where these
activities might have taken place. Much of the area where the current school
now stands was farmland, and it is recorded that the farmhouse itself stood north of the
present Raddlebarn Road.]
Raddlebarn Primary School (including, nursery-age
3, reception, like our kindergarten- age 4, then years 1 through 4), where
Katya and Oliver attend school – in reception and year 2, respectively – was from
its beginning a school facility. As population of the area increased during the
Edwardian Period, the District Council opened Raddlebarn Lane Temporary Council
School, and eventually the senior boys’ department of the school (girls and
boys attended class in separate rooms, and sometimes even facilities) became
its own separate entity. Raddlebarn Primary School is still accommodated in the
original building which was opened in 1909. The building is actually pretty
amazing looking for such an old boy!
What you find inside the school is very much like
any other grade school anywhere (see photo of classroom below) – not to speak
of awesome teachers and administrators . . . AND students! On this particular day
I had the chance to attend two functions at the school. First what happens
every Friday morning: all the under-grade students (up to year 2) gather as
individual classes for the Special Mentions assembly. Students who have excelled
stand up, sometimes came up, so they can be acknowledged by their peers. (Great
way to say, without putting it into words, ‘Awesome for these, our friends. As
well, you, too, can achieve this, and next time we hope it will be you we are
applauding!) Both Katya and Oliver have been duly acknowledged in the past.
Recognition of academic achievements came first, where
students’ names were read out of the ‘Gold Book’ and their teachers had a
chance to rave about their performances. From there they went on to highlight
redeemable character traits – one boy, for instance, was recognized for having
a good sense of humor AND knowing when to use it! Others mentioned were for
being well-behaved, kind, helpful, a hard worker – or the ATTEMPT to do any of
the aforementioned, anyway. There was also a group award for the all-around,
best group – which this time happened to be the Ward children’s group – the Unicorns.
Yeah - now MANY people had the opportunity of being highlighted! (I love the
use of positive peer pressure in evidence here - seems like a useful tool to
me and well-merited! At this assembly it was evident how the attributes of discipline and hard
work are being instilled – something that will serve these students well as it takes
them all the way up the ladder till they are ready for attendance at ‘uni,’ as
they say it here.)
Later in the day I returned again to Raddlebarn
for the Winter Bazaar – indoor games for kids, crafts, demonstrations and food.
Much merriment was in evidence. (A small part of the event was to act as a fund
raiser for the school itself.) It was a really fun, lively activity. As I was
wandering around the halls, I happened upon Santa’s Grotto. (It is so funny to
me that you dip into ‘Santa’s Grotto’ in order to see Father Christmas.) I got
permission to pop my head in – never having been to Santa’s Grotto before
(grotto meaning a small picturesque cave, especially an artificial one in a
park or garden – because it’s a ‘cave,’ it has a darkened appearance: I wonder how the associated tradition of ‘grotto’
and ‘Santa’ got started?), at which point the attendant asked if
I’d like to have my photo taken with Father Christmas (not anything like what
I’d expect MY Santa to look - gross man with glasses!). Well, of course, why
not! As I walked towards him, I added in a silly voice as I approached, ‘Santa,
I’ve been a good girl ALL year,’ at which his side reply to me was, ‘Well,
that’s not the kind of girl I LIKE to see, but I don’t say that to the little
girls.’ Oh, grosser still!
One of my prime objectives for walking up to the
school a second time in the same day, besides wanting to see a little more of
the interior of the school – as it was open to the public more than usual – was to see Katya sing Christmas carols with
the school choir. I was surprised to find that this happening was taking place
outside in the courtyard. (One major thing I learned in Amsterdam, especially,
is that for people in Europe, winter weather is no deterrent to the normal
events of life. It just goes on – come rain or shine! That mindset has been
something I have had to adjust to as I’ve always been a ‘okay, it’s winter – time
to hole up!’ kind a’ gal.) Great singing, of course – the kids seemed to really
be enjoying themselves. I had to think for a minute about how why here in
England, where there is SO much diversity of culture and religion, much beyond
what we are used to, would songs all about baby Jesus be permissible. I mean,
what about political correctness and all? And then it dawned on me – here there
is a state-prescribed religion, the Church of England (the ruling monarch is
the head of the church – thanks to you, King Henry VIII), so they can do whatsoever
they danged well please!
Photos_
1- Raddelbarn Primary School
2- back in the day - circa 1931
3- uniformed children seated at the Special Mentions assembly (Oliver next to the stage up to the top on the far left)
2- back in the day - circa 1931
3- uniformed children seated at the Special Mentions assembly (Oliver next to the stage up to the top on the far left)
4- stage at the assembly in the eating/utility room, children from individual classes being highlighted (teachers in either photo expounding on the merits of their students)
5- typical classroom
5- typical classroom
6- courtyard (interior between buildings where
different years are housed - in waning light . . .in the afternoon!)
7- sing choirs of angels
8- another cool thing about Katya_ The family had given this card to Leah for her
birthday a few weeks back. Katya had remarked to her mom, ‘it’s not very modest,
is it mommy?!’ And then proceeded to fix it! It is SO professionally done that
you would almost not even recognize that the drawing had been modified, if you
hadn’t been aware. The bodice was just that dark red area. You can see that not
only did she raise the neckline area but she also gave it sleeves, and included
the very same decoration. And as if that weren’t enough – she added fancy
shorts to match! Pretty clever, pretty artistic. Pretty awesome girl –
potential woman!
9- honey bee in the clutches of Father Christmas (‘er,
I mean, ensconced in Santa’s Grotto)
