Letter from Mr. Burns -
Mr. Botfield visits Cwmcarn High, Cwmcarn!
It’s been a while since I drove the winding roads towards Cwmcarn, the golden orange sunrise breaks over the mountains, like a beacon guiding me towards my familiar, yet distanced destination.
As I approach the school via that sweeping left bend in the road I’m filled with a sense of excitement. It’s been a long time since I was last here this early in the morning, but in many respects it feels that I’ve never been away.
As I walk from my car to the main doors the air is clear and pure, filled with the laughter and jovial chatter of year 11 learners arriving for their morning mock examination in the performing arts centre.
With my camera at the ready as I enter the building that distinctive and welcoming Cwmcarn smell hits me, as does a sense of calm and tranquillity that I’ve always associated with the building.
Those long corridors that would usually be bustling with children moving between lessons are graced with workmen, busy making final preparations for our whole school return on the 6th January 2014.
As I tour the school it isn’t difficult to capture the magic of the building in photographs. The wall displays hang prominently, still in great condition, just as they were when they were carefully placed back in September 2012 ready for the start of a new academic year. As I walk in and out of classrooms it’s clear to see the scale of the task of moving an entire school, again. Many rooms are filled with blue crates, ready to be unpacked next week, whilst several solitary rooms lie dark and empty, yet to be adorned by their belongings, that are as I type being loaded into lorries in Ebbw Vale.
I’m excited to see my classroom again; as I walk down the long corridor towards my room I can almost hear the chatter and laughter from the staffroom, and smell the coffee! The distinctive click of my classroom door handle reveals my classroom full of computers, all ready to be plugged in and set up next week! As I sit behind my desk I’m struck by the size of my Interactive whiteboard towering behind me, and my mind starts planning what’s going where next week.
Having stayed longer in my room than I probably should have I take the opportunity to dip in and out of several other classrooms to take more photos before making my way over to the gym and sports hall.
Teaching lesson 3 I know it’s not long before I have to leave for Ebbw Vale. Having taken this once in a life time opportunity to park in the Head teacher’s parking space without getting found out I know exactly where to find my car! As I make my way outside the site is a hive of activity, with vehicles and people coming and going. As I leave around the sweeping right hand bend I glance in my rear view mirror, that familiar site starts to distance me once again.
As I’m faced with the 14 mile drive to Ebbw Vale there’s plenty of time for reflection upon my morning and to look forward to the start of a new year, new term and to contemplate the successes of our new future.
Enjoy the photos.
Mr. Botfield.
The Gym
