They who must not be named...

    Last week the 'Big O' rolled into my school - an event we had been bracing ourselves for since May. That's right. We'd been on high alert for an eye watering seven months (something akin to slow torture). Now I'm going to contradict the title of this post by mentioning them.

Ofsted.

    That wasn't so bad and in fact, the whole experience can be summed up in this way too. For my overseas readers, Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills) carries out school inspections. If you're a good school, you are inspected every three years. They come in with the expectation that you are still performing at the level of the last inspection. However, if they see anything that suggests otherwise, it turns into a 'full' inspection. In other words, they come back the next day with more inspectors (gulp). We were notified half way through the day before and what ensued in between was a flurry of activity, preparations, tweaks and pure panic!

    Their job is to improve standards in education and this can only be a good thing. However, you can't help the anxiety that comes with something like this. The grading you are given has wide implications; it will impact staff morale, parents' perceptions (present and future) and the wider community.

   Thankfully, the Ofsted inspectors saw all that they needed to see in one day and were very impressed by the young people in our care. The inspector that observed my lesson gave me some pertinent feedback, though we must remember that they only see a snapshot in time. We teachers know the contexts of our learners, their backgrounds, barriers and challenges. We know what real progress means for them and it isn't always reflected in black and white data, statistics, figures or a twenty minute observation.

    So the school breathed a collect sigh of relief. Until the next time...

Start as you mean to go on...

The new year always heralds new habits and this year I'm trying better breakfasts. I've never been one to skip this crucial meal of the day and by 'better', I simply mean more sustaining. Teaching is exhausting at the best of times and eating well is one way to secure good health. I've really got into hot porridge that has been 'accessorized' with fruit and/or honey. This keeps me comfortably going until lunch and I must say, my energy levels are much better at the end of the day. As well as this, I'm unable to have wheat in my diet so I sourced some Pumpernickel bread to try out as a breakfast food. The taste was a bit of a shock (it is really dense and heavy) but with some peanut butter and resilience, I came to like it. Porridge and Pumpernickel are low G.I. (Glycemic Index) which means they release their energy more slowly. They leave you feeling fuller for longer and prevent those 'sugar highs' that are often followed by energy slumps or crashes.

A bowl of hot porridge...

A little honey...

An explosion  of fruit!

Pumpernickel - it tastes better than it looks!

Nutty about this roast!

Okay, so 4pm on Christmas day is not the best time to cook a dish for the first time (ready to be served at 6pm!). However, this was the situation I found myself in. Unbeknown to them, my converging relatives were the guinea pigs for a nut roast recipe that I had my eye on. It was my way of giving the vegetarians a mainstay, while the meat-eaters feasted on their bird. The ingredients involved an onion, grated carrot, a clove of garlic, brown rice, cheese, 2 eggs, sliced mushrooms, breadcrumbs, chopped mixed nuts, sage, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. The whole concoction was then packed tightly into a loaf tin and cooked for an hour (if you really want to brown it, keep it in longer). I'm delighted to say that the gamble paid off and my humble nut roast received no end of compliments. It was tasty, meaty and filling and the real seal of approval was people taking slabs of it home in doggy bags. I'll definitely be going back to this next year!

Before it headed to the oven...

The finished article...

No soap and drama here...

    If you've read my earlier posts, you'll know I'm a fan of natural soap. I recently stocked up (I like to buy in bulk) and thought I'd blog about my latest purchases.

    The packaged bar on the left is the one that I use on my body (banana and honey). Typical soap dries my skin out and makes it itchy and flaky. This is 100% natural and contains other nourishing ingredients like Shea butter and coconut oil.   The one on the right is my hair soap. It's a Butter Bar that contains mango, Shea, cocoa butter, almond and Jojoba oil. The company says that it's ideal for dry and coloured hair. The ingredients sound so divine and nourishing - almost edible!

    If you're curious about what it's like to use a product like this, I can say that it takes a bit of getting used to (in a good way). Typical shampoo from a bottle lathers up a storm. However, this natural hair soap produces no lather whatsoever. That's because it's free from chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate. This seems to serve no purpose, other than to create the foaminess that consumers wrongly equate with effectiveness. This is more about changing a mindset though. I also like to leave the product in my hair for a few minutes, to boost the positive impact. As well as this, your hair won't feel silky to the touch after it's been washed out. Typical bottled shampoo contains silicone that coats and lubricates your hair so there is still product left in after the rinse. When you have washed the natural shampoo from your hair, it feels clean. I mean really, really clean of product and gunk.

   The final points in favour of my Funky Soap purchases: less hair disappearing down the plughole and the value for money. One hair bar goes much further than a bottle. So I dare you - make the switch if you're brave enough!

All wrapped up...

    Here's another lunch idea that I'm trying out and like all new recipes, it's been promoted to my current favourite! It's a very simple but filling wrap that can be eaten at the desk, on duty or on the move (or even in the communal staff area - there's a thought). The filling involves Quorn Chicken Tikka slices, sliced mushrooms, spinach and a condiment of your choice (I add a little Mayo but you can add Sweet Chilli, Chipotle, mustard or whatever your taste buds crave). It's an idea that is ripe for personalisation. The following ingredients would be right at home in a wrap: sliced peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, sliced hard boiled eggs, salmon, Chorizo, rocket, sliced avocado, chicken, thinly sliced carrot, grilled veg, hummus, turkey, tuna, tofu, white beans...

    The list is gloriously endless which means you can put together new and colourful combinations each week. It can also be made the night before, leaving you precious minutes in the morning to nurse a cup of coffee/tea. See? Chic Teacher thinks of everything.

Cracking up...

If you're like me, you'll find yourself cracking up at this time of year. I am, of course, referring to the toll that wintry weather can take on the skin (not the exhaustion brought on by this never ending term - I don't have the solution to that just yet!). I find that the area around my knuckles and fingers is particularly partial to cracked and sore skin. Gloves and lashings of hand cream are no good so I've turned to these gems to combat the problem. The Calendula Cream is a winter must-have in my eyes. It is so rich and helps to restore my skin to it's natural texture. I apply it generously before bed and at other points in the day, when a top-up is needed. I use Elizabeth Arden's eight hour cream on my lips, though it can be used to combat minor skin irritations. It is a lightweight formula that supposedly protects the skin for eight hours. These two are my go-to products in a season where we need to take extra special care of our minds and bodies...

In solidarity...

Now, more than ever, I truly appreciate my job as an educator. Education drives out ignorance, bigotry and intolerance. Like many of you, I am struggling to make sense of the horrific events that unfolded in Paris yesterday. I am full of so many questions and I know my youngsters will be too, on Monday. It is our duty to present young people with the facts and the facts are simple: no religion encourages bloodshed in its name. However, that doesn't stop people from using their faith to push an agenda, even a destructive one. The way to stop them from succeeding, from creating a culture of distrust and conflict among different religions and races, is to stand in solidarity. It. Is. That. Simple.

I needed an outlet for the many emotions that were welling up inside, so I created this. Friends have asked if they can use it on various social media platforms. Feel free to use as you please...spread the message far and wide.

Fair is foul...

I'm sure English teachers everywhere did a little jig when they heard that a new interpretation of Macbeth was hitting the big screen. Would there be a fresh take on this centuries old tale? How would it differ from the well known adaptations that already exist? More importantly, would it pave the way for some very welcome 'DVD lessons'? I must say, it defied all of my expectations - from the awesome opening battle sequence to the fiery finale (and I'm not someone who is easily impressed). The landscapes were raw and unforgiving and the cinematography was simply stunning, but deeply affecting. Michael Fassbender was born to play the title character and Marion Cotillard's Lady Macbeth was captivating (though not as ruthless or darkly ambitious as previous incarnations). The director, Justin Kurzel, took a fair few liberties that paid off but I won't write too much in case you want to see for yourself. I will tell you what has been omitted though. Gone are the famous witchy incantations and the porter scene has been done away with completely. There's also a Donalbain-shaped hole in the story but these changes work in this adaptation. Furthermore, the couple's childlessness is a prominent vein that runs throughout  and gives the film splashes of humanity every so often. To conclude, this is a very, very dark reworking that mesmerizes and shocks in equal measure. I certainly can't show the whole film to my class but some carefully chosen clips would definitely hook them (especially the boys). 

All hail indeed!

A jewel of an idea...

'Row of hooks' and 'beautiful' don't usually go in the same sentence but this piece from Sass and Belle nails it. The item was  a present from my sister and the perfect opportunity came to finally put this up. I redecorated my bedroom recently and didn't fancy putting nails into the pristine, painted walls. I got round it by attaching the  hooks to the side of my wardrobe instead. It's pretty, practical and in the perfect place for me. I've accumulated so much jewellery that a humble box just doesn't cut it anymore! 

Why not peruse their website? They've got so many stunning ways to store and display your jewels.

All about the base...

There are certain products that I'm reluctant to change, simply because getting them right is a pain/labour of love. Switching to a new foundation is definitely up there because finding the right shade is a holy grail type mission. I decided to wave goodbye to my powder foundation and go back to a liquid after many, many years. I have skin that gets a sheen as the day goes on so I wanted something that worked on this. More importantly, I wanted something that didn't clog pores or exacerbate my problem areas. I decided to go with Clinique and so began the painstaking journey! I initially got given a sample pot in Beige (Stay Matte range) and that was far too light for my skin tone. I then tried Sand which gave me an instant light tan (not the effect I was after). Not to be defeated, I went back to the counter and declared that a shade between these two would be perfect. There was nothing suitable in this range, so the helpful assistant suggested Fresh Honey in the Anti-Blemish Solutions range. If something has 'anti' and 'blemish' in the title I'm all over it! This was the best fit so my voyage of discovery was over. I'm happy to say that I've stuck with this shade and if it copes with most situations, conditions and time frames, I'll be a loyal customer (until the next change!).

Guess who's back...

After a month abroad, I'm back in the blog bosom and keen to update you all. I survived without the internet and social media (a conscious choice) for all that time and am none the worse for it. I must say, it does you good to disconnect yourself every so often. It certainly forced me to immerse myself more in my surroundings and soak up the local customs and traditions. Instead of sharing snaps of the scenery or what I wore, I thought I'd do a more practical post. Here is my Go To List - items that I used repeatedly during my time abroad:

A thousand apologies for the poor picture quality. It looked a lot better on my phone that it does here! I'll try my best to guide you through the items.
1. Some magazines and books (in my opinion, still the best way of passing the time).
2. Burt's Bee's lip balm to keep my smackers nourished in the intense heat.
3. Organic Rose Hip oil and Geranium & Orange hand cream (Neal's Yard) to tackle dry patches and dry hands.
4. Nuun hydration tablets (they're dissolved in water and helped me stay hydrated when my energy was being sapped by the sun and heat). Thanks to my big sis for bringing these into my world.
5. Prada sunglasses
6. Citronella incense sticks (a natural mosquito repellent).
7. My Ipod
8. Almond milk powder (just add water to magically turn into milk! I'm unable to have cow's milk and this was my way of ensuring that I was covered if no other kind was available, which it wasn't).
9. Pure organic Argan Oil for my hair.
10. Aloe Vera gel for rough skin and mosquito bites.
11. A hair styling bun ring (I kept my hair up 100% of the time).
12. A cross body bag from Mango (a fabulously practical present from a good friend).

Holiday reading...

     I am a week into the glorious summer break and now wrestling with suitcases and packing. As ever, it's a David vs Goliath type battle as I try to condense a mountain of items to fit the airline requirements. I am going on a month-long vacation abroad with my family and as usual, I am taking plenty of reading matter.

     In my trove of literature I have the much talked about 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins; John Green's 'Paper Towns' (because I surprised myself by enjoying 'The Fault in Our Stars'); the intriguingly titled 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared' by Jonas Jonasson and Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' (not pictured) and 'Go Set a Watchman'.
     The eagle-eyed among you would have spotted two DVD box sets. I am using the time away to catch-up on series that I neglected during term time. I discovered Supernatural and Arrow way after everyone else so will be playing catch-up until the series come to their respective ends (perish the thought!). I will be packing season 2 of Arrow and season 8 of SPN.
     I don't know about you but I find un-cracked book spines and pristine box-sets irresistible. I can't wait to crack and unwrap! 

Nailing the natural...

I'm always on the hunt for products that are kinder to the hair, skin and nails. This led to me Scotch Naturals, a nail polish brand that believes in leaving the nasty chemicals out of its lacquers. Their polishes are water-based and without the same chemicals that cover cars! I love the bitter 'n' twisted shade; it goes on very easily and has immense staying power. There is no overpowering smell during application and because it's water-based, it is a lot easier to remove. So come on ladies, coat your nails in something kinder - they'll thank you for it!

A birthday beauty...

I wanted to share this post mid-week but had to wait until today.That's because it's about a present that I bought for my sister, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. I decided to splash out on her because she's celebrating a significant birthday and this gorgeous Ted Baker piece ticked all of the right boxes. It's a patent matinee purse in a divine shade of orange. My sister fell in love with the colour and metallic bow detail. It was a little pricey but it looks timeless and is something that I know she will use again and again. I purchased it from John Lewis and am tempted to buy one myself, in a different shade!

Free just for me...

    I've mentioned before that I have an intolerance to wheat and cow's milk. In order to enjoy a lot of the things I did before, I have to couple creativity with research! I used to bake quite a lot but there was a lull when I learned about my dietary restrictions. However, I'm getting round that by stocking the larder with wheat-free flours and alternatives to butter/margarine (sunflower spread) and milk (rice milk). These fairy cakes came out really well for a first attempt. I simply followed a standard fairy cake recipe and substituted the necessary ingredients with ones I could tolerate.

    I'll be honest, there is trial and error involved when you're replacing key ingredients but if you can't give up the sweet goods, that keeps you going!

    I've just found a mouth-watering recipe for rich frosted chocolate brownies. I plan on giving this a whirl in the coming weeks and I'll be sure to share the outcome with you all.

Rich experiences that cost nothing!

You can't see my sad face but it is there. It's there because I neglected my blog over the Easter holiday fortnight and I feel a little guilty. Not to worry, I'm back and keen to fill you in!

My niece and nephew's Easter Egg Hunt went down a storm (see earlier post). The trail took them out of the house, down the street and to the babbling brook near our home. This is where the chocolate eggs were, which they added to their baskets (already teeming with treats picked up along the way).

I then spent a week in Kent (South East England) where I ate good food and socialised with good people. The weather was surprisingly pleasant so we decided to absorb some art and culture by visiting museums and galleries in London. Admission to these were free but they were rich in many ways. Highlights included the Sensational Butterflies exhibition (Natural History Museum), the Science and Art of Medicine, Science in the 18th Century and Flight exhibitions in the Science Museum. This museum also had a wonderful interactive section that allowed you to have a hands-on experience of science and it was a joy for the young and old alike. We headed to the V&A museum where the magnificent busts and sculptures captivated us and the South and South East Asian collection and Textiles and Fashion collection were very interesting. The Tate Modern was a feast for the eyes and emotions, with artwork that intrigued, wowed and confused! We even squeezed in a Lamborghini showroom to, let's be honest, take 'selfies' with £250, 000 cars. 

 It's back to work tomorrow but what makes the  thought bearable is the fact that the summer term (my favourite) is beginning. I can't wait to remove those winter layers and teach to the backdrop of busy bees, birds and butterflies!

Easter egg treasure hunt...

In my household, Easter isn't simply a time for devouring copious eggs (although that in itself is a perfect treat). My young niece and nephew come to stay for the spring term break and we like to organise an Easter egg hunt for them. Various clues will be dotted in and outside the house, encouraging teamwork and problem-solving as they work through the trail. The final prize will be the much coveted eggs but they will acquire Easter inspired lollipops, biscuits and toys/activities along the way. It's become a bit of a tradition and one that the adults love creating and the young ones enjoy participating in.

This year I've bought most of the items from the department store John Lewis (the ones in this picture were purchased there).

Chick (pea) teacher...

   Remember how I said I'd be trying some new lunch ideas this year? I'm managing to stick to my end of the deal by bringing you my second new lunch experiment of 2015. This has fast become one of my favourite school lunches:

   This colourful concoction comprises chick peas, black-eyed beans/peas, feta, olives, thinly sliced red pepper, cherry tomatoes and baby spinach leaves. A dressing would be a welcome addition, if you're that way inclined. I find that a good sprinkling of black pepper and lemon juice is enough. You could experiment with all sorts of additions to suit your tastebuds.

   I worked my way through this hearty salad while having a lunchtime planning meeting with my colleague. I think the high protein aspect got my creative juices flowing because we had a very productive session!

   As a result, this Chic Teacher has been converted to Chick Teacher for now...

Barmy for sarnies...

First and foremost, I'd like to wish the readers of Chic Teacher a happy new year. Hopefully this year is already gearing up to be the best one yet.

Secondly, let's start as we mean to go on by getting a food fix! I'd like to branch out this year and trial some new school lunch ideas and share the more successful ones with you. Dining options are limited for me as I have wheat and cow's milk intolerances. Making my own lunch gets me round this pesky problem.

This sandwich idea is so simple. You place generous helpings of houmous between lightly toasted slices of bread (mine are wheat-free). Into that goes diced tomato, rocket and a sprinkling of black pepper. You may wish to add avocado and thinly sliced red onion too.

So light. So fresh. So chic.

Festive fuss and frills...

I previously created a post about adding embellishments to envelope seals, the idea being to put a little smile on someone's face before they got to the contents.

During the festive break, I made some apt labels and placed these on the seal of Christmas card envelopes. They were ridiculously simple to make. All you need are white sticky labels, some festive ideas and a steady hand. Once you've unleashed your inner Picasso, cut them out and stick. The best bit is when the recipient is convinced that they are shop bought and crafted by some professional type.

Think again because these are Chic Teacher originals!