Here I am again. Over half way through a school summer holiday and feeling, several times an hour and in no particular order: Exhausted Anxious Grateful Guilty Optimistic Pessimistic Full of energy Depleted of energy Annoyed with myself Proud of myself. My usual holiday ADHD worry themes have kicked in, namely those around money and ..read more

“197 Swans and Cygnets” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license ..read more

Your face looks pained today You say And so I reply I’ve a thing in my eye My throat is quite sore There’s a muscle I tore It’s my hormones again I’ll feel better when….. And yet none of these tell Of the pain I know well Of the sadness inside Of the tears still uncried That nought can explain Neither sunshine nor rain Not hunger, not thirst Being last, being first Well slept or awake Somehow nothing can shake This feeling This feeling I feel. And so all I can do Is to take leave from you So the pain doesn’t spread Or seep out of my head To make you feel bad Or angry or sad This pain is all mi ..read more

This week we have been in our family happy place in France. It is a place of warmth, friendship, wine and golden orioles. Once, many years ago, we saw an oriole flying as we were out driving but since then, we have only ever heard their beautiful gurgling song from the treetops further down the village. Last year I wrote a poem about this elusive, beautiful bird and after returning home, had a tattoo done by a hugely talented local artist. Today was a day when the magic of the oriole returned. Out for a walk this morning and not just one but two showed up…. This morning as I ventured forth To ..read more

This is an anonymous guest blog. It was a coursework essay by a school pupil who was 17 years old at the time, and it was shared with me by their parent who is also a good friend. This parent is aware of the work I have done in partnership with the ADHD Foundation on their Umbrella Project in Aberdeen, and wanted me to read this piece. I asked if I could share it via my website, and both the author and the parent gave me permission to do so. I have published exactly as it was shared, with no edits. As you are about to experience, it is a profoundly moving piece that I feel every teacher should ..read more

“193 Annie Lennox” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license ..read more

On the days that you don’t feel it…. When everything aches, including your mind and soul…. When the bleak stories seem to crowd in…..When you can’t see the good….. look more intensely…… breathe more deeply….stretch more fully….and find the good. It is always there. The smell of honeysuckle Catching you a-chuckle An open passion flower A warm refreshing shower The raindrops on the leaves The black dog as she breathes These moments glimmer through From where the sky is blue ..read more

This week on holiday I have been reading the fabulous book “How To ADHD” by Jessica McCabe. It is a book that gives us permission. To be who we are. To do what we need. And not to do, with respect but without guilt, what doesn’t serve us. A poem. I try so hard To meet deadlines Give feedback Show up. Maybe because I need Others To meet deadlines Give feedback Show up. And when they don’t I feel As if I don’t Exist. Except that I do. So my feedback To me Is that I can I am I’ve passed And Moved On ..read more

“Sculpture in JMSLH” flickr photo by NomadWarMachine shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license ..read more

Today feels like a good day. As a teacher and head teacher, I am aware of the need to offer balanced political views to the children I serve. I am also unable, however, to stay silent in the face of political actions that fail to promote the best interests of the children and other most vulnerable members of society. The very fact that we now have a UK Prime Minister who was previously a human rights lawyer makes me feel that perhaps, here on our island at the top of the European continent, something exciting is about to happen. A long term plan. Trust. A proven track record in serving others ..read more