BUMPED INTO...

... the father of two children I used to teach at Swarland, many moons ago. (That doesn't sound right! I used to teach the children many moons ago. I bumped into their father when I was in Morpeth earlier today!) He asked if I remembered his son. Now this could have been embarrasing as I must have taught hundreds of kids (if not thousands) during my career and with the best will in the world can't possibly remember them all - but this particular one I DID remember, VIVIDLY! And that in itself was embarrasing because I almost said, 'Of course I remember the little monster, how could I ever forget such a spoilt little brat.' But, just in time I caught myself and actually said, 'Of course I remember him! What's he doing these days?' And then kind of missed what his dad was saying because I was transported back to the time when I taught the Reception class (all 36 of them with NO help - those were the days!) and this particular child could cause chaos in the cleassroom within minutes - no, SECONDS - of being dropped off in the morning. He would climb on the furniture like a little monkey, totally untamed and had clearly never been disciplined at home. Yes - I remember him well!