As we finished praying for Megan this morning, Poppy looked puzzled. "Why Megan go to fancy dress party?" A few seconds later realisation dawned, "Aah... she's not going to a fancy dress party, she's going to Frances Bardsley." Emma and I barely managed to stifle our chuckling.
After years of home-educating (we prefer that term to 'home-schooling'), Megan starts at secondary school in September... at Frances Bardsley School for Girls.
It's been a bit of a journey for her, and for us... neither Emma nor I have been big fans of the schooling-system (we prefer that term to 'education-system') for a long time, and for a variety of reasons. However, many of our closest friends are (frankly amazing) teachers... and bizarrely, if I wasn't doing this national director role with 24-7prayer, I'd probably try to get into teaching in some form. I thrive amongst enthusiastic learners. (Maybe my teacher-friends would question the quantities of these 'enthusiastic learners' in their schools?)
Anyway, today was Megan's 'taster day', which she loved. I say 'loved', but her feedback was something like, "I did art and maths... the art was great!"
Emma's also been buying-up the obligatory second-wardrobe's worth of school-clothes (mostly greens and yellows). At the parent's evening earlier this week, Headmistress Mrs Phillips made it very clear that (to be read in 'proper' English, 'Mallory Towers'-like accent) "our girls will be well dressed in proper school uniform, at all times... with absolutely no make-up... and no jewellery, except a wrist-watch."
To tell you the truth, I really like Mrs Phillips - in fact, I've liked all the teachers I've met there so far - and I think that Megan will really love it at Frances Bardsley School for Girls. (She loves 'Mallory Towers' books. It'll be like living in her own story! Ha ha.)
As we filed out of the beautifully preserved, hundred-year-old school-hall, I smiled at the back wall... stuck all over it were bits of paper and post-it notes with various scribbled words. This, believe it or not, is the school prayer wall. I'm hoping to be helping out with some workshops on prayer next term... but more on that another time.
For now, please do pray for Megan as she adjusts to a new rhythm of life - pray that she will be confident and unafraid, fully herself, and a blessing to others. And pray that she makes new friends throughout the school. Thanks...
And here's Frances Bardsley herself. :o)



She looks gorgeous... I mean Megan, obviously! Hope all goes well on this new adventure for her.
Posted by: Tim the Enchanter | Saturday, 28 June 2008 at 10:33 AM
Hey megan this is emma you look nice. See you in school.
Posted by: Emma Tidby | Thursday, 04 December 2008 at 06:20 PM
She looks gorgeous.Thanks for posting this blog.
http://www.props-n-frocks.co.uk/
Posted by: Adele Wiseman | Thursday, 08 October 2009 at 01:38 PM