Rift Valley Academy is in the second year of a four year set of themes, around which many aspects of school life are centred.

Last year the theme was “Absolute Surrender” (to Christ). This year the theme is “Balance”. The following years’ themes will begin with C and D, but I don’t know (or can’t remember) the details.

Finding balance as a returning teacher, in a new school, in a new country, on a new continent, following a new curriculum, and adjusting to many cultural differences, is not easy. Our faculty meeting this week explored practical hints about how to work smarter, not harder, which I tried to approach without the cynicism I might have had if I had heard this from a manager in industry. To be fair, there were some useful tips, from how to best plan copying of handouts needed in class, to making use of features of the learning management system to get students to grade their own work. Nevertheless, I have been drowning somewhat during the first couple of weeks of term.

I have been determined not to work on Sundays, even if this has meant long hours during the rest of the week. Everyone needs a break, for mental health reasons if nothing else. I have also maintained a strict regime of running 5 km twice a week. Both these things have helped.

One of the presents Lesley gave me for my recent birthday was a hammock. I have found somewhere in the garden where I can lie restfully on a weekend afternoon, and even have a snooze. The view out of the side of the hammock is pretty good:

And looking up at the leaves of the tree to which one end of the hammock is tied is also very therapeutic.

Lesley and I have also eaten in the school cafeteria a couple of times – they do a pretty good Sunday roast lunch, and it saves us having to cook every day.

All meals are eaten outside, to help reduce the chances of potential transmission of COVID between pupils. The weather is balmy and warm, so it is no hardship. And there is a clean-up team who takes care of any food which is left on the tables ….

Kenyan Elections

Today saw the swearing-in of William Ruto as president of Kenya. Everything seems to have remained calm, for which everyone is very thankful. A real answer to prayer, given the post-election violence which has occurred on previous occasions. A special flag raising ceremony was held at the school in honour of the new president, with the Kenyan national anthem being sung in Kiswahili and English.