Extra-curricular life at Muritai

I was really impressed with year 3 teacher Sarah Drinkwater tonight. She was out at 3.00 with 22 6-7 year olds working with them to develop their netball skills, with parents Astrid Cheyne and Hillary Beadle in support. Sarah is a fantastic first year teacher, much loved by the children and she has the right ethic. One of the things our teachers have to do is contribute something else to the school environment beyond just classroom teaching. Teachers are passionate about doing their best for the children that they teach but classroom management is just one string to their bow. Staff at Muritai spend much of their additional spare time, in their lunchtimes or after school, working with the children in some context and this creates extra opportunities for them. It adds to their workload but is vital as it adds to the children's experiences at school.  Our annual school production is an example of this - so much work but great fun and very satisfying and the kids just grow so much through the process. Eastbourne has so much going for it with strong club and activities for children. These are all run by adults and parents. The media laments the loss of the outdoor lifestyle but in Eastbourne it is central to what makes it so special.