As one of the highlights of my working week is writing the HT blog, as I get to reflect upon the week at school, I am excited to be back! Well almost back!? Apologises to start, as this is a long one, it is surprising how much more time you have in your life, when you are stuck in the house and not constantly utilising spare time with sports and activities… I got bored with TV a while back, after watching the Winter Olympics, and as in another life I would be a police officer I completed watching every single episode, ever made of 24 hours in police custody! I did move on to Ambulance, but I don’t like blood and gore, so that was short-lived!  

So, I have been off work for the last six weeks now, having never been off sick in my life, this is a unique situation and although it has been an experience, not one I want to ever repeat. The whole saga started with planned surgery at the end of Jan. The plan was to make a repair to my hamstring, as after a lifetime of sports there was only 20% of the hamstring still attached to the pelvic bone.  When that surgery was cancelled, I cracked on with my usual sporty habits… Which is where my philosophy, that in life, things happen for a reason, kicked into play. Four days after the cancellation, three shots into a padel match, which I was going to win, whilst stepping to return an easy forehand, I slipped. The court, unknown to me, was wet, and to the floor I went, ripping the whole hamstring off the bone. It hurt a lot. More than a lot. There are no words to describe how much! But would you know, my moment was shadowed, as one of the other players threw up at the sight of me falling over. It was my moment! How rude! Anyway, that was the start of my absence before half-term as the extensive and colourful bruising came out, and I rotated bags of frozen peas on the back of my leg, I was booked into hospital and ten days later, full hamstring reattachment surgery, and they repaired damage to the surrounding nerves. But I had done myself a favour. My fabulous consultant/surgeon was so excited to do a full repair, and he told me it made it an easier operation, especially with all the bruising. I don’t understand that, but I am a teacher, he is a medic, I go with what he says! I love working with children, I get excited about my job. Likewise, my surgeon was so excited prior to my surgery, as he enthusiastically told me what was about to take place. The next day, he couldn’t wait to tell me how well it went, how much blood there was from the bruising and how enjoyable it was. Are all the surgeons this excited? I don’t know, but it made me think it would have been a job well done. It's a bit like being with the staff at Westroyd!

So slightly longer off work, as I was in a fixed angled brace, 24/7, unable to use the leg at all for four weeks, whilst the repair settled in and embedded. Now I am learning to use the leg again and build up flexibility and strength and sit comfortably. But the journey back to school had started. I made a visit to school on Friday for the afternoon tea event. Our children are just the best. My big sister dropped me off outside the school fence, at lunchtime. Instantly, the children appeared, hands through the fence to carry things for me, asking after me. They are just so kind and caring. Once inside, I had most of KS2 desperate to do something for me, give me a hug or a high five and then to tell me their news. This is when I started to chuckle… What is classed as important news to a primary school child? If you have not seen someone that knows you well, what would you want them to know as a priority? I got told lots of headlines, from swimming achievements, to new cars, new haircuts, new shoes, birthdays I had missed, to an update about Ramadam. But, my favourite important bit of news had to be from one of my Y6 friends. Who silenced everyone with his, “Miss Pashley, have you heard?” Spoken in such a serious tone, he got my full attention as I panicked that the tone could indicate a death in the family or a major life-changing event had occurred in the last six weeks, was about to be shared…. “Miss, since you have been off, I started to go out with E, then broke up, and now I am in a relationship with L, seriously, it has been stressful” We had a hug and I acknowledged his stress!

So, as someone who has spent extensive time on their own, obsessed with one’s own recovery, it was great to be back in the real world, and my heart was touched. I walked into Y3, straight away one of the girls, turned around and said, “How are you feeling?” I said I was better for seeing everyone, but a bit grumpy sometimes when my leg hurts. What was her reply? “Don’t worry, it will get better soon, you need to take it slowly.” A seven-year-old giving me positive advice.  I only went to the door of Y2, not wanting to catch anyone with my crutch, and Arthur appeared immediately. One of our school counsellors and school ambassadors.  “So how are you doing, Miss Pashley?” using the same concerned tone that my physio uses! When I said, I am doing OK, Arthur, he said, “Good, we need your back, but only when you are better!” That was me told! It went on all afternoon. How are you? Can I help you? Do you want a cup of tea? Can I get you a chair? Do you need anything? Of course, I was also asked, can you play Uno? And a chap in Y3 asked me if I had still been doing park run? Then we giggled together, when he realised, having spotted my crutches, that that was unlikely!  A credit to their families and our school, such kind-hearted, caring individuals. I also got advice from one of our parents around what I should be eating to ease my pain and speed up recovery. I did try one of her suggestions, Tumeric milk, to ease inflammation. Certainly a good alternative to taking pain relief and, with time on my hands, I have been researching and learnt a great deal! Although the ginger shot, made my eyes water!

The afternoon tea event was a proper social event for all. The first time we have done it, and we have already evaluated how we could make it better for the time we run it in June. Showed our community spirit with such lovely socialising between parents and between the children. No wonder our children are so lovely and get on so well. Their parents do too! Rosie was there too, being hosted by two superfans in Y3. I did wonder, by how many times the boys filled up her water bowl, how many scone crumbs she scooped up off the floor?

Also, this week, it was a huge achievement for the school, as the incredible work we do to promote both the children’s physical and, very importantly, social, emotional and mental health has been recognised. On Thursday, Miss Martin, our PSHE and school mental health practitioner, hosted an assessor from the LA healthy schools’ team, to showcase everything we do, and do well. I met with the assessor online and, just like I said, everyone who visits our school says, “Gosh, you have delightful children in this school!” Obviously, we achieved the standard with bells on! Well done Miss Martin.

Well, I have questioned over the last few weeks, if they really need me in school, as they crack on without me, but I am back after one more week, when I am more mobile and more useful to everyone. Although I know I am not going to be short of individuals to help me out when I do return. When I came in, I made sure that Mr Popple’s secret, but not so secret stash of chocolate biscuits was topped up to last another week, and I left the staff a treat in the staff room to keep them happy… A dartboard.  They joked about it, so I did it. What could go wrong?! Glad I have done a risk assessment.