Chicken Nanban

Today was M's portfolio conference. I don't know if this is a common thing in schools where you are, but student centred learning is a big thing in my daughter's International School, and so instead of parents day/night, we go to school with our child, and she explains using a portfolio of her work from throughout the year, exactly what he has learned for the exorbitant fees I pay.

As a parent, the first time you experience this, it is a tad weird, especially when your host is a 4 year old! This time though (Grade 1, age 7, approximately Primary 2 in UK terms), I have to say I was impressed at the level of reading and writing skills in particular, and her presentation skills. She did a great job leading me around her classroom, and through the rest of the school, demonstrating PE, Music and IT knowledge. The teacher just said "hi".

Sending her to International School continues to be the hardest decision I have made, as the stability and "normality" of the local school would seem to be common sense, but today, I really felt that I am making the right choice.

I don't think the 15 year olds I teach every day could have led me around their school with as much poise as my baby did today.

What does this have to do with the photo?

M begged for this Miyazaki speciality for dinner. it's a real pain in the neck to make, and tonight was even more fun, with the somersaulting pan incident (see In Brief for Once for the results).

Anyway, making her favourite dinner didn't seem such a hassle for a proud Mummy!