Translation+

Is the learning in the meaning, or the meaning in the learning?
As Hucklow Primary gear up to go live they have translated the school's positive values into some of the languages spoken in school. Here's the Urdu version.

And here's the interesting thing; as we start to discuss whether the Urdu translation has EXACTLY the same meaning as the english words we start to uncover hidden meaning, and hidden clues. 'Keeping Calm' translates more like 'keeping yourself in one part (not falling apart). With all the languages in the world, is there, I wonder a word that means EXACTLY the opposite of 'Bully'?

And if there is, then let's start spotting that behaviour and using the word.

All together

I've just finished reading Malcolm Gladwell's 'Outliers'. The penultimate chapter shines a light on the importance of all year round learning. This means a 52 week calendar and active support for all children through those long periods out of school.

Gladwell cites test scores which show low income household children actually outperform their high income peers IN TERM but when the vacation comes they fall far behind. No more comfy academic years for school advisors and local authority consultants if we mean business. . . check out this link: http://www.gladwell.com/outliers/index.html

What became clear reading Outliers is the importance of someone having belief in you as a young person, and in them gently offering you experiences to develop abilities in subtle ways (such as the ability to express your needs in front of your GP) If only every child were afforded such a start in life. And that is exactly what Gladwell says is possible.