It seems incredible we're already at half-term at KISU, and we find ourselves already a year on from Kilimanjaro Climb and two weeks away from IB mock exams. Tobes is following in Grace’s footsteps and the workload is both piling-up and being fought-back on a daily basis. However, Friday brought a little light relief in the form of the annual International Day, which I had never seen. Given it was our last, and besides, that the UK had the “focus tent” thanks to HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and London 2012, the Brits were celebrating en masse. Over 50 different nationalities from 2-18 years plus additional staff and parents took to the field and made quite a spectacle. The Ugandan contingent being the largest group, singing their National Anthem so proudly to kick everything off, meanwhile I attempted, but failed, to control the tears rolling down my cheeks observing the patriotism.

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On the WTA staff this term, we have just welcomed the wonderfully named Miss Christmas Justine. But interesting names and labels are everywhere to be found.

Each week, I take S4 for a booster English lesson - already with the end of year exams in mind. But I do infiltrate the more formal teaching with plenty of colloquial English - often contradicting the Uglish expressions which fill their essays. Uglish is that unique and wonderful brand of English and Ugandan English (even a FB group in its own right! www.facebook.com/uglish ). As with exercise books all over the world, students are supposed to write their name, class, teacher etc... In the set I have just been marking, (54 down, only another 32 to go....), the English books have some interesting labels to show that it is my group 'Eng.White' (!) ' Mzungu English' and English: Madam Elispeth, Elpheth, Elesph. I blame my parents for not choosing Elizabeth as an easier name! To those who didn't hand in their work, I have heartlessly named and shamed them on a list in the library, threatening terrible things.

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RESULT !
In the words of Charles' text: " We have just collected the results of our candidates. Thank GOD everybody passed, although we missed a lot of good grades due to determinant [Maths+some English] subjects"

It seems an age since S4 took their O' level exams last October... but finally the results were released this week. In short - the results are much better than last year, so big smiles all round! It is a very complicated and confusing mark system, to the uninitiated, - the 8 best subject marks create an aggregate grade -with Division 1 being the best and Division 9 a total fail. This is the first year that WTA has had its own official exam centre - we were all anxious to know what difference this would make, as well the effect of new teachers.

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Pictures always convey more than words. Uganda is the only country that allows motorcycles into the game parks - without the need for a ranger to accompany to make sure you are not eaten! And it is just amazing. Breathtaking beauty, loads of game and all senses seriously heightened.

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Arriving by boda from the main road - regulation trunk, mattress, bucket, jerry can, books - all balanced on top.

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Not sure what everyone is laughing at here – other than my inability to set up the 10second selftimer plus make it into the picture in a dignified manner.

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Sometimes conversations here show how our worlds collide. I was sitting with our fencer and guttering man yesterday (Moses, he is also a pastor of a local church and a great supporter of the school) when the subject of Christmas came up. Sitting there in the heat of a hot day trying to explain what Christmas is like in the UK was mind bending. He just could not understand the big deal about Christmas shopping and gifts however much I explained it. He was also horrified to understand that 100% of people in the UK  would not be going to church on the day. "Then what is Christmas all about in your country?" Difficult especially as the idea of having spare money for gifts here is again so foreign. Uncomfortable to say the least.

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Empty school .... not a pupil in sight... it looks very clean, but it is much too quiet for me.. so in their own words, here is what some of them had to say and write before they left for the long  holidays...

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Ok, you all know that we are building a health education centre and that progress is running along nicely....it is looking good and now ready for the roof. The building team have done a great job as it all seems level, square with vertical walls!

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Never mind taking Kampala by storm… (see Geoff’s last blog) the Serve Direct team certainly took WTA and the Lukomera community by storm… they left last night and we are just about recovering from their whirlwind of activity and energy. In fact they will have recently landed back at Heathrow, so if you know any of them, ask them how it was – and be prepared to listen!

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