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JANUARY 2025
17 January 2025
24 January 2025
31 January 2025
Friday 17 January 2025.
Richard writes
We've done it. School of the Air has begun and the first week is now all on our website, obviously in the School of the Air section.
Producing the first of anything is always the hardest part and that has been true with these videos.
First you have to decide the format, then design all the little integral parts and finally film and edit the video, not
really knowing if it will all fit together satisfactorily. We made a couple of pilots just for us but this was the real thing.
I can reveal here that I am obviously not happy with what we've done. I should clarify that by adding that as a perfectionist
I am never happy with anything I do, apart from being alive each day which, so far, seems to be going as well as it could. Having said all
that, I am genuinely pleased with what we have uploaded, delighted with some of the comments we have had and happy in the knowledge that we
can get better and it will become easier.
Overall it's been a tough week; one when I wonder why I keep doing this and then hear those comments and answer that question with
alacrity (book, Molly, maybe). Besides, what else could I do but vegetate and become a hermit. Molly has not been at her best this week, joining the many with this
winter flu and Lola has had a few sniffles too.
But, it's Friday, the weekend lies ahead and then we're off again. I hope you will join us as we travel to Essex, join Pip the Pixie
in some shivery weather, enjoy the first (ooops that won't be so easy) of our historical have a goes in times gone by and get busy making some bird
feeders for our feathered friends. Now what. Well, dark room, lie down and soothing music come to mind. If only my mind and body were connected in some way.
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Friday 24 January 2025.
Molly writes
In regard to the last blog by Richard, yes, we sure have finally done it. The School of the air project has been a
big part of our conversations for well over a year now, it's super exciting to have reached this point where our project has
finally launched. I feel really proud to be a part of someting that I'm so passionate about and that I hope will benefit
so many children. I'm keen to inspire as many as possible to go outdoors and take notice of the many wonders found in nature.
Our world is so beautiful and full of magical things to induce awe and promote ones well-being.
Richard and I are so grateful for the support and encouragement of others. We wouldn't have been able to do this without
a helping hand from sponsors and like-minded fellows who can see the potential, importance and need for our resources. We wouldn't
have been able to do it without holding patience and without believing in each other, believing that adversity wouldn't rock us out
of our boat. This last year has been a roller-coaster both professionally and personally. I thought I was done with roller-coasters
at the end of 2023 but no, it seems I was due another ride (a more bumpier one) not too long after the last bringing all doubt in my
mind of anything good coming my way. Richard and I have stayed strong, patient and passionate as ever to ensure our project launches
and here we are.
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Friday 31 January 2025.
Richard writes
Time for another blog. We've completed week 3 of the School of the Air and all is positive. Your comments encourage us
but views on our site and YouTube channel are good too. One of the things about this job is that we could be helping hundreds of
home educators and not really know it. That's fine, because our aim is to help, but it makes what we do seem a little more remote.
More so than what I could see when I was at Molly's Forest School. Don't get me wrong. Don't all decide you have to write to us.
You don't. I was just reflecting on something and saying how the viewing figures are good for us to see.
Two comments relating to advice now. Firstly I was watching television "live" a couple of nights ago. It was QI and before
the programme the continuity announcer said "and now a change to the published edition". He didn't say why but in any form of broadcast
material, things sometimes have to change. For that reason I would suggest that although we have videos each day of the week, Friday
will start at the end of March, you may find it better to watch them slightly later, they will be there forever (ish) so it doesn't'
matter. It's not like missing a school lesson. But, if there is a technical hitch for us or a third party you and your child aren't
sitting there waiting. Even following us a week later, if you want to use our topic days, would work.
And that leads me to the second advice bit and this time it's from you to us. Some people, both home educators and teaches,
have asked why we are not having any breaks this year; no half terms or holidays. Indeed a few have asked us if we would consider those
breaks. Our reason, or one of them, was that we wanted to fit everything into a calendar year and begin our two-year journey at the start
of another calendar year. That concept is not fixed in stone and so we would like to hear from you with your thoughts. We could combine
these two ideas and keep going through the February half term, you ignore us so you are then a week behind, and then take other breaks and
school holidays.
What do you think? Let us know by writing to admin@owlbut.co.uk and we will give you
our decision in our blog of 14th February. We look forward to hearing from you.
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