I'm the Head Teacher, and what I say, goes!

So The Supreme Court has sided with the government over the right (or rather, non-right) of parents to take their children on holiday during term time.  Can't say I'm surprised, although I hope there was no improper arm-twisting.  The crucial point at the earlier hearing turned on the meaning of "regular attendance" (see 17/5/15) which the High Court accepted was an objective test and in this particular instance would be met by an attendance record of 90% or more. The Supreme Court took a different view and said "regular attendance" meant whatever the school said it did - in other words it was for the school to make its own rules on the matter.  You know my views - I think far too much power is being given to schools and far too little consideration is being given to parental views and wishes.  But I accept I'm clearly out of step here...

How many??

I've no wish to trivialise what is a serious matter - but why FIFTY NINE cruise missiles?  Strange number!

Did he or didn't he?

We have a saying round here (and maybe in other places as well) "Put up or shut up". President Trump stated that on Tuesday last, President Assad of Syria launched a "chemical weapons attack" against "men, women and children" in the Syrian town of Khan Sheikhoun.  And this was put forward as justification for an American strike against the airfield where the planes involved were said to have taken off from.  So because President Trump said it, it must be true?  He offered no supporting evidence - but then, he has a track record of making unsupported statements.  Maybe he's right - maybe he isn't, but I am a little concerned at the way our politicians (for the most part) are queueing up to support him.  If there is evidence, then let's hear it, otherwise a healthy scepticism would seem to be in order.

Place your bets...

My silly Grand National system this year picks Ucello Conti.  A reasonable each-way punt, I think. Good luck everybody

Ha ha

Molecule 1 - I just lost an electron
Molecule 2 - Are you sure?
Molecule 1 - I'm positive

You just can't please some people...

In past years, Church leaders have taken exception to the commercialisation of Easter - and understandably so.  This year, the National Trust have renamed their traditional Easter Egg Trail as The Great British Egg Hunt,  This has produced howls of outrage at the dropping of the word "Easter" - mainly from (you've guessed it) Church leaders!

Not the same...

Comparisons are being drawn between Gibraltar and the Falklands - but there is no similarity.  The Falkland Islands are ours by discovery and colonisation, and so our rights will always be open to conflicting claims. Gibraltar was ceded to us in perpetuity by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and therefore belongs to us - no question.

He, she and they.

Universities have traditionally been hotbeds of revolutionary ideas and long may it continue to be so, but an unfortunate side-effect is that it opens the door to nonsensical triviality.  Like the modern attack on language which is seen as "gendered".  So, it is suggested that you shouldn't use words like !mankind" or"manpower" for example, and one particular University has said that essays and dissertations which use "he" or "she" to describe people who could be of either sex (sorry! - gender) will be marked down as a result,  It is suggested that if you want to encompass both males and females you should use "they".  I think it's all a bit silly - how about you?

Fake news?

Well I scoured the papers yesterday, but, with one or two obvious exceptions, it was impossible to be certain what were April Fool stories and what were simply "well, would you credit it" stories.  Such is the effect of the current unease about the extent to which we can rely on what the media tells us being true.  I still have fond memories about the BBC's report on the "spaghetti harvest" back in the 50s - at least you knew where you stood back then.

Keep your eyes on the monkeys!

Well, it was on the cards - see post of 24/6/16 - and now it seems the cards have been dealt.  When we leave the EU, Gibraltar will leave with us and the remainder of the EU will, it seems, side with Spain in any dispute over sovereignty of the Rock. Not good news if you're a Gibraltarian.