Golden Achievements Mark 2

[mundia]

Yes I know we had mark one of this thread way back in the summer, where we all shared our success stories for the academic year. Well we have loads of new members since then, so I thought we should do it again.

 

It's great to finish the year especially with the run up to Christmas, with a feel good thread. So have a think, what have been your greatest moments in 2004?

It could be a succes at work, a new job, or something that has happened at home, anything goes as long as you're happy to share it.

 

And of course, we wouldnt be sharing our acheivements if it was not for the success of the FSF this year, so well done guys for making this the community it is.

 

Over to you then...

[Steve]

Well I'd like to start off the challenge Mundia - but by declaring the achievements of three other people!

 

Any genuine community depends on its reliable rock solid stalwarts, and I'd like to thank Mundia, Susan and Linda McDowell for their work in making this community what it is. There are many others who deserve to be mentioned, and I hope it's not rude to leave you out, but I'd then have the problem of when to stop. I think you know who you are anyway! (*)

 

But the aforementioned three have stood the test of time and stamina(**), offering moral and practical support and a warm welcome to everyone since way back in the middle of 2003 when the Forum first began to establish itself.

 

Like the swans that glide so serenely through the water, disguising the frantic paddling that goes on beneath the surface, a lot of work and talk goes on behind the scenes of the FSF. Encouraging and developing the real community spirit that exists here doesn't happen by itself, and you don't need to look much further than these three to identify those who have nurtured and fostered the principles that so many others have adopted and extended. Many thanks to you!

 

Didn't mean to hijack your topic Mundia - I forbid anyone else to follow me and start nominating others! The rest of this topic should be about the member's own achievements.

 

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(*) Some have written articles and/or offered generous and enthusiastic support in your own areas of expertise, others have generously donated plans, pictures and other resources, and many more have been unstinting in their welcomes and advice to newer members of the community - many thanks to you all!

 

(**) In terms of stamina I mean, not least, the stamina to endure my private witterings and musings through the ages...

[Rea]

Forbid us???!!!! Ok O mighty one, I wont thank the achievements of everyone for their help, support and advice when ever I've needed it, and I wont acknowledge Sue R's achievement in setting up the links.

Instead I will say that I've finally finished the APEL for the DPP, I didnt NEED to do it, just wanted a test myself and I'm glad to say 'I've passed'.(phew) I've also found the courage to let my hair revert back to it's natural colour after putting it off for years, and found that grey does not suit me! And I was brave enough to hand in my notice after being there for 9 years

[Susan]

Thanks Steve, I shall disappear into a corner now and have a little weep!

 

Its been a pleasure to be involved and through the trials and tribulations of my working life this year FSF has kept me going. That really feels as if its been my major achievement this year, as there have been many times when to disappear into a hole has seemed very tempting but I have kept going with this lifeline in place! I have made new and some very dear friends, who have restored my faith in humanity and as I am beginning to see Mundia's stars, I can laugh again and look forward to a different 2005.

 

There are many joys in the world although we are often too busy to see them or to fully appreciate them and I know that rediscovering laughter has been a turning point in my own journey.

 

Will that do Mundia?

[hali]

Well said Steve.....

 

Mine has to be getting an excellent Ofsted report and passing accreditation scheme as well..................also surviving two xmas parties today :wacko:

 

As others have said this site helps you through anything thank you to everyone

[Guest alisonjayne]

My achievement this year was landing a fantastic jobin September as Nursery leader, I had forgotten what a hard term this one alway is but I have made it through my first term with just the christmas party left on Thursday. Only one Hali

[Carol]

Hi all

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

 

My acheivements are:

Receiving the Foundation Stage Quality Assurance Award

Passing the Level 3 CACHE CPD course

And staying calm and enjoying my job all year!!!!

 

Carol

[Sue R]

Um,

 

Well, I might have said getting through the op. in April, at which time I discovered this site (thanks again!), only as some know, that went pear-shaped last month. So I'll have to think about it for a bit!

 

Although the year did start with a bang with an excellent Ofsted?

 

Sue

[wellerkaren]

merry christmas everyone

my greatest achivement this year is pasting my nvq4 in management.

finding this site agiain.

[Gezabel]

Oh dear maybe its the wrong time for me to be reading this thread but there is only one achievement I can think of right now. IT's hot off the press as I discovered it about two hours ago!! I logged on for my latest OU course result and to my genuine amazement found this message:

 

"Distinction, well done you have achieved the highest score result status possible!"

 

WHen I come down off cloud 9 I am sure there are other, greater achievements I

I will think of, sure there are many relating to the children in my setting but sorry for now I can't think!!!

[Sue R]

Well done Geraldine!!!!!

 

I was thinking of doing the degree, how have you found it??

 

Sue

[Guest]

Thank you Steve.

My great achievement this year is yet to come-on Friday in fact. I will have owned and managed my pre-school for 15 years. There have been many lows but even more highs. I have thought on many occasions "We won't still be here this time next year" but we are. And I am determined that we will keep going until the time I come to retire and beyond if I can get somebody to take it on.

Thank you to everybody who has posted on this site for their support and friendship-especially Mundia, Susan, Steve and Helen.

Linda

[Gezabel]

It's been great Sue!!

 

I am half way to the FD now. All the course I have done have been presented by the OU for the first time so to a degree (ha! no pun intended!!) students have been guinea pigs, there are bound to be teething problems with anything new.

 

The course teams seem to have taken on board the niggles raised by students which will hopefully tweek future presentations and make life easier for students.

 

I am doing two courses next year (one starts in Feb and the other in May) and then the final course in 2006.

 

I think its really just a case of organising yourself timewise to allow for study in relation to family/work life etc. I wouldn't say the courses have been academically difficult but working out what they want from you in the assignments was occasionally frustrating!!

 

Overall I would have no hesitation in saying GO for it!!

[mundia]

seems like a pretty major achievement to me Geraldine, so you stay on cloud nine as long as you want to, enjoy it.

 

and you can always add more when you think of them, we are not restricting to one.

[Beau]

Its always strange to look back on a year and see how far you've come and to reflect on it's highs and lows. This year has been like most others - a real roller coaster at times! However, the best bits for me personally were completing my SVQ3 and on the same day my assessor told me, embarking on my A1 Assessors training. But more importantly meeting lots of new friends and one special friend in particular (even if she is a bit crackers at times ). Life really can't get any better than that, can it.

[catma]

Being very brave and buying a new car on my own!!!

Loving my new job to bits

Meeting all sorts of lovely people through the new job.

Feeling successful, confident and valued again.

Having perfectly good health for a whole year. (As long as I take the tablets!!)

 

 

Here's to another year of chat, debate and excellent company!

[mundia]

Excellent catma, especially the being valued again, and the good health for a year.

 

Linda, how did you celebrate your 15 years, hope it didnt slip by ?

 

And to everyone who has completed courses, got new jobs, etc, doesnt it make you feel good?

 

But We'd love to hear more.....

[Guest]

No Mundia, it didn't just slip by. We finished work yesterday. party day, and then went out for lunch together. We used the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and my 15 years!

Linda

[Sue R]

OK, mundia!

 

I've thought of something!

 

Having reached the great age of 51 leading a dog-phobic existence (Mum says it's because I was terrorised by one in toddlerhood ), our daughter excitedly took us to her car one dark February evening whispering "Would you like to meet her" - note, no '?' just the assumption!! We were met by a rather cute dog sitting composedly on the back seat, that I assumed was 'rescued', because of the size, and felt the utmost trepidation that I would have to associate with 'it'.

 

'it' is a bitch called Nanoo, a Wolf/Alaskan Malamute cross. She only looked big because I didn't know what she was, she was actually only barely 6 weeks. She is now almost one, HEAPS bigger and my absolute darling! (Sorry Sue!) The sweetest natured animal EVER, fun and comfort and love all in one. And very much Wolf, with a little bit of the other.

 

So this year has seen me conquer a lifetime phobia =- although, I'm still wary of dogs I don't know!!

 

Does this qualify??

 

Sue

[Gezabel]

Well done Sue

 

It certainly is an achievement and hope you are chuffed with yourself

 

There may be hope for me yet then! My 50th is just around the corner and at the age of 6 I nearly drowned during a swimming lesson. The instructor made us play ring a ring a roses in the pool but as the game progressed the circle moved further and further down the pool. One minute my feet touched the bottom and the next they didn't!! I don't remember much else apart from vague memories lying by the side of the pool and I have never been in a swimming pool since! My lads can all swim like fish but the very thought terrifies me

[Sue R]

Oh, Geraldine!

 

That is awful, I have a very dear friend in a similar situation - she will do anything - bungee, parachute, drive tractors, but show her water and she freezes.

We have a small reservoir nearby and she has worked out a contingency plan for passengers in her car if she ever drives into it (as if she would!!), nothing for her though. She says, she'll freeze up and that'll be that!! I intend to take her to the local pool and slowly get her 'paddling', then treat her to lessons. They've got a great Instructor who specialises in adult 'phobics'.

 

Sue

[mundia]

of course it qualifies Sue, we did say anything goes.

I think conquering a fear or phobia is a pretty major achievement so well done.

 

Keep 'em coming, please