Saturday 10th February 2024

I just had one full day in Blackpool before heading off to Kurunegala tomorrow, but I needed some rest too today, so I slept in a little and then caught up with my emails, before heading into Nuwara Eliya around 12:00. I got a lift into town with Chooty, and he dropped me off by the Bus Station, so that I could do a bit of shopping. I then went to The Grand Hotel to have a bit of lunch, and to do some preparation work for my trip to the Royal International School in Kurunegala.

I was tucked away in a corner, and I was surprised when I came to leave that Miggy, Isabelle and Asini were sat having lunch just round the corner from me, so I joined them for a little bit, because I was then able to stay on at The Grand Hotel with Isabelle to interview her for next month's Tea Leaf Times, as James wants to do a regular feature on the contribution volunteers make. The interview went very well, then we walked into town together.

I did a bit more shopping in town, but then came back to The Grand Hotel and had a chat with my wife Val, before getting on with more preparations for my visit to the Royal International School in Kurunegala. I had a chat with Tharika on WhatsApp about my visit, which has been planned very meticulously. I have been given a very full timetable, which I have tagged on at the end below, so that you can see just how busy I am going to be over the next few days!

I then spent a lovely evening having a farewell dinner with Isabelle and Asini at The Grand Indian Restaurant. It has been such a positive experience for me to be with Miggy, Stephanie,  Isabelle, and Asini during this visit to Sri Lanka. I have been the Volunteers Co-ordinator for almost a year now, and these four volunteers have really been an absolute pleasure to be with over these past few weeks. Tea Leaf has been very fortunate to have each one of them volunteering.

Tonight's photographs show my fellow volunteers. The first photograph is of me having a farewell meal with Isabelle and Asini at The Grand Indian Restaurant this evening and the second photograph is of Miggy with Stephanie (previously used). I have then popped in the video that Asini finished editing today for World Pulses Day. Finally, you have a glimpse of my crazy timetable in Kurunegala!

                                                                   

Date	Time	Event
11-Feb-24	11:00 AM	Picking up Keith from Nuwara Eliya Town
	3:00 PM	Arrival @ the Hotel
	7:00 PM	Dinner (Madam Sandra, MD Sir, Ms. Agatha, Ms. Tharika, another 2 persons)
12-Feb-24	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at school
	08:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Meeting with Principal, DHM & the Coordinators
	9:00 AM - 9:40 AM	Observation in UKG A class Number period with Ms. Nimesha Rathnayaka
	9:40 AM - 10:20 AM	Observation in UKG D class Number period with Ms. Thahany Ghany
	10:50 AM - 11:30 AM	Observation in UKG K class Number period with Ms. Fathima Rashana
	11:30 AM - 12:10 PM	Observation in UKG G class Number period with Ms. Dilki Hewage
	12:10 PM - 12:50 PM	Observation in UKG B class Number period with Ms. Niluka Ranasingha
	1:00 PM - 1:30 PM	Feedback Session with the Teachers
	1:30 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at SS
	2:15 PM	Grammar Workshop for English teachers (PP/JS/SS)
	4:15 PM	Picking up from SS and dropping at the Hotel
	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at PP
	8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Meeting the English Team
	8:40 AM - 9:10 AM	Observation in LKG D class Language period with Ms. Yunali Fernando

13-Feb-24	9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Observation in LKG E class Number period with Ms. Ishani Weerasinghe
	10:10 AM - 10:40 AM	Observation in LKG G class Language period with Ms. Rasadya Rathnayaka
	10:40 AM - 11:10 AM	Observation in LKG H class Number period with Ms. Waruni Wanniarachchi
	11:10 AM - 11:40 AM	Observation in LKG J class Number period with Ms. Sachithra Dissanayaka
	11:40 AM - 12:10 PM	Observation in LKG K class Language period with Ms. Fathima Siddra
	1:.00 PM - 1:30 PM	Feedback Session with English Team
	2:15 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at the Hotel
14-Feb-24	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at PP
	8:.00 AM - 8:30 AM	Briefing the Principal, DHM & the Coordinators on Observations
	9:.00 AM - 9:40 AM	Observation in UKG A class English period with Ms. Mujahidha Kamil
	9:40 AM - 10:20 AM	Observation in UKG class English period with Ms. Shimla
	10:50 AM - 11:30 AM	Observation in UKG D class English period with Ms. Chathumini Malindi
	11:30 AM - 12:10 PM	Observation in UKG D class English period with Ms. Ilma Shyam
	1:00 PM - 1:30 PM	Feedback Session with the Teachers & the Coordinators
	2:15 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at the Hotel
15-Feb-24	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at PP
	8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Briefing the Principal, DHM & the Coordinators on Observations
	8.40 AM -9.10 AM	Observation in LKG A class Language with Ms. Thanuja Chandrasiri
	9.10 AM -9.40 AM	Observation in LKG B class Number period with Ms. Harshani Ekanayaka
	10.10 AM -10.40 AM	Observation in LKG C class Language period with Ms. Sanduni Senevirathne
	10.40 AM -11.10 AM	Observation in LKG F class Number period with Ms. Eshika Sumanarathna

	11.10 AM -11.40 AM	Observation in LKG I class in Number period with Ms. Dulanjalee Wimalaguna
	11.40 AM -12.10 PM	Observation in LKG L class Number period with Ms. Shalini SIlva
	1.00 PM - 1.30 PM	Feedback Session with the Teachers and the Coordinators
	2:15 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at the Hotel
16-Feb-24	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at PP
	9:00 AM - 9:40 AM	Observation in UKG C class Number period with Ms. Wathsala Ranasingha
	9:40 AM - 10:20 AM	Observation in UKG E class Number with Ms. Gayani Chandima
	10:50 AM - 11:30 AM	Observation in UKG J class Number period with Ms. Prasadhi Upeksha
	11:30 AM - 12:10 PM	Observation in UKG H class Number period with Ms. Himashi Jayasundara
	12:10 PM - 12:50 PM	Observation in UKG F class Number period with Ms. Krushika Fernando
	1:15 PM - 2:15 PM	Session with LKG & UKG Maths Teachers, Class Teachers & Co-Teachers
	1:30 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at SS
	2:30 PM	A session with the Heads at RIS SS (Aps, SHs)
	4:15 PM	Picking up from SS and dropping at the Hotel
17-Feb-24		Suggession was to have a teacher programme for Grade 01 teachers
18-Feb-24	8:30 AM	Heading to Dambulla (Mr. Keith, Madam Sandra, Ms. Agatha, Ms. Tharika, Ms. Agatha's daughter
19-Feb-24	7:30 AM	RIS PP Visit - Picking up Keith from the hotel and dropping at PP
	8:40 AM - 9:10 AM	Observation in Nursery G class Number period with Ms. Sanyatha Senadheera
	9:10 AM - 9:40 AM	Observation in Nursery H class Number period with Ms. Dilini Subasingha
	10:00 AM - 10:30 AM	Observation in Toddler A class Story Time period with Ms. Sashika Adhikari
	10:40 AM - 11:10 AM	Observation in Nursery E class Number period with Ms. Nethmi Weerasooriya

	11:10 AM - 11:40 AM	Observation in Nursery J class Language period with Ms. Milini Hansamali
	2:15 PM	Picking up from PP and dropping at the Hotel
20-Feb-24	8:00 AM	Heading to Bogawanthalawa