Thursday 12th February 2026

I started off today watching two very good lessons in Grades 5 and 6 - one English and one maths - and I then did a document scrutiny during my break time, before observing a history lesson.  After that, I went back to Grades 7 and 8, where I observed an excellent Buddhism lesson, and another English lesson. I relaxed in the apartment for a while in the afternoon, before going back into school for a feedback session with Madam Sandra and Managing Director Ravi.

The highlight of my day was being invited out for dinner at Dinura's home this evening. Madam Sandra has been incredibly good to me, and she has invited me to her home on many occasions, and also to her brother's home, and her daughter's home in Colombo, but this was the first time in 3 visits to Kurunegala that I have been to anyone else's home for dinner, and I actually felt quite moved by the whole occasion, as it was a really lovely evening with Dinura and his family.

I first met Dinura in February last year when he was Head Boy at the Royal International School, and experiencing a few issues with his studies, so I volunteered to meet up with him to provide him with some mentoring. This mentoring continued when I returned to the UK, meeting up with him regularly online to offer him encouragement with his 'A' Level studies. I established a very good rapport with him, and his parents were very grateful for the support that I gave him.

In fact, when I arrived at Dinura's lovely home, his parents gave me a beautiful gift of elephants carved in relief on a tablet of stone (quite heavy!), as a thank you for all the mentoring sessions that I spent with Dinura. His mother was a veterinarian with her own practice in Colombo, which she gave up when she had her family, and his father is a paediatrician. I had a wonderful meal with them, and the best social evening I have had for a long time.

Today's photographs are of this morning's lesson observations and my lovely time at Dinura's home this evening. It was an evening that lifted my spirits greatly!













Comments

  1. CharlesFebruary 13, 2026 at 1:07 AM

    You've certainly been busy with observations and feedback. I wonder how you found the Buddhism lesson? How lovely that you have been rewarded with a special dinner for your efforts in helping Dinura - and the elephants look wonderful (I know someone who will agree with that!)

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