Tuesday 10th February 2026

It was yet another busy day for me at the Royal International School (see https://ris.lk if you are interested in finding out a bit more about the school). I have been tasked with coaching/mentoring two of the Sectional Heads - Priyani in Grades 5 and 6, and Lalanga in Grades 7 and 8. This morning, I had 3 joint lesson observations with Lalanga - one English, one maths, and one geography, which were an enjoyable way to coach/mentor Lalanga.

In the afternoon, I had 2 joint lesson observations with Priyani - one English and one public speaking before having a feedback session with Ravi and Buddhika and two retired supporters of the school. I obviously only have limited time to have any sort of impact, but I have been very encouraged by the work I have done so far, and I am hopeful that I will have made some difference to the leadership and management of the school before I leave.

My limited time remaining includes three more weekends before I fly home weeks' tomorrow. As I am on my own so much during the week here, I have ensured that I go away each weekend for some company. This weekend I am going to Galle, next weekend near Sigiriya, with my final weekend being in Colombo. I haven't yet got to know people here in the same way that I do with my Tamil friends in the Hill Country, but I have known many of them since 2019.

I am resting quite a lot in the late afternoon and evening, largely because I am quite tired after a full day at school, but also because of the heat. I am very fortunate that the apartment is a very comfortable place to rest in, and having my breakfast and dinner provided for me during the week is obviously a huge blessing in terms of not having to cook for myself. All things considered, I am delighted to be here once again, and I am enjoying the experience enormously.

Today's photographs are all from my lesson observations with Lalanga and Priyani.









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