For the last four terms the Class 5’s (now the Class 6’s) have been creating little wooden boats in woodwork. It has been fantastic to witness how this process seems to ‘meet them just where they need to be met’, in terms of their development as human beings.

They carve out (with their amazing hands) the inner part first and then shape the outside with chisels, planes, rasps and sandpaper. It can be tricky for them at times, as you could imagine! They forge ahead though with youthful enthusiasm, grace and skill.

Sadly, I was away the day they took them home, but by wonderful coincidence happened to be passing by as they walked them across the oval to their respective parents. It was a heartwarming moment to see all the various coloured sails catching the light in the sunshine that day! I trust they keep them for this lifetime as a tiny memento of their Class 5 epoch!

By a second lovely coincidence, the new group of Class 5’s are literally turning their hands to a chisel for the first time this week, in an effort to create another fleet worthy of sailing the Greek isles in the Mediterranean! They will (the current 5’s) also create a Romanesque ‘Horse of Troy toy’ – like the 6’s did in a ‘mostly finished’ way!

The Class 7’s (dovetail boxes) and 10’s (furniture) have also completed some outstanding works this year and I dearly hope they too last a lifetime and fulfil many practical purposes.

There will most probably be a third lovely coincidence! Perhaps it could be some exquisite mystery, or an extraordinarily beautiful moment with nature, music, loved ones, people, animals, etc – in the ever-unfolding moments of our lives!