Chris Cutforth's Blog

Time travel and a love of running I’ve been on my own this week which has meant I’ve had to be more organised than normal - it's been quite a challenge but I've just about managed.   Another busy week - a heavy work schedule plus, with Ailsa away, I’ve had to dash home most lunchtimes to walk the dog. “A dog is for life, not for Christmas” which is so true. Being greeted by those sulky eyes, clearly so pleased to see me and apparently thinking deep philosophical thoughts, has been a joy to behold - and then having to walk the legs off her before returning to the classroom in the afternoon has been the best stress buster in the world. Thank you Isla for keeping my busyness in perspective and improving my teaching by at least 20 per cent! Something really interesting happened in one of my classes this week. Towards the end of the seminar 2 students who clearly didn’t know each other very well started discussing their views on Christianity and sexuality. During the

Mr Forgetful and hairy ankles Lots to talk about this week - hopefully some of it will be of interest.  Met one of my former students on an afternoon dog walk (he was running, I was walking). Jedde spoke enthusiastically about his role in leading on PE teacher training at Manchester Met University, how much he was enjoying the responsibility and how appreciative he was of the learning he had acquired during his time at Sheffield Hallam. Nice to catch up Jedde - keep up the good work and keep on running! Finally approved around 30 students for their international placements this week. They’re travelling as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Japan  and Spain. It’s quite a responsibility checking they have everything in place for their trips - also deciding whether they are mature and resilient enough to represent both themselves and the University abroad. I am looking forward to learning more about their experiences when they return to the UK.  

Truth, sadness and a love of film  Last weekend we saw the Stephen Spielberg movie, The Post. You probably know the plot - it’s about the the Washington Post and the lies and secrecy of the US government's handling of the Vietnam war. The film starts slowly before gradually building to an exciting climax in which Meryl Streep, who plays the first female publisher of a major American newspaper, has to decide between exposing the truth about the war and the risk of prosecution and the survival of the newspaper her family has worked so hard to establish. Those of you with a good knowledge of American history or who have seen the film will already know her decision. It's a riveting movie with an uncanny resemblance to the Trump White House and its attitudes towards the mainstream media.    My son Luke's involvement in the film business is largely responsible for my renewed interest. I’m always on the lookout for good movies to go see; I read the reviews with a critical e

Rich and varied conversations It's been a depressing week weather-wise don't you think? - although slightly better on Thursday and Friday, I'll give you that. Roll on spring and summer  - we've booked a holiday to La Gomera at Easter to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, so that's something for us to look forward to. Last Sunday on the way to visit my 94 year old Dad in Huddersfield, I listened to one of my sporting idols, Roger Federer, winning his 20th grand slam whilst apparently, on the surface at least, barely breaking sweat. What an amazing sportsman and such a great role model - and he speaks four languages (three more than me) - such a talent.     Dad and I enjoyed lunch at a local farm shop, catching up on our respective news. Later we watched the highlights of aforementioned tennis match - I’m not sure if it’s more or less enjoyable watching one of your sporting heroes perform and win when you already know the result. The tears at the end s