Maud's Diary

This is the diary of Maud Spellbody. She’ll be updating the diary and commenting each week so that you can follow her adventures as she prepares for witch school this January. There's lots to learn so she'll need your help along the way.

We passed - woohoo! I'm so happy!!! I'll miss my friends so much, but I can't wait for more magical adventures next year. Well met!

Oh my hat! The worst thing has happened. Agatha has taken over the school and Mildred has been expelled. I had to tell Miss Hardbroom that Millie broke the rules about leaving school grounds to save her from Agatha. I just hope she understands. Did I do the right thing?

This year has flown by! It's almost the end of year and we have exams soon. I'm finding it hard to concentrate on my revision because I'm so worried about Millie. I think I'll make her a revision timetable to help her. Is there anything else I can do?

My Grandma Mona told me about a time when she was at Cackle's and the school was surrounded by a really thick mist. She said lots of crazy things happened but she won't have been involved - us Spellbody's try to stay out of trouble! What do you think happens in the 'mists of time'?

This is Miss Pentangle - she's so glamourous. Her school has just won the semi finals of the Annual Spelling Bee. As Cackle's won last time, we'll automatically be in the final! Who do you think should be in the Cackle's team?

My auntie sent me this new styling brush. I'm going to let Mildred borrow it to cheer her up. She's been a bit distracted lately because she doesn't know where her magic comes from. What do you do to cheer your friends up?

I've been asked to read the closing address at parents evening!!! I've re-written my speech 13 times already - it HAS to be perfect. What should I say?

Sometimes it's frustrating that we have to earn mirrorbooth credits to call home. Luckily I earned lots this week so I can talk to my parents for ages. I'm going to give Mildred some of my credits so she can speak to her mum - we've been revising so much for our witch history test that we both deserve it! What would you miss the most about living away from home?

I heard a rumour that the Great Wizard is close by. As in THE Great Wizard…The most powerful wizard there is! Why do you think he's here?

Mildred is messing about with Enid somewhere, so I've been reading about frog transformations. We have a really boring teacher for Spell Science called Miss Gullet. Which is worse - having a really boring teacher like Miss Gullet, or a scary one like Miss Hardbroom?

Mildred just asked me what a maglet is - witches have had maglets for thousands of years! She says that non-magical people don’t have them because they send messages on tablets and phones. I just got a message saying there's a new girl joining our class and her parents are really famous! Have you had any exciting news this week?

I'm so excited for my first day at witch school, and best of all I get to see Mildred again! We're going to have so much fun and I get to meet my cat!!!! Do you have any advice for my first day?

Well that was a hurley burley day! You were right about me making new friends, I met a really fun girl called Mildred. I can't wait to see her again at the start of term!

Selection day is nearly here! Mum and Dad took this photo - can you see me? I had to put a protective spell on the broomstick so I can only be seen by magical people. I hope it works - I mustn't be spotted in the non-magic world. Wish me luck!

Here's Miss Drill. She teaches broomstick flying and PE. She looks fun but I hope she doesn't make us run around all the time. Maybe I can learn a new sport - which do you like best?

This is Miss Bat the chanting teacher. She taught my mum too! She's so old she teaches Witch history as well - she looks like she might have been there for some of it! What do you know about witch history?

Ooh look what I found!!! I love this time of year - our whole family chant around the ceremonial cauldron and give each other presents. What do you do with your family?

It looks like I'll do a lot of chanting at school. Chanting sounds a bit like singing, but I've read it can make magic even stronger. I found this chart to learn the notes - what does it even mean? Can anyone help me?

I went to the library today - time to brush the cobwebs away and revise for the written test. I'll get through this little lot in no time! 

Thanks for voting on which subject sounded the most exciting! It looks like Miss Hardbroom will have a full potions class next term… Potions was the clear winner!

Oh no, I've heard about this one. Miss Hardbroom is the potions teacher at Cackle's. There are so many frightening stories about her. I really hope they aren't true - eek!

All witches must take the Witches' Code very seriously.The code is a massive book with lots of sections and clauses - it's super complicated, so I keep this poster in my room to remind me of the basics. Which part do you think is the most important?

This is my idol, Miss Cackle. She's the headmistress at Cackle's Academy and famous for being really kind as well as super powerful. I want to be just like her - how can I impress her on selection day?

Oh wow, I love the Cackle's Uniform! This is Esmerelda Hallow. She's a head of year - that means she must be the best witch in her class. She looks so crafty - what do you think of it?

I found this spell to practice for the potions test. The good news is I managed to find all the ingredients…the bad news is I'm not sure I mixed it properly…

Thanks for voting on what should I do, it was a great help! You said to start again and this time I followed the instructions carefully!

Any other suggestions to avoid future disasters is appreciated…

My official invitation for the Cackle's Academy selection day is finally here! I have to pass a potions and written test - eek! Do you have any revision tips?

Today I saw mum write a whole letter in Witchenese - our ancient language. I wouldn't even know where to start! This is the alphabet. Can you help me work out what this word says?

Thanks Blushminitulip, beige_grinning_kitten, epic elphant girl and Anees - I just asked my mum and she said you’re correct! Wow, you’re really clever – how did you work it out?

These are the after school clubs at Cackle's - I want to try all of them! Which one do you think will be the most fun?

I just found out that every trainee witch at Cackle's Academy gets their very own black cat! If you were at Cackle's, what would you call your cat?

Thanks so much for your advice TheNextStepJelly and CyanQuirkyCherry - I passed!!! Mum and Dad bought me my very first broomstick to celebrate. It's so crafty. What's your mini victory this week?

I'm taking my BPT (Broomstick Proficiency Test) today - I'm panicking! I've been practising for months but I'm not sure I'll remember the course route - it's hard enough trying to stay on the broomstick! Do you have any tips for how to stay calm?!

My Cackle's Academy prospectus arrived today! Ever since I was tiny, all I've ever wanted was to go to Cackle's. ALL the witches in my family trained there... No pressure! I think this book will tell me everything I need to know about the lessons and the teachers. What sort of information do you think is inside?

Well met. I'm Maud Spellbody and I'm an 11 year old trainee witch. I'm going to start witch school soon and I can't wait! What do you think the most exciting thing about witch school will be?