Back in the swing!

Ahhh, back at school! First day back. I remember the feeling now. It's all coming back to me. Shared cramped spaces, artifical lighting, noise, noise, noise, a regimented peeing structure, cold cups of tea and the delightfully cheery faces of all my small friends...my little people. So I didn't get the job I went for over the holidays and was surprisingly more pleased when they phoned with the "unfortunate" news, than I ever expected. After my school's rejection I felt that I just really needed to try something new, to prove them that I could get out, to seek new paths, but when it came to the crunch I deliberated for days over whether to submit my application at the other job. In the end, I did. And everyday after that hoped that I would have a successful interview and not get the job! Slap Bang! That's what I got! My "prayers" were answered. It was great. It gave me the lift and enthusiasm to get on with the job at school and gear up for the 2006 Alternative program. And my students were very pleased to see me back! Except one boy who said my new haircut looked like I was trying to bring the mullet back in fashion- Yeah- thanks for that!!

I guess at the moment I am feeling quite happy about my job. I was actually really feeling depressed by the thought of coming back to my whiny, irritating year 8 classes who always seem to complain about everything I do...and then when I did get back, I realised I had imagined up all their nastiness because they were close to angelic! Perhaps when I told them "Miss Cleine might not be coming back after the holidays..." they started to appreciate me a bit more. I remember at this time last year being totally besotted by my Year 8's. Especially one class who were so fun and lively and never did any work but we had some great discussions. Then the whole feeling of being watched and judged by other staff kicked in this year and my educational conscience got the better of me. I decided that I better teach these kids something and that it was about more than just making school fun for them...although at times, I relapse into this mode of thinking and teaching.

L told me that she patched things up with her Mum these holidays which was great news. I do worry about her and she knows I does, but she is trapped in the "My parents just split up and this sucks and so does my whole life" realm and to get attention she doesn't do any work, but you can't explain that to her because her 13 year old brain (and I mean this in a nice way) just doesn't have the reflective capacity to understand that yet... But she is still keen to do the extension program which is great news!

Well my desk is tidy, I have tomorrow planned and my jobs from today all done. I'm an organised teacher again...for this week. Oh, and the greatest thing. I was able to use resources I created last year for the Black Death and that is certainly the best thing about being 2nd year out! Prepared Resources! Yay!

How weird is this! On Wednesday I teach 1 lesson and have 5 off! How amazing is that...the down side is that the lessons I normally had on that day are crammed into the rest of my week, but Wednesday is definitely going to be my preparation day! I will get sooooo much done!

Bye for now,
M x