Friday March 12th
Interview at Kings' today - quite a grilling from Head of Dept, Assistant Head and Governor. However prepared, experienced and good you are at interviewing, to be sat in a chair 12 inches from three people asking you questions is quite challenging.
There is obviously a set list of questions for Hampshire schools as I got many of the same as my interview at Perins. I thought I did well and they seemed to like my answers which was confirmed when THEY OFFERED ME A PERMANENT JOB. This has been a critical goal since I started on this journey almost two years ago (well, there's a surprise). The big bonus is that it's a Maths and Business Studies job which I hadn't planned for but karma is a wonderful thing
Drove up to More House for the rest of the day where I had no lessons to teach or, as the staff call it, a "no contact" day. Sounds like we are in a combat zone. Hmmmmm
Day 329 - 14 Lessons In 4 Days
Thursday March 12th
I was mightily relieved to get through my first week of teaching and discovered some necessary survival short cuts along the way. I have taught 14 lessons in 4 days. I normally teach 12 in 5. I haven't felt as rushed as I do at Kings' and being more pragmatic in my lesson planning has helped - beginning, middle and end is what I need.
I haven't been as adventurous as I would like nor has everything worked but would definitely give myself a B for week 1. I need to take a few more risks next week as there's no point being safe with the short time I have. I have adapted remarkably quickly given that I was thrown in the deep end. Self congratulatory pat on the back.
They have now asked about 5 times if I want a job there. It is tempting as I could see myself enjoying it but the travel would be onerous and I suspect, given it is a boarding school, I would get sucked more into life after the school day ends than I or Mrs N would want.
I was mightily relieved to get through my first week of teaching and discovered some necessary survival short cuts along the way. I have taught 14 lessons in 4 days. I normally teach 12 in 5. I haven't felt as rushed as I do at Kings' and being more pragmatic in my lesson planning has helped - beginning, middle and end is what I need.
I haven't been as adventurous as I would like nor has everything worked but would definitely give myself a B for week 1. I need to take a few more risks next week as there's no point being safe with the short time I have. I have adapted remarkably quickly given that I was thrown in the deep end. Self congratulatory pat on the back.
They have now asked about 5 times if I want a job there. It is tempting as I could see myself enjoying it but the travel would be onerous and I suspect, given it is a boarding school, I would get sucked more into life after the school day ends than I or Mrs N would want.
Day 328 - Reality Gaps
Wednesday March 10th
Another big day and 4 lessons. I had my first formal observation with Year 8s and thought it went reasonably well. This was followed by Year 9. I had resolved to lay the law down with them and it worked up to a point - they did some work.
I made it through my four lessons and then sat down for my feedback. The language my mentor used suggested that I hadn't done very well and my heart sank - there is nothing worse than a gap between your and someone else's reality. Fortunately, it turned out to be her turn of phrase - she ended up rating me good to very good with some really sound tips on how to improve. Same time next week then.
Another big day and 4 lessons. I had my first formal observation with Year 8s and thought it went reasonably well. This was followed by Year 9. I had resolved to lay the law down with them and it worked up to a point - they did some work.
I made it through my four lessons and then sat down for my feedback. The language my mentor used suggested that I hadn't done very well and my heart sank - there is nothing worse than a gap between your and someone else's reality. Fortunately, it turned out to be her turn of phrase - she ended up rating me good to very good with some really sound tips on how to improve. Same time next week then.
Day 327 - Personalised Attention
Tuesday March 9th
Yesterday took more out of me than I realised as I felt very tired today. Fortunately, I had one early lesson and then a nice stretch through to 2pm without teaching. This gave me a chance to sit and re-group.
Each year group gets one Maths lesson a day Monday to Thursday. This makes it easy to plan from a progression point of view. However, I can already tell that this lot are going to have Maths overload by Thursday.
They all have different learning difficulties but the common traits seem to be a lack of self-confidence, low self control and a need for constant attention. It is no wonder that they have all failed in mainstream schooling and need the personalised attention that a school like More House offers.
Yesterday took more out of me than I realised as I felt very tired today. Fortunately, I had one early lesson and then a nice stretch through to 2pm without teaching. This gave me a chance to sit and re-group.
Each year group gets one Maths lesson a day Monday to Thursday. This makes it easy to plan from a progression point of view. However, I can already tell that this lot are going to have Maths overload by Thursday.
They all have different learning difficulties but the common traits seem to be a lack of self-confidence, low self control and a need for constant attention. It is no wonder that they have all failed in mainstream schooling and need the personalised attention that a school like More House offers.
Day 326 - Baptism Of Fire
Monday March 8th
First day at More House and it was a baptism of fire - 4 lessons straight off completely solo. Given that all the boys have some kind of learning difficulty this was both brave and foolish. Having only 8-10 boys in the class make a huge difference and I was so much more relaxed than at Kings' - more time to think on my feet without questions firing in from all directions.
My lesson plans are much simpler - hand written with a start, main and plenary. I am based out of one classroom so I don't have to lug a plastic box and my lap top around with me. No IWB so I had to use basic resources rather than trying to juggle lots of different things.
Looking back, it was a good first day. I survived. No-one threw a chair at me.
First day at More House and it was a baptism of fire - 4 lessons straight off completely solo. Given that all the boys have some kind of learning difficulty this was both brave and foolish. Having only 8-10 boys in the class make a huge difference and I was so much more relaxed than at Kings' - more time to think on my feet without questions firing in from all directions.
My lesson plans are much simpler - hand written with a start, main and plenary. I am based out of one classroom so I don't have to lug a plastic box and my lap top around with me. No IWB so I had to use basic resources rather than trying to juggle lots of different things.
Looking back, it was a good first day. I survived. No-one threw a chair at me.
Day 325 - Should Be A Breeze
Sunday March 7th
Tomorrow I start at More House School. I have to teach 4 lessons to classes I don't know on subjects I haven't planned. Should be a breeze. I had a very relaxing day and then drove up to Horsley to pick up Charles' car. I then sat with Frances for an hour, swapping lives.
It hit me at about 8pm and then I panicked.
Tomorrow I start at More House School. I have to teach 4 lessons to classes I don't know on subjects I haven't planned. Should be a breeze. I had a very relaxing day and then drove up to Horsley to pick up Charles' car. I then sat with Frances for an hour, swapping lives.
It hit me at about 8pm and then I panicked.
Day 324 - Must Try Harder
Saturday March 6th
I spent all day writing Year 10 reports. The good news is that I got them done in one day which beats my earlier attempt with Year 8. The bad news is that they took me all day....all day. well, all day with frequent breaks for food and sport.
Ellen had 15 close personal friends over to celebrate the end of their exams. It looked a little dicey early on but settled down nicely to normal teenage behaviour by about midnight.
I spent all day writing Year 10 reports. The good news is that I got them done in one day which beats my earlier attempt with Year 8. The bad news is that they took me all day....all day. well, all day with frequent breaks for food and sport.
Ellen had 15 close personal friends over to celebrate the end of their exams. It looked a little dicey early on but settled down nicely to normal teenage behaviour by about midnight.
Day 323 - Double Double
Friday March 5th
Last day at Kings' for 3 weeks and I decided to go for the easy option - 2 formal observations after lunch.
I honestly thought I had botched both of them but my observers thought otherwise and both gave me good to very good performance rating as well as some very good feedback. What a great way to finish off the week. I have high standards so was harder on myself than I should have been. The best comment made was that I was challenging my classes to think for themselves and stretch their understanding beyond what they thought was possible. Brilliant!
I popped back in to get some files for next week and had a long chat about my legal obligation as a teacher. This came about because I had heard some discussion of a nasty situation while out of school. Apparently, if I think a child at the school is at risk then I have a duty to report it to the school Child Protection team. This potentially compromises my role as a father given I have two kids at Kings', both of whom have friends who are in and out of our house. Tricky stuff and hope I never have to make the choice!
Last day at Kings' for 3 weeks and I decided to go for the easy option - 2 formal observations after lunch.
I honestly thought I had botched both of them but my observers thought otherwise and both gave me good to very good performance rating as well as some very good feedback. What a great way to finish off the week. I have high standards so was harder on myself than I should have been. The best comment made was that I was challenging my classes to think for themselves and stretch their understanding beyond what they thought was possible. Brilliant!
I popped back in to get some files for next week and had a long chat about my legal obligation as a teacher. This came about because I had heard some discussion of a nasty situation while out of school. Apparently, if I think a child at the school is at risk then I have a duty to report it to the school Child Protection team. This potentially compromises my role as a father given I have two kids at Kings', both of whom have friends who are in and out of our house. Tricky stuff and hope I never have to make the choice!
Day 322 - A Midstream Switch to Teaching
Mike Hogan sent me this NYT article. Well written and very similar to my own experience so far....
A Midstream Switch to Teaching
Rick Friedman for The New York Times
Peter Wilson, 38, who previously worked in public relations, now teaches English in a middle school.
I was laid off from my previous job, so it’s not as if I had an epiphany and left because I had a burning desire to teach. But I had been in that job for 10 years and no longer found it fulfilling. Losing it forced me to examine what I wanted to do next.
I did some consulting and started job-hunting. But I wanted to talk to someone about my future, and the person who knows me best after my wife, Allyson, is my brother Ray. I called him to help me do some soul-searching.
Everyone who’s laid off should find someone they trust and sit down and talk. You can’t think things through by yourself, especially when you have a family. You have too much going on mentally. You need someone who cares enough to listen, but is not in the thick of it the way you are.
Over lunch with Ray, I brought up the idea of teaching. It was a possibility I had thought about occasionally, but had dismissed as financially unfeasible. I had a 2-year-old and planned to have another child in the near future. Ray told me to hold on, that we should discuss it. And with his help, in two hours I had a plan.
My wife and I sold our home and moved in with my mother so I could go to school and get certification. I found a program at Simmons College for a Master of Arts in teaching that I could complete in about a year. My wife works at the college.
I had been laid off at the end of January 2006, and by late spring that year I was enrolled in the program. I started student-teaching the next January at Masconomet Regional Middle School in Topsfield, Mass. I took two state teaching exams — a general one and one for prospective English teachers. An English teacher was retiring that June, and I was hired to take her place in September.
I love teaching, but I was surprised at the amount of planning it takes to keep lessons fresh. I also didn’t realize that you’re performing in the classroom, giving 45-minute presentations, almost all day. Then you do it again, day after day.
Keeping 12- and 13-year-old kids engaged is challenging. When a lesson works and you connect with them, it’s great, but when it doesn’t, it’s frustrating. Also, at the ages I teach, there can be different maturity levels within each class.
But to have a student return the next year and tell you how much you taught him is unbelievably gratifying. People entering teaching should expect to be fulfilled in ways they haven’t been before.
I make about half my former salary, and I don’t know exactly how my wife and I are managing. We left my mother’s after a year and bought a new house on the opposite side of Boston from where we were. We had done well on the sale of our house and saved money while at my mother’s, so we bought a bigger, house that’s more family-friendly. I sold my car and bought a smaller one to save gasoline. We don’t go out to eat much, and we buy generic brands.
You reach a certain age when money is not the primary driver of your life, especially when you have a child or two. Still, you have to decide what you can live with. If you enjoy what you’re doing, it helps compensate for a lower salary. I also lead an after-school activity: a discussion group about the television series “Lost.” I wanted the students who signed up to see how much deeper the show is than it might first appear to them. I like to think that it’s helping them with critical-thinking skills.
I miss the daily interaction with adults at my old job. I had dreaded business meetings that were held for no reason that I could see, but when meetings to pitch our agency to potential clients went well, that was a different story. When I told vice presidents or C.E.O.’s my ideas and they said they loved them, I felt great. But those moments were not a regular occurrence. It’s just the nature of the job.
I INTEND to work at this school the rest of my life if they’ll have me. I occasionally think about going into school administration because of my background, but I’m still trying to figure out what it means to be a good teacher. A management job may come later.
One of my former students, an eighth grader who wanted to attend a private high school, stopped by one day and told me he had just finished the application essay. He had to write about someone who inspired him, and he wrote about me. That will keep me going for the next three years.
Day 321 - Acronym City
Wednesday March 3rd
Another day at University, cunningly planned to miss 3 lessons. Today was what they called a secondary conference - we rotated around 4 different seminars to learn as much as we could. I chose the following:
1. VLE/MLE - acronym for Virtual or Managed Learning Environment. The former is basically a web based extranet that gives staff, pupils and parents access to information as well as ability to set and submit homework. The latter is a database school management system. Some schools combine the two quite effectively. I had two epiphanies during this session. Firstly, that Kings' is light years behind the ball in this area and secondly, I'm changing my GTP assignment to "What role can an integrated VLE/MLE play in extending pupil learning and differentiation in schools ?". I could write this in my sleep. I will need to.
2. NLP - Some neuro psychologist pontificating on how he deals with his patients. It was quite thought provoking but he was so arrogant he wound everyone up. Humourous.
3. Behaviour management in the classroom - silence is a powerful tool...unless they are throwing chairs at you.
4. SEAL - more acronyms than you can shake a stick at. This one was the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. He was basically saying that a successful learner has emotional dimensions that we rarely cater for.
Another day at University, cunningly planned to miss 3 lessons. Today was what they called a secondary conference - we rotated around 4 different seminars to learn as much as we could. I chose the following:
1. VLE/MLE - acronym for Virtual or Managed Learning Environment. The former is basically a web based extranet that gives staff, pupils and parents access to information as well as ability to set and submit homework. The latter is a database school management system. Some schools combine the two quite effectively. I had two epiphanies during this session. Firstly, that Kings' is light years behind the ball in this area and secondly, I'm changing my GTP assignment to "What role can an integrated VLE/MLE play in extending pupil learning and differentiation in schools ?". I could write this in my sleep. I will need to.
2. NLP - Some neuro psychologist pontificating on how he deals with his patients. It was quite thought provoking but he was so arrogant he wound everyone up. Humourous.
3. Behaviour management in the classroom - silence is a powerful tool...unless they are throwing chairs at you.
4. SEAL - more acronyms than you can shake a stick at. This one was the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. He was basically saying that a successful learner has emotional dimensions that we rarely cater for.
Day 320 - Eureka
Tuesday March 2nd
Finally - my CRB check is complete and I am not a deviant. I can start at More House on Monday. The waiting is over but the countdown has begun - I will be teaching four lessons on Monday solo.
Back into the swing of teaching this afternoon. Went through 1022 exam today and the model answers on the IWB worked well. They are quite clearly in a state of denial which we need to work on as we only have a few short weeks, 13 I think, before they take the actual exam. That's when this teaching thing gains a hard edge as I will be judged by their results.
Back on the track and baled out after 8 400s. A combination of rustiness, lingering virus and being a complete wimp. They were very fast splits, 75 to 82 second laps so not too shabby
Finally - my CRB check is complete and I am not a deviant. I can start at More House on Monday. The waiting is over but the countdown has begun - I will be teaching four lessons on Monday solo.
Back into the swing of teaching this afternoon. Went through 1022 exam today and the model answers on the IWB worked well. They are quite clearly in a state of denial which we need to work on as we only have a few short weeks, 13 I think, before they take the actual exam. That's when this teaching thing gains a hard edge as I will be judged by their results.
Back on the track and baled out after 8 400s. A combination of rustiness, lingering virus and being a complete wimp. They were very fast splits, 75 to 82 second laps so not too shabby
Day 319 - Ground Hog Day
Monday March 1st
Back at Kings this morning and it feels like Groundhog Day. On the good side, I haven't really had to teach today as BYS and DVS took the lessons and I observed/mucked in. On the bad side, I haven't really had to teach today!
In preparation for tomorrow's 1022 class, I have scanned in my model answers for their exam (see previous blog on how badly they did) so hopefully they will see the error of their ways and vow to work diligently towards the real thing in June.
I found out that I am going on a trip to the Ardeche during summer term half term. I'd forgotten that I had signed up but it seems there are benefits to being a male teacher. There are never enough to go round!!!
Back at Kings this morning and it feels like Groundhog Day. On the good side, I haven't really had to teach today as BYS and DVS took the lessons and I observed/mucked in. On the bad side, I haven't really had to teach today!
In preparation for tomorrow's 1022 class, I have scanned in my model answers for their exam (see previous blog on how badly they did) so hopefully they will see the error of their ways and vow to work diligently towards the real thing in June.
I found out that I am going on a trip to the Ardeche during summer term half term. I'd forgotten that I had signed up but it seems there are benefits to being a male teacher. There are never enough to go round!!!
Day 318 - A Privileged Life
Sunday February 28th
We drove up to East Horsley for lunch with my brother. We regaled him with stories of life in a comprehensive school. He positively blanched. I guess when you have been to private boarding school, Oxford University and sent your kids to private school, the very thought of a comprehensive school is a bit alien. The kids enjoyed it!
I went to private boarding school and it feels a bit alien to me as well. Of course it feels alien. Without it sounding like a social experiment, that's what makes it so interesting, to see what a school is like with the full spectrum of society trying to function together with varying levels of motivation.
Would I have found it difficult in a comprehensive school as a child? If I had moved to one from private school, maybe, but if I had started in primary like everyone else, it would have made no difference. Would I have come out a different person? Undoubtedly, as the experience would have been very different.
I wonder whether I would have done as well academically? I think I would as the results I got were all self-motivated. However, the values I have today were as much moulded at school as they were by my parents, so who knows if I would have had that self-motivation and independence of thought in the public sector?
We drove up to East Horsley for lunch with my brother. We regaled him with stories of life in a comprehensive school. He positively blanched. I guess when you have been to private boarding school, Oxford University and sent your kids to private school, the very thought of a comprehensive school is a bit alien. The kids enjoyed it!
I went to private boarding school and it feels a bit alien to me as well. Of course it feels alien. Without it sounding like a social experiment, that's what makes it so interesting, to see what a school is like with the full spectrum of society trying to function together with varying levels of motivation.
Would I have found it difficult in a comprehensive school as a child? If I had moved to one from private school, maybe, but if I had started in primary like everyone else, it would have made no difference. Would I have come out a different person? Undoubtedly, as the experience would have been very different.
I wonder whether I would have done as well academically? I think I would as the results I got were all self-motivated. However, the values I have today were as much moulded at school as they were by my parents, so who knows if I would have had that self-motivation and independence of thought in the public sector?
Day 317 - Assume The Recovery Position
Saturday February 27th
I was not built for 4 and a half hours sleep.
Drove like the wind back to Winchester in time to catch Alice winning her game and Ted not playing in his. Got home and collapsed in front of the rugby all afternoon. I hardly moved until it was time to go to bed again
I was not built for 4 and a half hours sleep.
Drove like the wind back to Winchester in time to catch Alice winning her game and Ted not playing in his. Got home and collapsed in front of the rugby all afternoon. I hardly moved until it was time to go to bed again
Day 316 - Maths Dunce
Friday February 26th
Maths day at University so instead of slugging it out with 9.2.2 , I was relaxing with my fellow trainees looking at some algebra.
I really enjoy these sessions as it is a chance to relax and do some learning of my own. I feel like I am becoming more confident in the subject until I sit next to someone with a Maths degree and then I feel very stupid.
Headed straight off to Essex for Catherine's 40th birthday celebrations. Ellen looked after the girls while we partied til 2.30am. Ouch
Maths day at University so instead of slugging it out with 9.2.2 , I was relaxing with my fellow trainees looking at some algebra.
I really enjoy these sessions as it is a chance to relax and do some learning of my own. I feel like I am becoming more confident in the subject until I sit next to someone with a Maths degree and then I feel very stupid.
Headed straight off to Essex for Catherine's 40th birthday celebrations. Ellen looked after the girls while we partied til 2.30am. Ouch
Day 315 - Too Many Tests Make Them Ill
Thursday February 25th
I love Thursdays. Still no sign of the CRB check so it's looking like another week before I can go to More House. Instead I have been marking exams and what a shocker that is.
DVS warned me to contain my warm fuzzy feeling about how well 10.2.2 were doing. I did not heed that warning and had very high expectations for their exam this week. Oh dear. With very few exceptions, their results were shocking. They were shocking because most of them hadn't done any revision. None.
I just read an article in the Sunday Times, and I quote: 'The new children's commissioner has said school pupils should sit no more than eight GCSEs, because too many tests are making them ill. Maggie Atkinson said one of the risks to children was "the pressure that we as a society seem determined to continue to put our children under in terms of how hothoused they are at school." Limiting the exams would reduce homework and give children more "down time", she said.'
She goes on to warn that: 'many children were under such stress to achieve good exam results that they lacked a "work-life balance" and were at risk of falling ill from stress.'
Under such stress, my arse. I have never seen a group of kids look so relaxed and unconcerned with getting a U in an exam. They either think it's not important or that someone is going to fix it for them and make everything alright. In my day............
I love Thursdays. Still no sign of the CRB check so it's looking like another week before I can go to More House. Instead I have been marking exams and what a shocker that is.
DVS warned me to contain my warm fuzzy feeling about how well 10.2.2 were doing. I did not heed that warning and had very high expectations for their exam this week. Oh dear. With very few exceptions, their results were shocking. They were shocking because most of them hadn't done any revision. None.
I just read an article in the Sunday Times, and I quote: 'The new children's commissioner has said school pupils should sit no more than eight GCSEs, because too many tests are making them ill. Maggie Atkinson said one of the risks to children was "the pressure that we as a society seem determined to continue to put our children under in terms of how hothoused they are at school." Limiting the exams would reduce homework and give children more "down time", she said.'
She goes on to warn that: 'many children were under such stress to achieve good exam results that they lacked a "work-life balance" and were at risk of falling ill from stress.'
Under such stress, my arse. I have never seen a group of kids look so relaxed and unconcerned with getting a U in an exam. They either think it's not important or that someone is going to fix it for them and make everything alright. In my day............
Day 314 - Angles of Pace
Wednesday February 24th
I have been trying to improve the pace of my lessons and am finding it quite difficult. I lose so much time at the beginning of lessons with starters, registration and dealing with the inevitable late/no/dog has eaten my homework issues that by the time I get to the main course it's already 15 or 20 minutes in. In the context of 'how do i get through a 65 minute lesson?', this is find as I always run out of time. In the context of 'are the children learning anything?', it's not so great.
I got some good feedback on pace today so I am happy. This included a formal observation from GDE and she is a tough critic. The lesson in question was Angle Bingo and I kept them moving along nicely. She spent some time with one of the more disruptive boys and he was engaged. Amazing.
I was shattered by the end of the day - I must have picked up a virus with my cold and it's taking a while to shake off.
I have been trying to improve the pace of my lessons and am finding it quite difficult. I lose so much time at the beginning of lessons with starters, registration and dealing with the inevitable late/no/dog has eaten my homework issues that by the time I get to the main course it's already 15 or 20 minutes in. In the context of 'how do i get through a 65 minute lesson?', this is find as I always run out of time. In the context of 'are the children learning anything?', it's not so great.
I got some good feedback on pace today so I am happy. This included a formal observation from GDE and she is a tough critic. The lesson in question was Angle Bingo and I kept them moving along nicely. She spent some time with one of the more disruptive boys and he was engaged. Amazing.
I was shattered by the end of the day - I must have picked up a virus with my cold and it's taking a while to shake off.
Day 313 - Presumptions
Tuesday February 23rd
I have been trying to work with the school chef, so that our Year 10s can sell hot chocolate at lunch times and raise some money for charity. It has been an interesting meeting of worlds. Based on our various conversations I put together an email detailing everything we had discussed and the basis on which we could proceed (he his a little reticent as he sees this as pupil money that would otherwise be flowing through his kitchen for food and drink). I got a one line email back asking me to pop down and see him. I thought I had screwed something up and I was about to be blackballed by the chef.
It ended up being something very different. Apparently, his literacy is not great. He prefers verbal communication as he has trouble with grammar and spelling. Never even thought of that possibility before. I have always presumed that clear concise written communication is a basic skill within the grasp of the people I work with.
We had a great chat and I offered to help him with his marketing!
I have been trying to work with the school chef, so that our Year 10s can sell hot chocolate at lunch times and raise some money for charity. It has been an interesting meeting of worlds. Based on our various conversations I put together an email detailing everything we had discussed and the basis on which we could proceed (he his a little reticent as he sees this as pupil money that would otherwise be flowing through his kitchen for food and drink). I got a one line email back asking me to pop down and see him. I thought I had screwed something up and I was about to be blackballed by the chef.
It ended up being something very different. Apparently, his literacy is not great. He prefers verbal communication as he has trouble with grammar and spelling. Never even thought of that possibility before. I have always presumed that clear concise written communication is a basic skill within the grasp of the people I work with.
We had a great chat and I offered to help him with his marketing!
Day 312 - Tick Tock
Monday February 22nd
It is definitely not a good feeling, coming back into school when I had planned not to be there. Today was a very easy day with Year 10 in exams and handing back 9.2.2 topic test. I was better planned this time with scanned in model answers and they responded much better than last time. They all did relatively well so everyone was in good spirits.
I kicked 7.3.1 off on Time which is an interesting topic for Maths. It's more like life skills. Although not many of them wear watches, they were pretty good at telling the time. Tick Tock.
It is definitely not a good feeling, coming back into school when I had planned not to be there. Today was a very easy day with Year 10 in exams and handing back 9.2.2 topic test. I was better planned this time with scanned in model answers and they responded much better than last time. They all did relatively well so everyone was in good spirits.
I kicked 7.3.1 off on Time which is an interesting topic for Maths. It's more like life skills. Although not many of them wear watches, they were pretty good at telling the time. Tick Tock.
Day 311 - Winchester 10k
Sunday February 21st
It was raining when I woke up and I nearly didn't bother but glad I did.
Headed out and met up with Neil to run the Winchester 10k. In club colours officially for the first time but it's not a club race so doesn't count. Vowed to make it an easy run and relaxed for the first 2 miles, most uphill. As the race progressed I felt pretty strong so kept plugging away and ended up with 41 minutes, a PB. If I had known how good I would feel I would have gone for the sub 40 but in any case it was a timely boost to the confidence.
I came 50th on the day and 5th in the Men 40-44 age group. I've arrived on the scene!
I found out later that week that I made the back pages of the Hampshire Chronicle. Photo to follow
It was raining when I woke up and I nearly didn't bother but glad I did.
Headed out and met up with Neil to run the Winchester 10k. In club colours officially for the first time but it's not a club race so doesn't count. Vowed to make it an easy run and relaxed for the first 2 miles, most uphill. As the race progressed I felt pretty strong so kept plugging away and ended up with 41 minutes, a PB. If I had known how good I would feel I would have gone for the sub 40 but in any case it was a timely boost to the confidence.
I came 50th on the day and 5th in the Men 40-44 age group. I've arrived on the scene!
I found out later that week that I made the back pages of the Hampshire Chronicle. Photo to follow
Day 310 - Mud Rider
Saturday February 20th
Ted and I went on an AWEsome bike ride up to Farley Mount in the mud. It was uphill all the way which he struggled with a bit...he kept stopping in the mud and falling off. We got up there and then it was downhill all the way back. We made plans to go biking more often. I took my distinctive Bulleit Bourbon...finally it gets out in the hills it was designed by. Thank you Moose.
Spent the afternoon perched up a long ladder attempting to cut down the wisteria that has wound its way around our four storey drainpipe and threatens to rip it off. I got most of it down but there is a 5 foot section that is beyond me.
Ted and I went on an AWEsome bike ride up to Farley Mount in the mud. It was uphill all the way which he struggled with a bit...he kept stopping in the mud and falling off. We got up there and then it was downhill all the way back. We made plans to go biking more often. I took my distinctive Bulleit Bourbon...finally it gets out in the hills it was designed by. Thank you Moose.
Spent the afternoon perched up a long ladder attempting to cut down the wisteria that has wound its way around our four storey drainpipe and threatens to rip it off. I got most of it down but there is a 5 foot section that is beyond me.
Day 309 - Ahoy Captain Hastings
Friday February 19th
No CRB in the post today so I'll be back at Kings' next week. Part of me is relieved as spending next week in the world I know is much more relaxing than going to a whole new school and teaching from scratch again. However, all I'm doing is putting it off so I might as well get on with it. It is amusing that one school won't allow me into their classrooms in case I am a paedophile while the other has let me loose since September. Oh well.
We have been getting texts and emails from our friends from Hastings as they went on a cruise over the winter break. It was the right thing not to go as I can't imagine being away at the moment with everything going on with the job and Ellen's exams starting next week, but we do miss our friends terribly. The cruise would have been laughing all the way.
I'm thinking about a triathlon again - apparently I can rent a decent bike for the summer for £100. That could work, I just need to get back into a decent training schedule.
No CRB in the post today so I'll be back at Kings' next week. Part of me is relieved as spending next week in the world I know is much more relaxing than going to a whole new school and teaching from scratch again. However, all I'm doing is putting it off so I might as well get on with it. It is amusing that one school won't allow me into their classrooms in case I am a paedophile while the other has let me loose since September. Oh well.
We have been getting texts and emails from our friends from Hastings as they went on a cruise over the winter break. It was the right thing not to go as I can't imagine being away at the moment with everything going on with the job and Ellen's exams starting next week, but we do miss our friends terribly. The cruise would have been laughing all the way.
I'm thinking about a triathlon again - apparently I can rent a decent bike for the summer for £100. That could work, I just need to get back into a decent training schedule.
Day 308 - Amnesiac
Thursday February 18th
I am sure I did something really productive today but I cannot for the life of me remember it. I'll put it down to a late night and the approach of soft middle age
I am sure I did something really productive today but I cannot for the life of me remember it. I'll put it down to a late night and the approach of soft middle age
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