Day 204 - Mollusc Pace

Friday November 6th

Thank God Mrs N comes home from Paris tonight.

Today was a good day - my GCSE revision class went well and they all sat relatively quietly and worked on past papers. I attempted a group activity with 922 in recognition of their inability to focus on a Friday afternoon. This went quite well except for a couple of the groups, one of which was slow to the point of mollusc paced and another where two of them would have cheerfully strangled each other if allowed to do so. Finally, 813 was fun to finish with although that classroom is very small and claustrophobic.

I watched Ted's team lose on penalties in the national cup in the pouring rain. He soon cheered up and went out to a party. I stayed in and waited for Mrs N to come home late on the train from London. Knackered

Day 203 - Boarding School Memories

Thursday November 5th

Our first November 5th since 1999....

Alice now delights in getting herself to school so I drove up early.

Met my mentee for the first time this morning and got to know each other a little. He is a boarder who only goes home during the holidays. Hmmm, I wonder if I have some relevant experience? Early days, but I hope I can help him as exams seem to be a big issue for him and this is his GCSE year.

The day rushed by and I still did not manage any planning for Friday before I left school. This puts so much pressure on me at home! We sat and watch football on TV while I tried to cobble a few plans together. Too much last minute stuff will trip me up soon.

Day 148 - Coming Up For Air

Friday September 11th

I didn't realise it was 9/11 until about 3pm today. 8 years ago RIP.

I cycled up to school. It was harder than the first time as I had a big back pack on. I did make it the whole way but very sweaty as I passed all the kids at One Stop. Very cool.

Very amusing Year 11 class where a back row kept me occupied with their attempts to wind me up. They really did think that I was a student teacher and I suppose they were right in one sense. I have enough verbal ammunition to deal with them. Looks like I will be working with a few of them on retaking their GCSE papers in March. Looking forward to that challenge as it will be in smaller groups and their is a very specific goal...get a C

End of the week so celebrated with a beer and an early night

Day 90 - 87%: Not Bad For a Teacher

Wednesday July 15th

Attempt my first 2 GCSE papers. I get them done in an hour each and self mark 87% with a bunch of stupid mistakes. Feel pretty good about that and vow to do more. This dream is interrupted by return of Ellen and Ted from taking tests at Kings'. In the Literacy test, they are asked for an alternative word for strong as in "only the strong survive". Ellen suggests muscular while Ted surpasses himself with buff. God help us. Ellen has also picked up her new uniform and is torn between excitement and dismay. This is fun to watch.

Head back to the house for more cleaning so that it's ready for our worldly belongings tomorrow