Day 245 - The 4th Emergency Service

Thursday December 17th

An unexpected half day as our day of Maths at university finished at 1pm. This was perfect as we were all flagging after a long term. Unfortunately my plan to meet up with Mrs N was ruined by a puncture on the M3 and spent the afternoon waiting for the AA. Got back in time for a pint with Year 10 tutors and then Alice's carol service at St Cross. M&D came along and it was well worth it. A stunning church and our youngest reading a lesson with an impeccable English accent.

Headed off to the Maths department Christmas party at the Golden House chinese restaurant. Light years away from similar occasions at Diageo but enjoyed it, possibly more because of the absence of excess. Early finish, early bed...good for the soul.

Day 229 - Kinasthetic Learners

Tuesday December 1st

24 days til Christmas and our first icy cold snap. I spent the day at a Maths course in a theme park. It was all about helping children with different learning styles to access Maths. This is a big one for me as I am very good at learning stuff by listening, reading, writing down and figuring it out through logic and practice. Therefore, that is how I teach.

This is OK for the kids who learn like I do but there are plenty who learn differently - they are much more visual or kinasthetic - they need to access through seeing and/or doing. The lecturer was very geeky but I thought very good and gave us some very good ways to teach a little differently. We used interlocking cubes, straws, pipe cleaners, an abacus, loads of different stuff that we can use in the classroom. I really enjoyed it and it gave me some ideas BUT it's still going to be hard for me because I'm still at the stage when, if I explain something clearly, simply and logically, and the child still doesn't get it, I think there's something wrong with THEM.

Day 223 - Gifted & Talented

Wednesday November 25th

Helped BYS escort a small group of gifted Maths Year 10 pupils to Portsmouth this afternoon. We went to the Dockyards for a very short afternoon workshop. The kids were all from Ellen's class so I was very interested in what constitutes gifted and talented. As befits the state sector, there are specific definitions. "Able" means that the child has scored 120 or more on 1 or more of the three CAT tests every child takes. Ellen and Ted both scored 120+ in all three putting them in the top 2% of the population. "Gifted" means a child has a specific ability in an academic subject. "Talented" means a child has a specific ability in a sport or art. There is meant to be a register in every school.

Back to Portsmouth. it was short, interesting and not a whole lot to do with Maths. The kids seemed to enjoy it, partly because they were out of school and partly because they got to see a 60 pound cannonball smash a thick piece of wood in half

Day 190 - I Made It

Friday October 23rd

Got my head together and headed in. First up was rehearsal for Year 10 Assembly. Not brilliant but first rehearsals never are. I think it will go well.

Next up were my Year 11 retakes. Surprisingly, they were not ecstatic at the thought of Maths standing between them and lunch but I managed to get Emily to not only laugh but then admit it was the Maths that made her happy. Result.

Made it through 9.2.2 (painful) and 8.1.3 (fun) before packing everything up, coming home and collapsing. 1/6th of the way through. 9.2.2 troubles me as I put together a fun lesson that obliquely got them into algebra. They did not appreciate it and messed about the whole time. Chatting to my mentor afterwards, she suggested that I legislate for the fact that it is Friday afternoon and go easy on them with a few games. PAH! wouldn't have happened in my day.

Day 187 - Swans

Tuesday October 20th

Started to feel tired this week and I can't figure out whether it's the running or the 6 weeks of intense teacher training I've experienced. On the surface, my new job is a 50% timetable that goes from 8.45 to 3.15 every day. Underneath, I'm definitely in swan territory - serenely gliding along while my skinny little legs are thrashing frantically around trying to work out which way is forward.

I really am getting the hang of working at school - getting to know the staff, getting to know the kids, being prepared for everything on time...just. The two areas I feel tentative in are the big ones - consistent, strong behaviour management and the effective teaching of Maths. The former is all about suppressing the liberally minded 'que sera, que sera' in me, the latter is fundamental and will take time. I may be able to do this stuff myself but getting it across to 30 individuals is one beast of a professional skill

Day 147 - My First Lesson

Thursday September 10th

Didn't run this morning but got up instead and went through my lesson plan for the millionth time. My heart was definitely pounding - what could possibly go wrong with a room full of 12 year olds?!

The lesson went fine although (and I know this sounds really stupid) I was so focused on managing the classroom, I don't think I actually taught them anything. I was also a little non - plussed by the lack of energy in the room. It felt like I had to generate it all myself which is tiring. I shouldn't be surprised, we are talking Maths after all.

Ted headed off to play for the school in his first game and I finally went off to the Winchester Athletic Club at the track. We went for a 7 mile run and I cycled home in the dark. Not clever.

Day 146 - Keep Smiling Til Christmas

Wednesday September 9th

Full day at University today so caught the bus there and back. It was a good day as I was familiar with most of the presentations in the morning and the lack of teaching jargon was refreshing. The guy who presented dismissed the thought of "don't smile til Christmas" with exactly the opposite. I like that.

My Head of Dept is leading the Maths specific content and I embarrassed myself with one of the questions she asked. Oops. Bless her though, she moved swiftly on to spare my blushes. She may be questioning her decision to hire me though.

Day 133 - Libel, Spitfires, Footballs and Juggling

Thursday August 27th

Got out early for a run this morning and tried some speed work but managed one mile and then switched to 400s. Not bad though.

Who said Maths was boring? So far this week, we've had a guy dressed up as a 17th Century Matmematician, a rant about the British libel laws, a talk about the maths behind the Battle of Britain (the model said we should have lost that one), making a football from card and tape and a juggler with a large brain.

It was all too much for me so we went down to the pub for a few pints and played Truth or Dare. Very funny crowd and enjoyed myself immensely. Managed to get to bed before it got too silly and fell asleep dreaming of cats on jumbo jets

Day 130 - The Grand Old Duke Of York

Monday August 24th

Uneventful journey up to York, other than bumping into Charles and Suzan at Waterloo (what is the probability of THAT?). It was fun to be on the train and walking through Waterloo and Kings Cross again. Got the bus up to campus and for about an hour was horrified at the thought of spending a whole week here. It seemed a little geeky and I had nothing to say to anyone. Things improved as we walked around doing a Maths Quiz and by the evening had met a few people who I could talk to.

I really want to blurt out my story but I only get as far as "I start teaching in September...." at which point I am sure people are already judging me. I can't complain because we are all the same, it's human nature, but there is part of me that wants to tell everyone that I had a very successful career in my chosen field, was earning a very nice salary and then CHOSE to go into teaching. Of course, I want people to think I'm special. It's not going to happen so I will just have to remain special in my own mind.

This evening a venerable old professor donned period costume and told the story of Euler. This was striking on many fronts, not least that it was pretty interesting. I had no idea who Euler was until now. He used hand written overheads on and OHP....wow!

The course leader is pretty impressive. He is prolific in his output, very forthright in his opinion and is passionate enough to run this summer school. Good stuff. His presentation notes are unorthodox to say the least.

Day 127 - Nordic Sails

Friday August 21st

Definitely had a fuzzy head this morning but gradually got going and we ended up achieving alot - the drying racks went up and we painted the dining room. The colour choice was different, not least its name, Nordic Sails, but works brilliantly. Once the blinds are in, it should be a cool room in the summer and cosy in the winter...maybe. Meanwhile, I listened to the most incredible day's cricket as the fate of the Ashes unfolded.

James came and fitted the new toilet and taps. Now we have a toilet that flushes without having to lift the cistern lid and a kitchen tap with some pressure. Tidy.

My spare moments have been taken up doing more and more Maths. I am sure I am shockingly under prepared but I have been building up the hours so I hope I have some kind of base to work off.

Wyvern called and they do have a space for Ted so we are all set. Tidy

Day 123 - Website Designer

Monday August 17th

A week til I head up to York for my intensive Maths summer school. I am slightly nervous as I am barely through Year 8. Oh well, what's the worse that happens. I'll know in a week.

It's amazing - I designed a website in about an hour today. I promised to help Cousin Jonathan with a website for his business. I did this without having any idea of how to do it. Figured it out and I think it looks pretty good. Let's see what he thinks. Dad and Rob seemed to like it. The only issue is the "weebly.com" domain but anything else costs money.

Day 113 - Fish 'n' Chips

Friday August 7th

Focused on some Maths today. I sit down, start reading and this deep knot of panic starts to rise in my stomach as I realise how much I have to do. It's very hard to start all over again, especially after 20 years of getting (near) the top in marketing. You build up a level of competence, overlay that with self confidence and that gets you through every day, every situation you encounter. I've definitely got the self confidence but the competence is all guess work right now.

In between working I've been doing alot of DIY. The Johnnie Walker blackboard is now up in the hall, Alice and Ted's rooms are done, complete with floating shelves. I must confess I have not quite got the hang of the walls yet as they are plasterboard, with a hollow bit and then brick/masonry. Still haven't found the perfect rawplug

We walked down to the Fish and Chip shop on St Cross Rd tonight. We picked up cod and chips for 5, brought it home and pigged out. Everyone loved it so we will be doing that again. 30 quid is not cheap though.

Day 109 - Fantasy Maths

Monday August 3rd

Not really but at one point I did break from a very sincere focus on Maths to put my Fantasy Football team together for the new season.

Phone switched today so we had not phone or internet all day. I have ramped up my work focus this last week. Firstly, I got organised and read through all my GTP handbook. Secondly, I took a few GCSE past papers and made notes of the topics that I struggled with. It's working well but I still have three textbooks to get through by September.

Ellen sat and did a test paper with me tonight and she did very well in the first half. She got tired for the second half and lost interest. She did very well for someone who is not taking the exam for another 2 years. Did I say she is in the top band for everything? Clever girl.

Bless BT, the phone came on line just I went to bed

Day 91 - Squeezing up the Stairs

Thursday July 15th

Our ship has come in! All day at the new house, directing our three moving guys into various rooms. A big job for them but they did very well given they had 4 floors to contend with.

A slight hiccup with the sofas but we agreed to keep the big blue one downstairs and then willed the leather one to get up one flight. Finally it did and Mrs N was happy.

We checked out the new athletics track and astro-turf in Bar End. It only opens from 8am and costs 2 quid to run on it. Looks like I will have to join the Winchester and District Athletic Club

Went into town to eat and ran into the Winchester 5k. How I wanted to be running - I'm sure I can get sub 20 mins now, especially on a flat course. Instead I watched them forlornly from the window - the Winchester running vest of black with yellow horizontal stripe looked very fetching.

Finished off at the Maths Dept party. Enjoyed spending more time with my new colleagues and mostly listened. It will certainly be entertaining in the staffroom, if nothing else!

Day 82 - The Wykeham Arms

Tuesday July 7th

Alice had her first day at St Faiths yesterday and some kid called Theo threw pebbles at her. Nice. They only get worse as they get older and then they come to Kings'

The Maths staff room is very interesting as it is all women. The two male Maths teachers are both Heads of Year and so are out and about all day. They are all characters and sitting with them over lunch is quite daunting. I think I am going to have to find ways to get out and about myself.

Went to pick up our new car - a 3 year old Renault Scenic with 7 seats and then went out for a drink with Kevin. Kevin used to work for me 11 years ago so it's a legitimate first foray into pub going. He took me to the Wykeham Arms about which I got very excited as I could see me taking the boys from Hastings there for a few pints and a game of darts.

Day 12 - A Day With Dr Beglane

After a gentle early morning jog, I was picked up by Dr Beglane and spent the day at Family School 32 in Yonkers, NY. The objective was to get first hand experience of class room management techniques (good and bad) through observation and the day proved to be very useful.

I was a little nervous but soon settled down and took copious notes. The morning was spent observing 6th Grade and then the afternoon 7th and 8th Maths. I think I saw it all! Plenty of material to learn from and I was pretty tired by the end of the day. I ended up writing a 6 page report so that will go straight into the evidence file under classroom management.

When school finished there were may be 15 kids who came up to me and remembered my name. That felt good.

Weather continues to be very hot