Week 9 (17 - 23 September 2006)
On Sunday we declined the offer of being taken to the Kuluva morning service and not just because of the 40-60 min walk. It starts at 8am! We had a more leisurely start to the day instead before sorting things out in the house. At 11am we took a break to go to meet our neighbours and walk around the school site. We were able to relax a bit more by the afternoon although our furniture is very limited and we have only a few books. The box for the cooker is our only table.
Monday was our first day at school! Having not slept well (the excitement?) we got up at 7am and did some washing. Why not? Don’t most normal people wash their clothes first thing in the morning? The washing machine wasn’t working too well so I had to help her by rinsing the clothes a couple of times. Remember - no electricity. At least the carpets didn’t get wet. We don’t have any and concrete dries quickly here even early in the morning.
After a visit by the Principal to inspect the work on the house (no the carpentry team hadn’t turned up to finish it) we were collected by the Deputy Principal. Honoured guests indeed. Actually, John is our next door neighbour! So we set off on our journey to work. There were a few hold ups – a few chickens got in our way – but all of five minutes later we were in the staff room. The staff meeting was due to start at 10.00am but was delayed because most of the staff hadn’t arrived. We were given a warm welcome and introductions most of the meeting was taken up with a review of where each of the four classes was in the syllabus for each subject. The Principal asked if the teachers were ready to start lessons the following day! Not quite what we are used to. The Head of Physics, who also teaches Maths, leaves in two weeks and they were asking around the table for other staff to cover his duties. The only other teacher of Physics is also the Director of Studies so, wait for it, I was asked if I would be the Head of Physics!!! This must be the fastest promotion on record – 90 minutes after starting ‘work’. I said I would find out more about the role before giving an answer. We arranged to see some lessons and will no doubt visit others – our need to learn how the school operated was explained to the staff so we hope it won’t be too traumatic for them.
After we had returned home to have some lunch, another neighbour called in to say that there was a (late) staff lunch. Although we had just eaten, we felt the need to be with the staff – it turns out they were waiting for us! It seems that they don’t give vital information easily unless you ask, so we started asking from then on about things like “Where do you get chalk?” and “Do you register the class for each lesson?” [On the staff room table and no, because the students are boarders, have their own assigned desk so when you see a gap you ask who is missing and make a note.] We then took a walk around the classrooms to practice writing on the chalkboards.
As we have got a bit behind with washing, we had to do another lot before settling down to reflect on what we have learnt and start some preparation. One way to avoid spending to much time on school work is to get rid of the washing machine. I can think of more agreeable diversions.
The students have been arriving today and we have met a few. Already we can sense the respect students have for teachers. This will take a bit of getting used to! They have to fetch their own water from the pump which is about 50 meters from our house and carry it quite a long way, and it’s heavy. I can just about carry a 20 litre container (which takes 74 ‘pumps’ to fill. A good way to get exercise, but definitely for the young.
Tuesday: When we arrived on Saturday the workmen were still fixing the window screens and left with some fairly large parts incomplete. We eagerly waited for their arrival on Monday to no avail and after the Principal went to the home of the contractor we were assured that they would arrive today. Which they did, at 12.30pm, and started work at 1pm before taking a lunch break until 2.20pm! John, the Deputy Principal then spent the rest of the afternoon with the team of three encouraging and supervising until 6pm. It would be wonderful to say that the work is complete. But we can’t. Some varnishing needs to be completed along with minor repairs to the plaster. So hopefully tomorrow we’ll be able to stop moving our very limited furniture around to make space for them. John also arranged for us to borrow a school table and two student desks so at least we can work more easily.
As the workmen were expected or around, we took turns going to the staffroom to work or just sit with the staff. Having such a small teaching staff (about 9) in a spacious room makes a change for us. The atmosphere was businesslike but much more relaxed than I have known for many years. By evening about half of the students had returned and there was a steady stream of pupil waiting to have their luggage and clothes checked by the teachers – every item was inspected for decency and appropriateness as some items are definitely prohibited. Around 7pm we heard drums and singing in the distance – had we not been so tired we would have gone to see where the students.
Andrea has started to prepare some lessons for her S1 and S2 classes (Year 8 and 9 equivalents) but I’m still waiting for the schemes of work – promised tomorrow! It’s frustrating having some time available but not being able to make the best use of it – and being interrupted by the workmen. But we’ll just have to be patient. The daily routines are still very demanding and difficult and we’ll look for some help as soon as possible, at least to do the washing and clean the house. Andrea will probably continue to do the cooking which will become easier when we have shelves etc and possibly some lights in the kitchen and bathroom area – solar powered or even candles – but without shelves or hooks or tools we’ll make do for now.
Andrea was up early ready to observe a double Maths lesson on Wednesday leaving me to – well, get up! But I did eventually do some of the chores. When she returned I went to arrange an observation – S4 Accounts. Five students only as it is an optional subject and not the most interesting subject to observe. During the morning break we realised that the Chemistry teacher wasn’t in so S3 would miss their lesson – I asked of it would be appropriate for me to take it so with 5 min warning I took my first 1h 20min lesson. Fortunately our experience at Zeu SS and the brief observation helped orientate me. I think it was of some help to them and will make it easier for me to prepare future lessons.
The first staff worship meeting was held today at the instigation of one of the staff. Only 6 of us attended this time but it was an interesting and worthwhile experience.
Our carpentry was not finished today as the workers were concentrating on laying the foundations for the new pit latrine. It also rained a fair bit – and our battery didn’t charge much so I’m writing by candle light!
On Thursday I was up early today to observe Period 1 (7.30am) S4 Physics (O-level year) to discover that it had been swapped to P3-4! Saw S3 Chemistry instead. During the whole 1h 40min lesson where a lengthy calculation was explained not a single student spoke except when asked by the teacher! We had a visit from Cathy Asiki in the afternoon. She is a UK secondary Maths teacher but now lives in Arua. She explained many things to us in a way we could understand! For example, it’s normal to take a week for all the students to arrive at the school. Ushindi is unusual in starting to teach during that week! I also visited the Chemistry practical. This is after normal lessons and runs from 4 – 6pm, so the students have been working for most of 11 hours! We also investigated the student devotions (7 – 7.45pm) and were asked to introduce ourselves – again. The singing was VERY loud and lasted for about 35 minutes before someone gave a brief message.
On Friday we took a taxi to Arua for provisions. There was very heavy rain on the way and the marked was flooded. I don’t mean just wet. We went there about 30 mins after the rain had stopped and parts of it were still under at least 12 inches (30 cm) of water and there were signs that it had been considerably deeper. No wonder that everything stops when it rains! Later in the afternoon we went to the staffroom for tea – a daily occurrence at 4pm. We discovered that there was a full school assembly and all teachers were expected to attend. So much for the tea – and we were parched! Of course we were asked to introduce ourselves – yet again.
Went into town again on Saturday but with Cathy Asiki who gave us another tour and helped find things we hadn’t noticed! We were also able to borrow a second gas cylinder from her and used it to get a filled one so at least that’s one other thing we don’t need to worry about for a while. Cathy gave us lunch too and allowed us to use her internet to catch up with e-mails. Saw John Onduma back at the school – he was visiting to see the progress on the buildings was going, or not! Hard to believe we’ve been here for a whole week!
Monday was our first day at school! Having not slept well (the excitement?) we got up at 7am and did some washing. Why not? Don’t most normal people wash their clothes first thing in the morning? The washing machine wasn’t working too well so I had to help her by rinsing the clothes a couple of times. Remember - no electricity. At least the carpets didn’t get wet. We don’t have any and concrete dries quickly here even early in the morning.
After a visit by the Principal to inspect the work on the house (no the carpentry team hadn’t turned up to finish it) we were collected by the Deputy Principal. Honoured guests indeed. Actually, John is our next door neighbour! So we set off on our journey to work. There were a few hold ups – a few chickens got in our way – but all of five minutes later we were in the staff room. The staff meeting was due to start at 10.00am but was delayed because most of the staff hadn’t arrived. We were given a warm welcome and introductions most of the meeting was taken up with a review of where each of the four classes was in the syllabus for each subject. The Principal asked if the teachers were ready to start lessons the following day! Not quite what we are used to. The Head of Physics, who also teaches Maths, leaves in two weeks and they were asking around the table for other staff to cover his duties. The only other teacher of Physics is also the Director of Studies so, wait for it, I was asked if I would be the Head of Physics!!! This must be the fastest promotion on record – 90 minutes after starting ‘work’. I said I would find out more about the role before giving an answer. We arranged to see some lessons and will no doubt visit others – our need to learn how the school operated was explained to the staff so we hope it won’t be too traumatic for them.
After we had returned home to have some lunch, another neighbour called in to say that there was a (late) staff lunch. Although we had just eaten, we felt the need to be with the staff – it turns out they were waiting for us! It seems that they don’t give vital information easily unless you ask, so we started asking from then on about things like “Where do you get chalk?” and “Do you register the class for each lesson?” [On the staff room table and no, because the students are boarders, have their own assigned desk so when you see a gap you ask who is missing and make a note.] We then took a walk around the classrooms to practice writing on the chalkboards.
As we have got a bit behind with washing, we had to do another lot before settling down to reflect on what we have learnt and start some preparation. One way to avoid spending to much time on school work is to get rid of the washing machine. I can think of more agreeable diversions.
The students have been arriving today and we have met a few. Already we can sense the respect students have for teachers. This will take a bit of getting used to! They have to fetch their own water from the pump which is about 50 meters from our house and carry it quite a long way, and it’s heavy. I can just about carry a 20 litre container (which takes 74 ‘pumps’ to fill. A good way to get exercise, but definitely for the young.
Tuesday: When we arrived on Saturday the workmen were still fixing the window screens and left with some fairly large parts incomplete. We eagerly waited for their arrival on Monday to no avail and after the Principal went to the home of the contractor we were assured that they would arrive today. Which they did, at 12.30pm, and started work at 1pm before taking a lunch break until 2.20pm! John, the Deputy Principal then spent the rest of the afternoon with the team of three encouraging and supervising until 6pm. It would be wonderful to say that the work is complete. But we can’t. Some varnishing needs to be completed along with minor repairs to the plaster. So hopefully tomorrow we’ll be able to stop moving our very limited furniture around to make space for them. John also arranged for us to borrow a school table and two student desks so at least we can work more easily.
As the workmen were expected or around, we took turns going to the staffroom to work or just sit with the staff. Having such a small teaching staff (about 9) in a spacious room makes a change for us. The atmosphere was businesslike but much more relaxed than I have known for many years. By evening about half of the students had returned and there was a steady stream of pupil waiting to have their luggage and clothes checked by the teachers – every item was inspected for decency and appropriateness as some items are definitely prohibited. Around 7pm we heard drums and singing in the distance – had we not been so tired we would have gone to see where the students.
Andrea has started to prepare some lessons for her S1 and S2 classes (Year 8 and 9 equivalents) but I’m still waiting for the schemes of work – promised tomorrow! It’s frustrating having some time available but not being able to make the best use of it – and being interrupted by the workmen. But we’ll just have to be patient. The daily routines are still very demanding and difficult and we’ll look for some help as soon as possible, at least to do the washing and clean the house. Andrea will probably continue to do the cooking which will become easier when we have shelves etc and possibly some lights in the kitchen and bathroom area – solar powered or even candles – but without shelves or hooks or tools we’ll make do for now.
Andrea was up early ready to observe a double Maths lesson on Wednesday leaving me to – well, get up! But I did eventually do some of the chores. When she returned I went to arrange an observation – S4 Accounts. Five students only as it is an optional subject and not the most interesting subject to observe. During the morning break we realised that the Chemistry teacher wasn’t in so S3 would miss their lesson – I asked of it would be appropriate for me to take it so with 5 min warning I took my first 1h 20min lesson. Fortunately our experience at Zeu SS and the brief observation helped orientate me. I think it was of some help to them and will make it easier for me to prepare future lessons.
The first staff worship meeting was held today at the instigation of one of the staff. Only 6 of us attended this time but it was an interesting and worthwhile experience.
Our carpentry was not finished today as the workers were concentrating on laying the foundations for the new pit latrine. It also rained a fair bit – and our battery didn’t charge much so I’m writing by candle light!
On Thursday I was up early today to observe Period 1 (7.30am) S4 Physics (O-level year) to discover that it had been swapped to P3-4! Saw S3 Chemistry instead. During the whole 1h 40min lesson where a lengthy calculation was explained not a single student spoke except when asked by the teacher! We had a visit from Cathy Asiki in the afternoon. She is a UK secondary Maths teacher but now lives in Arua. She explained many things to us in a way we could understand! For example, it’s normal to take a week for all the students to arrive at the school. Ushindi is unusual in starting to teach during that week! I also visited the Chemistry practical. This is after normal lessons and runs from 4 – 6pm, so the students have been working for most of 11 hours! We also investigated the student devotions (7 – 7.45pm) and were asked to introduce ourselves – again. The singing was VERY loud and lasted for about 35 minutes before someone gave a brief message.
On Friday we took a taxi to Arua for provisions. There was very heavy rain on the way and the marked was flooded. I don’t mean just wet. We went there about 30 mins after the rain had stopped and parts of it were still under at least 12 inches (30 cm) of water and there were signs that it had been considerably deeper. No wonder that everything stops when it rains! Later in the afternoon we went to the staffroom for tea – a daily occurrence at 4pm. We discovered that there was a full school assembly and all teachers were expected to attend. So much for the tea – and we were parched! Of course we were asked to introduce ourselves – yet again.
Went into town again on Saturday but with Cathy Asiki who gave us another tour and helped find things we hadn’t noticed! We were also able to borrow a second gas cylinder from her and used it to get a filled one so at least that’s one other thing we don’t need to worry about for a while. Cathy gave us lunch too and allowed us to use her internet to catch up with e-mails. Saw John Onduma back at the school – he was visiting to see the progress on the buildings was going, or not! Hard to believe we’ve been here for a whole week!
posted by Anonymous at 10:00 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home