Week 33 (4 – 10 Mar 2007)
After a busy week we took advantage of the last quiet day before students returned and stayed on site pottering. On Monday the students started arriving at 8am. Andrea helped to check their belongings – that they had the ‘right’ things and not anything not permitted or too revealing! She spend most of the day doing this and by 7pm about 120 of the expected 150 students had checked in. I spent the day in town but helped with the checking in towards the end of the day.
Teaching started on Tuesday and it was good to get back into the swing of things. Andrea returned from her first lesson saying “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed teaching!” My first lesson wasn’t until Wednesday, but I had a similar reaction. The classes are not identical to last term as there have been some leavers and joiners to them all.
We had our first staff briefing at the morning tea break. This is an attempt to improve communication and planning but actually seemed to leave us more confused about some things. It’s very odd listening to someone speaking in English for several minutes and then realise that you have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about or what point they are trying to make. Just like home, I suppose!
The rest of the week seemed to fly past (and the following week too, which is when I’m actually writing this!). Fortunately, the classrooms seem to be the coolest places on site and often have a breeze blowing through so the heat doesn’t seem to affect us while teaching.
On Thursday I had a brief meeting with the Principal to discuss several issues, mainly from the Monday briefing. This was useful but there are many many more things to discuss in order to help us really understand how things work here.
On Friday I spoke at the daily evening devotions. We will take it in turns to attend and speak each Friday and have chosen to do a single theme (the Lord’s Prayer). Sadly the Chairman of the Scripture Union has not been able to return to the school due to health reasons so things seem a little disorganised. Well, more so than usual! After devotions we both went over the end of last term exam paper with a class each.
Saturday started of very wet so we delayed our trip to town until nearer lunchtime. It was pleasantly cool when we set off but within an hour the clouds cleared and the temperatures rose rapidly. We manage to fit in a visit to our Canadian friends for some knitting first aid. We even have text messages asking for help. I pass on all my knitting knowledge freely. It doesn’t take long and then hand the phone to the Mrs Beaton of wool.
Teaching started on Tuesday and it was good to get back into the swing of things. Andrea returned from her first lesson saying “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed teaching!” My first lesson wasn’t until Wednesday, but I had a similar reaction. The classes are not identical to last term as there have been some leavers and joiners to them all.
We had our first staff briefing at the morning tea break. This is an attempt to improve communication and planning but actually seemed to leave us more confused about some things. It’s very odd listening to someone speaking in English for several minutes and then realise that you have absolutely no idea what they’re talking about or what point they are trying to make. Just like home, I suppose!
The rest of the week seemed to fly past (and the following week too, which is when I’m actually writing this!). Fortunately, the classrooms seem to be the coolest places on site and often have a breeze blowing through so the heat doesn’t seem to affect us while teaching.
On Thursday I had a brief meeting with the Principal to discuss several issues, mainly from the Monday briefing. This was useful but there are many many more things to discuss in order to help us really understand how things work here.
On Friday I spoke at the daily evening devotions. We will take it in turns to attend and speak each Friday and have chosen to do a single theme (the Lord’s Prayer). Sadly the Chairman of the Scripture Union has not been able to return to the school due to health reasons so things seem a little disorganised. Well, more so than usual! After devotions we both went over the end of last term exam paper with a class each.
Saturday started of very wet so we delayed our trip to town until nearer lunchtime. It was pleasantly cool when we set off but within an hour the clouds cleared and the temperatures rose rapidly. We manage to fit in a visit to our Canadian friends for some knitting first aid. We even have text messages asking for help. I pass on all my knitting knowledge freely. It doesn’t take long and then hand the phone to the Mrs Beaton of wool.
posted by J & A McAdam at 10:35 PM
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