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A School in a category all its own!

New school year, new school, and what a cracker I have this time.  I am hating it. The school is one of the worst in the district.  I am a temporary maternity cover, working in a two form entry early years class, I am working with an NQT (newly qualified teacher), who is very knowledgable and, I suppose the best/most tactful word is, bold. By he pressure on the school and staff is immense.  To his credit the headteacher is really trying to support his staff and protect them.  Again it's an early years setting that needs a lot of work, but unlike before where I could make the changes needed, the teacher is charge returns in the new year and she has some very strict procedures in place. I have to keep reminding myself I'm only there until half term!  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I need it!

Biene Owah!

Our latest topic is A Bug's Life.   Picked so that we could join the older classes on a school trip, so I could carry on my streak of never having planned one.

It is, again,a science heavy topic, but the children are all very engaged and bring in books and bugs from home.

Three weeks before the end of term, end of the school year, end of my contract at this school, I was told the school involvement officer wanted to look around.  "Feel free, we're not doing anything special.  Only making honey sandwiches."  

The next morning I arrived at my usual time and walked across the classroom to my desk.  Ooh!  The little neck hairs had got caught in my necklace, as I reached up to fix it, I felt something in my hand.  It was a bee, it flew away, all be it a little squiffy.  

I went to get a cold pack, one of the lovely ladies at breakfast club looked at it and pulled out the stinger.  I told everyone I saw.  My TA, the navy seal, wasn't happy and drove me to the local A and E department.  Where I was informed that all I needed to do was pop an antihistamine. I didn't tell school that though, the rest of the morning buzzed by.

Most dramatic way to get out of an observation, to date.

Lara the Lion

This is a throw back and a half.  Two years ago as part of Art Week in the village school.  I was tasked, with my group, to make a rag rug lion.  It took days, we were given an extension because it was a tricky task for little fingers to do.  And it was finally ready for the parents assembly (which was at 2.40)  at 2.35.  Just in the nick of time, but it was the feature if the week and always got favourable comments.  It is probably languishing in a cupboard somewhere.

Early years consultant anyone?

As the weeks have progressed, without being too unprofessional, I have become aware that there are glaring discrepancies in the early years provision at the second village school.  I mentioned my concerns to the leadership team, and was informed that my replacement was new to the early years and any changes I felt necessary to make were left up to me.  This was further cemented by a visit from the local area advisory teacher.  Who agreed with my findings.  She kept repeating "this is no reflection on you."  I wanted to say I know, I'm secure enough in my teaching ability (amazing after what I have been through) to know that I really know my stuff.

These words were music to my ears, within and hour of the adviser leaving, the children and I, had completely rearranged  the classroom.  It now has nooks and crannies, and workspaces that are related to the curriculum.

It is a learning environment that celebrates the children and their achievements (two of the girls spent an afternoon planning and putting up a phonics display, 5 year olds), encourages independence and purposeful play. 

Last Day - got my mojo back

After five months today is my last day at the RC school.  It hasn't always been easy, the children were quite a handful.

 But after weeks of training they are finally a settled class.  It is such a shame to be leaving, but I case easy in the knowledge that they will be in good hands.

  The new class teacher is lovely and very similar to me in many ways.

The school were very welcoming and appreciative of me.  As I was finding it difficult to imagine being a teacher any more I am happy to say the school has most Definitely given me my mojo back.

I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me.  But I am very excited about being a teacher again.

Last Day at the little village school

I finally made it, today was my last day at the little village school.

It has been a very long week, tying up loose ends, sorting and tidying up and just basically getting ready to leave.  

The end of the school year is always a mixed bag of emotions, sad to be handing over a cohort you have cared for and nurtured for the past year, excited about the year ahead and relieved that it is finally over!

This year however was particularly sad because I was moving on, for good.  

It has been a very stressful couple of years and working had begun to affect my health.  It wasn't easy but after a lot ( a heck of a lot) of soul searching I decided that I needed to move on.

To give myself a chance to have a family of my own, I would have to remove as much stess from life as possible.  That stress was most definitely work related.

Today began quite manically, my TA was unavoidably detained and all of the parents from my class and other classes seemed to be congregating in my classroom.  I was called out by the head for a "chat", which was all a ruse, when I retuned all children were sat in a circle and there parents were all there.  

As I walked in I was suddenly hit by the enormity of what I was doing and I crumbled, a had to leave the room to compose myself.  The parents had organised a lovely book with pictures all of the children I had taught it.  They also gave me vouchers worth over £100, their generosity has completely blown me away.  As Mrs F said "it just goes to show how much you were appreciated."

We then made our way to the local church, for the year six leavers service, always an emotional moment.  After that we had a tidy up, lunch, another assembly.  I was able to say a few words about how lovely the children are and how much I'd miss them.  Then it was home time, but as I arrived back in the classroom some of the parents were already there, I had left the door open!  They had organised a little tea party to say goodbye.  I was extremely touched by this and felt a year or two on my cheek.

I have learned a lot about myself as a person and as a teacher the past five years.  I am very sad to be leaving, but there is also a small feeling if relief.  I am now officially a supply teacher an as such can plan my own hours. Having said that my first placement is three months in a local RC school, a new challenge that I am looking forward too.