Students Return

Well, students returned to school today and what a hive of activity it was. Most things ran smoothly, and my faith in my abilities has slowly begun to return - thank goodness. It's probably the long holidays - forgetting some aspects of the job - well perhaps not forgetting, but some things seem to dim or are put on the backburner.

So it was with pleasure that I began with my new year 11s. Seem like a nice bunch - at the moment - heaps of girls. I took in a frying pan and my old SIGG drink bottle for a free writing exercise - this seemed to work very well and provided just the right amount of 'oddness' that can differentiate a class from others (in students' minds anyway). A couple of kids read their stuff. We followed this up with a newspaper photo on OHT - of a young Russian soldier voting - and the kids had a go at 'reading' the image. We also did some impromtu speaking on some topics I managed to jot down a few minutes before (socks, grass, boys and men, pasta, nu-metal etc.) They seemed to understand the point or were at least willing to have a go. We finished by looking at a newspaper article about a successful y12 last year and the tips she gave for success at VCE. Perhaps well do a SWAT/goal thing tomorrow and then begin reading some of 'Maestro' in class.

Year 7s were interesting - quiet and shy and nervous. They all seem to have new shoes that are rubbing or that are not worn in yet. It was quite fun having this lot - they look so innocent and fresh faced. No problems with those that have been identified as 'special needs' yet - I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to all that. We wrote a letter and talked about an assignment (Kerry threw this at me earlier in the day - I was typing up an Allan Griffin type survey but didn't get finished - perhaps for my y8s next week?) Marilyn Watson was also in this class as an integration aide - and I'm sure she'll turn out to be a great help.

Yr12 after lunch was cut short by a meeting called by Tony. I planned to take them through the same stuff as the yr11s but we only made it through the writing and the reading.

So not a bad day. In fact during lunchtime I was on a high - I remembered why I love this job. Kids and great relationships.

One interesting story before I go. I have the Knights twins for English (Brad and Chris) - I don't know these boys at all other that what I've heard around. In the morning after homegroup, Brad wonders up and says in a half joking, half smart-arsy way,

'I have you for English. Are you Qualified?' I was on my toes and returned,

'Why don't you wait and let me know in a couple of weeks what you think?' This seemed to satisfy him. In class later that day, Chris has a go to - in front of the whole class -

'Have you every taught y12 English before?' This didn't surprise me either, so I told everybody that if they were unhappy in a couple of weeks to come and speak to me, that they were also free to make suggestions and comments etc. This seemed to be enough for them.

I think teaching this bunch will help be get tougher. I have KO'D back too, which I'm happy about (I think).