Happy Christmas Break Eve!

Well, almost another week has gone by…but this one has been quite different. There’s something oddly “festive” about it. It’s almost like something amazing is going to be happening at the end of it all. Oh yeah, IT’S CHRISTMAS BREAK EVE!!!!! A little name I like to give this time of year when knowing that the next day is that last of the school term for two weeks. A two week break in which we get to spend time at home, enjoy the holidays, and to ring in a New Year! I definitely look forward to all of these things, but first; let’s see how we got here…

The school week has been moving along at quite a nice pace up to this point. All of my Year 7 and 8 classes are performing their assessment tasks for the second unit. They all had time last week to work together with their groups to create their performances and this week is the time to show them on stage. For the most part they have all been quite enjoyable. There are always the odd groups that should have used their time a bit more wisely, but it’s great to see what some of the students come up with for their scenarios. Plus, it’s funny to be able to pick out some of the students that are definitely going to stick with this subject as an option subject and most likely do very well. One downside however, the Everest of marking that I am now slowly chipping away at. I know, I know…it’s part of the deal. I get to come into work and lead these classes in a subject that I absolutely love, direct and help them with their scenes, and then get to watch them. But, somewhere in there I have to be a teacher and nothing says “Teacher” more than marking. It’s going slowly but surely, I’ve got most of their performances done but I also have to mark a response for each individual student which is eating up the most amount of time. It’ll get done though.

Tuesday was a bit of an easier day. Cheam was having an Activity Day that day so I was able to participate in it. An Activity Day for the school is a day in which all of the different subjects take students on either a field trip or have somebody come into the school for a workshop. The Music Department had a musician come in to teach for a day, the English department went to the Globe for a performance, the French department went to France for two days (yeah), and Drama went to a matinee production of “Jersey Boys”. I hadn’t seen it before and I also haven’t been to see a musical in the West End yet so this provided me with a wonderful opportunity to catch a show for educational purposes!!...and for free. I’ll post a review of the experience soon.

Wednesday and Thursday have been lurching by at much the same pace as the previous couple of days. I did find out on Wednesday that I would be kept on at Cheam until February half term at the earliest! They’re not sure exactly how long they’re going to need me for so I’m booked until then and after that point everything will be re-evaluated. I’m definitely looking forward to having a lot of these classes for a consistent basis and getting to know the kids a lot of better. I definitely want to try and build something in the classroom and who knows…maybe it might turn into something even bigger if they feel like I’ve become an important part of the department. I don’t want to get ahead of myself though. On Thursday I had a great opportunity to watch a PEP class work on their pantomime performance for tomorrow. PEP is the Post-16 Entry Level Programme. It’s a sixth form program for post 16 students with a statement of moderate learning disabilities who want to do vocational or life skills courses at further education or residential colleges. The program provides a stepping stone for those who aren’t ready by the age of 16 to do so. The students in the class were absolutely amazing and very funny! The show itself is a funny take on Cinderella taking place in Sutton itself. The teachers in this program are also very kind and patient and they were amazing to allow me to sit in and watch. It’s definitely a performance worth seeing for those in the program.

That’s about it so far…things will be a lot more interesting once the week-end starts I promise. Tomorrow’s only a half day before the holidays begin so it will be a short one and then I’m heading out tomorrow night with a bunch of the other staff members for a pub quiz night in Fulham which I’m really looking forward to. Saturday I’m going to see a Christmas pantomime show of Peter Pan starring DAVID HASSELHOFF as Hook!!! Right? Weird I know. That should be interesting….hopefully he won’t appear on stage drunk wielding a cheeseburger instead of a sword. On Sunday, Jeremy arrives! After that it’s fun times had by all. 

Until then…

Cheers, love, and happy holidays!!!

Erik