Posted 1:38 AM by Lodger
Free period. Blogging. Should be marking. Feel very tired at the end of this week. Want to sleep, sleep, sleep.

Next week should be pretty relaxed. Three year groups are off normal timetable, although two will be in the school doing activities. Problem: management hasn't really informed us of our roll in these activities. So I roll with the punches, do what I'm told, sleepwalk through it, really. It's all so poorly organised, how can I take ownership over my part when I don't really know what that part is.

Enough complaining.

Posted 6:07 AM by Lodger
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS MAKE

Two days after my last blog, a rather melancholy one if I'm to be truthful, I feel vastly different, quite the opposite, in fact.

Yesterday was a lovely day. During lunch, before PM registration, I put graduation cards on each of the desks of my form students, along with a cup of sparkling grape juice. When they came in, they were all quite touched, and excited as well. The vibe in the room was very much one of togetherness. I toasted them all, wishing 'the best (and only) form group I've ever had' a successful future, and then we ate chocolate, exchanged email address, and signed shirts and leaving books. Their leaving assembly was great fun, Winnie did a great job providing some serious, and some not so serious, awards. Afterwards they all spilt into the front foyer saying goodbye to each other, many of them (boys and girls) weeping their hearts out.

I've battled daily with the students in my form. At times, it has been the most trying aspect of my time at the school. But then they go, and you realise that after seeing them 5 days a week for the better part of three years, that you miss them. They really are good kids, all of them. One of my most difficult little angels... Miss Always Late and Often Defiant... gave me a hug at the end of it all and thanked me for being a good form tutor. I have to admit, it made me feel pretty good, and that heading home yesterday I was walking tall.

Posted 4:03 PM by Lodger
YEAR 11 PROM


Been a bit of a funny week. Year 11s are about to go on study leave and then begin writing their final exams. Every fibre of my being has been awaiting these weeks with eager anticipation... no more year 11 English class and, more importantly, no more form! My relationship with my form has been a rocky one, and I fully admit, I'll be happy to see the back of them. And yet, I also have to admit, I'll miss them. Tonight at the prom I felt some pride seeing them all grown up, dressed in their suits and ball gowns. And so tonight, at just past midnight, I find myself finishing writing the last of 27 graduation cards... many of them don't deserve them maybe, but sometimes you don't do things because you should, but because you want to.

EX-PUPILS

On a similar topic: over the past two weeks have had the opportunity to speak to two of last year's grads who were in my English. One served Emma at House of Fraser and the other stopped by the school to say hello. Both were lovely and are doing very well, taking A levels now. Both spoke fondly of my class, and were genuinely interested in my life and future plans. The meetings couldn't have come at a better time for me. This year has been a slog professionally, the school being a generally unpleasant place to teach since recent personel changes. I owe Zoe and Nairan, these ex-pupils, a super-sized thankyou for reminding me why it's all worth it.

FA CUP FINAL

Em and I watched the FA cup final in The Knight's Templar, a pub up behind the Royal Courts of Justice on Fleet Street. Liverpool beat WestHam on penalties after the score was even 3-3 at full time. This was a good result for Em and I, although most of our London friends would vehemently disagree.

Whatever. After watching that game, regardless of the final score, I can declare with hand on heart: Steven Gerard is a God. Two clutch goals to tie the match twice, both improbably ferocious strikes.

Only one question remains. He's done it time and again for Liverpool. Can he do it for England?