Sometimes I find myself wondering if what I do is actually worthwhile - do the young people I work so hard to educate actually appreciate it?
Every now and then little things happen that make me realise that, although they don't show it all that often, they really do appreciate you. There's been a couple of moments like that for me this last week.
Last night was our yr 12's formal and I was seriously considering not going this year. I don't have a yr 12 class this yr, we've had a few huge weeks at school including a parent teacher meet and greet evening and we have open day tomorrow, meaning a one day weekend. So, I brought the topic up with the 6 yr 12s in my Oratory (this is what we call our vertically streamed homegroups) and this was roughly how the conversation went:
Me: I'm wondering whether or not to go to formal on Friday
Student: Really??
Me: Mmmm. Well, I don't have a yr 12 class...
Student: But you have us and ... you've had us for nearly 3 yrs now! You have to come. We want a photo with you!
Which set off the others telling me I had to be there... made me feel a bit like a mother hen really!
So there I was last night. Yr 12 formals are always a funny night. The kids spend so long (especially the girls) waiting for it and planning every tiny detail of their outfits, then on the actual night most of them stand around fairly awkwardly not really knowing what to do with themselves! They do look gorgeous (boys and girls) all decked out in cocktail/evening dresses and suits. Also, watching the girls totter around trying not to fall off their shoes is always fun!
Then for the next set of moments that made me realise teachers matter - a couple of my past students were at the event as dates for current yr 12s. I went over to one (who'd been in my Oratory but left before he finished school) and had a bit of a chat. He was quite pleased that I'd gone to talk to him and proceeded to tell me what he was up to now.
I then almost bumped into another one from the Oratory who'd graduated a couple of yrs ago... he'd been a bit of a handful to be honest, but he seemed genuinely pleased to have a chance to tell me how well everything was going, asked about how the Oratory was now and if I was still "in charge" like I was when he went through (I must've told him off at least 3 times a day!!!). We had a bit of a chat and a laugh and it was another one of those mother hen moments.
The final one happened as I was about to leave - it was approaching 11pm and I thought I'd leave before turning into a pumpkin. I went up to where the kids were all being photographed and saw a couple of my Oratory - they realised I was about to leave and jumped up to round up the others so they could have a proper group photo with their teacher... nawww.
I probably whinge and whine a lot about aspects of my job at times, but it's those little moments with the kids that's really what teaching is all about.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thinking of Christchurch
I've just spent a reasonable amount of time reading about the most recent earthquake in Christchurch, NZ. My heart goes out to the people of this lovely city.
We spent a few days in Christchurch on our honeymoon at the start of 2010. We thought it was a beautiful city and found the people very friendly. It has brought tears to my eyes seeing the images of the distraught people and the damaged areas of the city. The images of the cathedral in particular are sticking with me - it was a beautiful old cathedral and looks so unlike itself without its spire. Nature can be truly terrifying!
This is how I remember Christchurch
We have all seen the images that are coming out of Christchurch at the moment.
To those people who have lost loved ones in this natural disaster, there are a lot of people keeping you all in their thoughts.
Let's hope that there are no more aftershocks, no more lives are lost, no more damage is done.
We spent a few days in Christchurch on our honeymoon at the start of 2010. We thought it was a beautiful city and found the people very friendly. It has brought tears to my eyes seeing the images of the distraught people and the damaged areas of the city. The images of the cathedral in particular are sticking with me - it was a beautiful old cathedral and looks so unlike itself without its spire. Nature can be truly terrifying!
This is how I remember Christchurch
We have all seen the images that are coming out of Christchurch at the moment.
To those people who have lost loved ones in this natural disaster, there are a lot of people keeping you all in their thoughts.
Let's hope that there are no more aftershocks, no more lives are lost, no more damage is done.
Friday, February 11, 2011
The end of a long week
This week was the first full week with students at school. It was long. I now remember why I love Friday afternoons so much. I can't believe I'd forgotten!!!
So how am I travelling?
I'm still keeping up with my goal to go to the gym 3-4 times a week (seeing the trainer twice a week helps keep the total visits up, but it has generally been 4 times a week). I feel pretty good about that. I do feel a lot stronger and I'm not getting back and shoulder pain like I used to. I'm not really losing any weight though (don't think I'm losing size either), so I think I need to do something about eating... more to the point, how much I eat, exactly what I'm eating and when I eat! I decided to let the weightwatchers membershp go a couple of weeks ago, becasue they changed their system and it really wasn't working for me. Also, I think because I've been subscribing to WW for so long now I got bored and stopped paying attention to it enough. I think if I re-think my food each day I should be able to manage to lose weight without feeling hungry and grumpy. This next week I aim to eat more protein, a lot less rice and pasta, and not touch the bikkie barrel at work.
The whole size issue does get to me every now and then, I actually get quite depressed about it even though I know what I need to do to fix the problem:
I know I've lost 15kg in the past and kept it off for almost 2 years, but then I went and put it all back on again in the space of 6 months! It really does upset me when I look in the mirror and see fat face, or bulgy bits that just look repulsive.
I know I'm working to lose it again and also changing my lifestyle so that it's more active. I know it is having a positive impact on how strong I am. I know that eventually I will see results and change my shape.
I know that my being a size 12-14 is not obese, even though according to BMI calculations I am obese. I also know from experience that for me 8kg does not equal a dress size. 15kg is a dress size in my case. So I have a lot of hardwork ahead of me. Can I do it? YES I CAN!
So how am I travelling?
I'm still keeping up with my goal to go to the gym 3-4 times a week (seeing the trainer twice a week helps keep the total visits up, but it has generally been 4 times a week). I feel pretty good about that. I do feel a lot stronger and I'm not getting back and shoulder pain like I used to. I'm not really losing any weight though (don't think I'm losing size either), so I think I need to do something about eating... more to the point, how much I eat, exactly what I'm eating and when I eat! I decided to let the weightwatchers membershp go a couple of weeks ago, becasue they changed their system and it really wasn't working for me. Also, I think because I've been subscribing to WW for so long now I got bored and stopped paying attention to it enough. I think if I re-think my food each day I should be able to manage to lose weight without feeling hungry and grumpy. This next week I aim to eat more protein, a lot less rice and pasta, and not touch the bikkie barrel at work.
The whole size issue does get to me every now and then, I actually get quite depressed about it even though I know what I need to do to fix the problem:
I know I've lost 15kg in the past and kept it off for almost 2 years, but then I went and put it all back on again in the space of 6 months! It really does upset me when I look in the mirror and see fat face, or bulgy bits that just look repulsive.
I know I'm working to lose it again and also changing my lifestyle so that it's more active. I know it is having a positive impact on how strong I am. I know that eventually I will see results and change my shape.
I know that my being a size 12-14 is not obese, even though according to BMI calculations I am obese. I also know from experience that for me 8kg does not equal a dress size. 15kg is a dress size in my case. So I have a lot of hardwork ahead of me. Can I do it? YES I CAN!
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