Autumn Term - Part One

I have made it to half term! This only going 8 weeks before a break is a brilliant idea and NZ should definitely consider it. Even though it has been a shorter time than I am used to, I am still totally shattered and looking forward to a week without school. Obviously I have plenty of work to do (book marking, planning, seating plan rearranging etc) but being able to do it in my own time is something I'm looking forward to.

Overall things at school are definitely improving and I feel like some classes are actually going really well. My relationship with my year 10 class has got so much better and they have started to buy into the vision I have for the class. We had two weeks with no one in detention for failing their vocabulary test and the class has generally been positive about the work we have been doing. I enjoy my junior classes most of the time though the year 7s ask a terrible amount of blindingly obvious questions. The other day I had, "Miss, I've got to the bottom of my page. What should I do?" Genuinely had not thought that turning the page over and continuing on the other side was an option. This kind of helplessness is testing my patience but they are a sweet group of students who join in and seem to want to learn.

My year 11s continue to give me a lot of grief and I have certainly shed a fair amount of tears after classes. I find the disrespect difficult to not take personally but I feel that I am slowly adjusting my expectations of the language they should produce and therefore am not asking them to do work outside their capabilities quite so much. This has improved behaviour and their engagement in lessons but it is an on-going struggle. The school has been steadfast in their support and I have been much encouraged by my wonderful department. I am hoping that the next half term will be a little easier as I have more of an idea about how things work and students are more used to my expectations and way of  doing things. Fingers crossed!

We have had a very wet autumn so far which has been a little sad but the sun came out today and I managed to get out for a short walk to see the pretty colours. My feet continue to be a source of trial and my RA has been rather bad lately, so prayers around my health would be much appreciated. I am loving my flat as we spend more time together and this place begins to feel a little more like home. Mel and I have been enjoying the Great British Bake Off (final this week - eek!) and we have spent time riling against the ending of Sanditon (Jane Austen fans should still definitely watch when it makes it way to NZ eventually). Ed and I are still going strong and I'm enjoying having this really positive relationship in my life. Home sickness has started to creep in a little over the last couple of weeks but I am looking forward to a British lead up to Christmas!