Settling In

So, I've completed the first three days of school. They were in-service or, as they are called here, inset days, meaning teachers are working, but there are no students.

As some of you already know, I found myself locked in to the school on my first day, Wednesday. Y. had told me that the school gets locked up at 6 pm, but that there was a bell 5-10 minutes before that to let teachers know it was time to go home. No bell on Wednesday, and so I found myself wandering around at ten past, trying to find a gate that wasn’t locked. Finally the caretaker freed me.




Thursday and yesterday, although I left before 6 each day, found me locked in again. I finally figured out that they aren’t expecting anyone to leave on foot after 4 or 4:30. There is a car gate, but it appears those who drive to school have a clicker in their cars to open the gate. I’ll have to figure out what to do, since I fully expect to be at school until 5:30 or so most days.



But why you ask?



I’m teaching year 7, year 8, year 9 and year 10 in English, and year 10 again in media studies. I also share a form in the morning (like homeroom), which I will do on my own once my partner goes on maternity leave. I have a total of eight separate classes (not counting the form group), and three periods during the week for prep and planning. Just getting ready for the next day takes some time, although once I get the hang of it, I’m sure I’ll get into a groove.



Before you totally freak out, I don’t teach those eight classes every day. Nope, most classes are three times a week, and media is only once a week. I will start every day with my form group and then teach four to five hour-long classes each day. It’s still a huge change though, and a good one. I’m going to be challenged by this, and have to stay on my toes to remember everything I need to do. It will certainly never be boring!



One of the things I’ve noticed since arriving is how so many people have flowers outside their houses. Whether they have just one hanging pot, or quite a front garden, most homes seem to sport colorful flowers. I keep thinking I need to take pictures, but then I don’t want people to think I’m a weirdo, taking a photo of their front steps.



I decided to get into the game, and bought a mixed flat of “hanging basket plants.” Purple and yellow pansies, some ivy, and other flowers whose names I don’t know.

The basket below hangs above my front door.  I'm hoping that some of the flowers and the ivy will make it over the edge; right now it's hard to see it all.

This window box is just behind the conservatory (laundry room).  On the right is what I think is a volunteer sunflower; I'm not quite sure just what it is, but when I was weeding it out before the new plants, I didn't have the heart to pull it out.  In addition, if you look closely, there are bulbs I came across when planting the flowers. Those will go back into the soil and hopefully next spring something lovely will come up.

I
I still have more to plant, but I have to get myself back to the store and then schlep the potting soil back to the house.  Most of the time I don't mind not having a car, but when I have heavy things, or multiple things, I feel kind of limited.  I must have looked rather silly with those flowers.  I had to ride the bus with them, and then walk back holding them in front of me as if I was making an offering to the gods.  It's worth it though, just to have a bit of color.

Alrighty then.  I've got a load of laundry washed and on the line (yep, crunchy socks and all), and it's time to go do something fun.  Anyone up for  a ride into London?