Update

An up and down sort of week. Behaviour still appalling from some students in Year 9, for example, on Tuesday and Wednesday - but interestingly, not from the "usual suspects". It may be that the phone calls I had made earlier impacted on the behaviour later in the week - I hope it works for this week's causes for concern, since I made four calls on Friday.

I have been trying to send lots of letters home about homework, something which is a real cause for concern among some classes. Sometimes it seems to help, sometimes it just causes consternation and argument from the pupils. However, the high point of the week came midway through Friday lunch. I looked out of the window and saw a couple of students whose homework had not been handed in, and who were therefore due letters home. I called over to them and said that if they wanted to avoid that letter, they could come in and finish their homework then. So they made the best decision, came by, and I helped them with their homework. Then they asked if they could come every week for help with homework, and extra teaching because they want to do well! I don't know if they will come or not, but at least that desire to do well makes me happy!

It's been a busy week outside school as well, with doctor and dentist appointments, and a visit to see Doris Lessing at the Southbank Centre. That was enjoyable - especially with Doris' reactions to the questions that she was asked! She sounded a bit grumpy, but in a positive sort of way, biting off the questioners' heads as if she thought they were the most foolish questions she had ever been asked - I would have been scared to have asked her a question! But perhaps that's because some of the people asking questions were sort of showing off their own knowledge, so she was cutting them down to size!

On Monday we went out for dinner with an old lecturer of H's. Another nice meal at Galipoli. Then another Wagamama lunch yesterday followed by a trip to Camden Market and a nice relaxing evening. Hopefully we'll get to see Sweeny Todd next week...