Where have I been?

Well, I haven't posted for a while ... You'd have thought with it being half term, that I would have been posting lots of exciting updates!

However, the deadline for my dissertation is approaching very quickly, so although I'm at my computer morning, noon and night, I've been offline, analysing data and trying to work out different methodologies. Tough stuff!

I've also written an essay for my other course that I was on a few weeks ago, and today I learnt that I have passed! I'm very happy to have it out the way!

It's getting late, so I'm off now!

Almost didn't update!

It's been a busy, eventful and generally positive week - and a busy weekend - again! - hence the late entry.

Monday was fun - we had the TV cameras in, and the Year 7s were excellent. Very well behaved. I've managed to make some nice certificates for them which should be handed out in assembly this week. I took off the two lessons before filming, which was just as well since some of the websites I wanted to use weren't working, and we had to get them up and running first!

Our next big day was Wednesday, a special day for our House. We had a visitor to the school, a man whose son was killed a couple of years ago. He spoke very movingly - you could have heard a pin drop. Shame the students weren't so attentive during Mass in the morning!

The next major event was after school on Thursday. I had to give a presentation of my findings of my research. Just need to get it written up as my dissertation now! It was a fun evening though, especially on the way home in the bus with some other teachers, where we discussed how we could use new technologies to move the school forward.

I've spent the weekend marking the Year 7 and Year 8 assessments. The Year 9s will finish theirs tomorrow, then the Year 10s and 11s later in the week. And then it's half term! (And writing up the dissertation ...)

Disappointment at Formula 1

Well, I'm feeling really quite sad at the moment, since we've just watched Lewis Hamilton go off the pit lane and have to retire from the Chinese Grand Prix. So there's just Brazil in two week time. I hope Hamilton manages it ...

Highlights of the week? Well, my Year 7s gave their presentations, and some of the students in the lower group did particularly well. They had to speak about their community, and there were some very clear and confident speakers. It's a shame that in between times, so many of them are rude to each other, shouting out, pulling faces, drumming, getting out of their seats ...

My other Year 7s were practicing using the computers. I got them all logged on - and the website was blocked! Great. Such are the pitfalls of using the ICT suite!

It's been quite busy, but mostly okay. The Year 11s were much better than last week, and the Year 10s had a couple of good lessons, mainly because some of the more disruptive students were not there.

We had a parents' evening as well, which was interesting ... it was an explanation of what parents should expect with the SATs coming up, and one parent made a big scene about the lack of communication with the school (I think she thought it was the sort of parents' evening where you meet the teachers rather than an information evening), then another parent asked her to talk to someone by herself rather than wasting everyone's time, so that was interesting.

Busy weekend trying to get ready for tomorrow and a presentation of my research on Thursday.

Back at the British Library

Spent another fun day at the British Library, researching for my dissertation. Today I eventually got through five books - I now have 40 pages of notes on my laptop! The research is about assessment, and it's been very interesting learning about the different kinds of assessment. I also got two sets of microfilm (dissertations) but I'll need to look at them another day, because I ran out of time.

I wrote a few notes while I was there that I will post up later - they are on the other computer and I can't be bothered getting the other one out just now!

Shame to miss all the good weather, but since the Lit Review is due after the holidays, I really ought to get a move on! However, I'll be at home tomorrow, so hopefully I'll see some of the beautiful sunshine that we're supposed to have!

Eclipse of the Moon

Like many other people, last night we watched the eclipse of the moon. Not continually ... unlike some lucky people, who could see the moon from the warmth of their living room out the window, we had to go outside to see the changing state of the moon, so we went out from time to time to see how it was getting on. I took a few photos ... unfortunately I forgot we had a tripod, and when I remembered, it seemed to much hassle to put it all up just before going to bed! So the photos are very blurry, and the moon, of course, was very far away ... I'm just downloading them just now, and it looks like I've taken loads of tiny pinpricks of light on a black rectangle! They are all very similar. Ah well!




It was a nice day yesterday. I got my new glasses, and had no problems exchanging my trousers. In the afternoon I went through some admin I had to do ... data, statistics, that sort of stuff ... and in the evening we read a bit.

This morning I had a nice walk to church, and we had coffee and cakes afterwards, which is always nice. H bought cream cakes yesterday which we had this afternoon - delicious! It's ages since I've had a cream cake. Today has also been productive - H has been writing and editing, and I've inputted all the data from my questionnaires onto an Excel spreadsheet, so I can begin analysing the findings. Still have some lessons to plan, though.

And we had stovies (and salmon) for lunch!

Meetings etc.

Turns out that last night I spoke to the same girl who had the phone out in class! Wasn't her sister after all! Anyway, phoned her mum today and had a good chat - she was really nice, friendly and supportive.

After school I had a meeting with a woman from the TDA, asking me why I was doing a Masters. Nice to talk about the academic side of teaching, and the research, which I enjoy. That meeting was followed by Year 9 Options Evening, so I'm just in, at 8pm.

On a brighter note - one pupil had asked if he could interview me about my religion as part of his ASDAN course. I'd said yes, so today he gave me a questionnaire that he'd written for me to fill in. I laughed at the question at the bottom of the page - "Write down everything you know about your religion." With three lines to answer it!!! Apart from the fact that I teach him RE, and therefore surely must know everything in the RE textboook that he has to learn for his exam ... !!! Still trying to figure out how to answer that without sounding too facetious! "Bob, I have a degree in Biblical Studies ... !!!"

Finally ... I can tick something off my list!

At last, a productive day.

I produced a ppt for form tutors to show their forms to introduce Lent (Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving ...).
I have proofread our Self Evaluation document. (Must pass that onto the DHT to update.)
I've finished marking my Y11 Assessments - and have put their grades, and my Y7 levels, into our database.
I've put together a basic SoW for Y9s about Jesus. (Needs to be completely finished, but since I'm working on it with someone else, and we don't actually start teaching it for another couple of weeks, I think that's acceptable.)
I have planned two lessons for my A Level classes that can be used when the inspectors are around. Hopefully.
I've done the laundry. Although I better take it out the drier and put it away!

Now, all I have to do is:
* Review and finish my research questionnaires.
* Write a SoW for Y11s that will be part of my research - Marriage and Family Life.
* Plan the final lessons for the Y10 unit, Worship and Celebration.
* Plan a few more AS/A2 lessons ... I've started SoWs for these groups, I should add more to them.
* Go through my briefcase, filing certain documents at home, and sorting out what needs to be filed at school, and what can be filed in the bin.
* Add all the SEN/EAL/G&T data to my lesson plan templates so I'm ready for Ofsted.
* Get a MAC code so I can switch servers.
* Tidy the house.

So, not much left for me to do tomorrow, is there?!

Hurray for the Holiday!

I've finally made it! I'm on holiday! I'm not quite sure that it's sunk in yet ... I was still busily beavering away in the office at 5pm last night, trying to decide what to take home and what to leave. It's all because the Call has still not come ... Frankly, I think it's rather unfair of Ofsted leaving us hanging on like this ... The short, sharp shock of inspection is supposed to make it easier, so that teachers are not planning for weeks on end for their inspection, but instead we've been on 72 hours notice of an inspection since September, and it's going to loom over our half term too. Anyway, at least it is the holiday, and although some teachers are running classes and going in over the holidays, I am not one of them. I've even been good at not bringing home all my boxes of marking this time. I've only got my Year 11 end of unit tests that I should mark today so I can update their predicted grades.

So, what are the plans for the week? Well, some are unfortunate and mundane tasks - after finishing the washing up and the laundry I need to arrange to get a new windscreen, since there are two rather large cracks in it ... a by-product of pupils throwing stones, perhaps? I can't be quite sure, but I suspect they may be the culprits. Only noticed it as I arrived home last night. I can be sure about the providence of the scar along my glasses, though ... you're not supposed to use the edge of your top in order to clean your glasses. Especially if that top has small diamontes sewn on. So that is my next chore, to book an appointment with an optician. Especially since I've not had my eyes tested for about 18 months, either. I'll probably try to book that for Monday afternoon, so I can go straight there after my dentist appointment. Another unhappy visit, I fear. The last time I saw him, my dentist told me I'd need to have my wisdom teeth taken out. They've been fine recently, it's okay, they can stay there ... So I'm not particularly looking forward to that.

The next category of things to do involves my research. I must complete my questionnaires, both for the pupils and the teachers. My tutor is having a look at them this week, to see if they look suitable. I should also try and use this opportunity to complete my Methods and Methodology Review, and it would be great if I could get started on my Literature Review, which is due in after Easter. I also need to write the Marriage and Family Life Scheme of Work, which needs to involve lots of Assessment for Learning.

This leads me onto my next category - school stuff. I am jointly responsible for the next Year 9 SoW, Jesus in the Gospels. I need to do some work on that, in conjunction (via email) with a colleague. I think I will also try to make sure that there are at least three lessons planned for Year 7 (Reconciliation) and Year 8 (The Paschal Mystery) in case the colleagues responsible have not managed to complete those for the first week back. I will also try to write a SoW for Year 10 ... Living the Christian Life. And I should plan a few lessons for my A Level classes too. So, as you can see, my main aims this week, school wise, revolve around one of my favourite parts of teaching - planning lessons. But it's been such a long time that I've had to write one that I'm worried they'll all be rubbish! I also have some admin-y things to do, too, such as checking over the SEF and making sure the handbook is up to date. So all that should keep me busy.

Finally, the most important category ... H and I having a lovely holiday, using the opportunity to visit museums and galleries, or simply wandering around the shops, or sitting at home getting some reading done. Relaxing. Resting. Enjoying life, and each other's company. I'm looking forward to it. Hope I can manage to fit in some of those other things around this most important task!

Funny kind of day

It was nice to have a longish but not too long lie this morning, and to be able to finish my book without worrying too much about getting up ... although I did have a lot planned. As usual. Anyway, we have a visitor coming, and we expected him to arrive at Heathrow early on Sunday morning, so the first priority was to tidy up. H got up bright and early and started emptying the bathroom. I went through the stuff and got rid of lots of old bottles etc ... it's interesting the sort of things that you find in your bathroom. Old bottles of shampoo, soggy plasters, single contact lenses, bits of soap from here and there, runny suntan lotion, half filled mini travel bottles of who-knows-what, blunt razor blades, spilt cotton buds, lotions and potions of indeterminate age ... Anyway, we've been through it all now I think everything left in there is useable and safe! I started sweeping the floor around the dining area, then sorted through the clothes ... anything not to be worn in the next fortnight has been folded away into a suitcase, so there will be room for our visitor to hang his clothes. The bedroom now looks a bit emptier and tidier - still a bit of work to do on it though!

My main task for the day, however, has been writing my methods and methodology review for my dissertation. I have managed to write almost 3000 words, although since I haven't had time to do any reading, most of it is based on my own ideas rather than interacting with the literature, so there's still a lot to be done. However, I'd rather hand in something that needs a lot of work on it than nothing at all ...

In amongst that, H has been to the shops, we've cooked dinner together (veal with Italian potatoes and Chinese/Malawian vegetables) and we've hads our nightly fix of Big Brother. In case you're wondering ... I phoned for Jermaine last night. Although today we thought we would be happy if Dirk wins. Shilpa is the favourite to win, at the moment, but I think Jermaine and Dirk both stand a chance.

So, that's been my day.

And our visitor? Well, we realised this afternoon that he won't arrive until very early on Monday morning, so we don't have to get up super-early to drive to Heathrow tomorrow and I still have time to get the washing done, and go to church! So it's all good.

Good morning!

Just a short note before school. I was too tired to blog yesterday. Or do much else, for that matter. My Year 7s were down in the hall again, and I suddenly had to have a departmental meeting without really being able to prepare for it. But I had just enough to cover the 45 minutes or so, and we know what needs to be done in the next meeting.

I have been invited to give a presentation with another girl who is doing her Masters. I have a meeting today about my research, and have a detention with the Year 7s after school. I'm giving an additional lesson to my AS group who have their exam tomorrow.

Another busy day!

Sleep, sweet sleep, wherefore art thou?

I am exhausted ... have been ever since I woke up. Must get to bed early tonight ...

My AS pupils have difficulties arriving at school. One arrived, about ten minutes late. Another arrived about ten minutes later - he was supposed to be elsewhere, but we suggested that since his exam is next week, he would do well to ask for permission to leave his last class and come to my one. He disappeared, and re-appeared about five minutes before the end of the lesson. A couple of minutes before another girl arrived. And a few minutes before the final two attendees decided to attend, after the bell arrived. Did I mention they have an exam next week?

My Year 10s sat their end of unit assessment. Not as much cheating this time, although after a few illicit conversation and some strained eyes, I decided it was easier to just to read out the key word from the poster on the wall, rather than put up with their devices to get to the front of the class ... oh dear, I've just dropped my pen and it slid along the floor to the front of the room just disturbs everyone else. At least they might see the point of my wall displays now.

The Year 7s? Lots of shouting, some tantrums, stamping of feet ... and they were pretty bad too. Eventually had a few of them back for detention. Didn't manage to play the game that was part of the lesson plan. Shame. I'd been quite looking forward to it. Wonder if they'll be able to manage lesson 3 in the scheme of work? As for their homework, quite a few came up to me to say they hadn't understood the homework. List some communities you can think of eg church, school, guides. Choose one and describe it. Even if they didn't know what a community was, I can hardly believe that noone in the home knew either,and there were no dictionaries, internet search engines, or mobiles to "phone a friend" around.

Only one A level student. Since he's from Uganda, my favourite part of the lesson was where we discussed the forthcoming film, "The Last King of Scotland". But we looked at Natural Law too.

I also managed to squeeze a couple of meetings, some form filling, a lot of filing, some other admin and a couple of short conversations into the day. Then I went off to uni for my dissertation seminar. We were thinking about the Literature Review. Well, they were. I was thinking about sleep. No wonder I got lost on my way home.

I have a meeting with the other ex-HoD tomorrow. Looking forward to it, but exhausted. Still have to do those final Year 11 reports, plan tomorrow's lessons, go to a conference on Saturday, go to an opening on Friday, and see TLKOS sometimes during the weekend.

Sleep, sweet, sweet sleep ...

Back to School!

I enjoy Monday mornings when I don't have a cover ... up until about form time! Seriously, it was nice to see my form again - they are very lively and generally seem to be happy pupils - but I do wish they had a bit less energy. And a bit more respect. Ah well. I'll keep at it!

My Year 11 class all arrived very promptly and smartly, and it was a shame, really, that we then had to go to an assembly and spend the rest of the lesson there. Hope the lesson on Friday goes well instead!

In the afternoon, my Year 7s had moments of stillness and listening! Must cultivate those ... We were focusing on thinking about how we can improve our levels this term. I think most have made comments about adding more detail to their answers ... a shame, I was hoping they were all going to plan to listen more and talk less, but that doesn't appeared to have figured much. At least hopefully now should know what their target level is and what level they are currently working at. In preparation for the Ofsted visit.

My Year 10s? Well, anyone walking in would no doubt have been surprised to learn that the pupils have an assessment next lesson. They didn't sound as if they knew much, nor as if they were learning much. Oh dear. We managed to go over ten key words. Some of the pupils knew some of the words ... but some were more interested in screeching at each other.

All in all, it was quite a quiet day. I also managed to sort out a bit of admin, and planned a few lessons with our NQTs. She's really very perceptive at times, of what will work and what won't with her class. We managed to hone down the lessons to the basic tasks. We also met up with the Head of Sixth Form to plan the unit of work for the compulsory General RE lessons.

The day finished with a long middle management meeting. Some bits are worthy but dull; some bits are quite inspirational. I'm planning on auditing our homework in the department, and asking for examples of good homework so we can build up an exemplar "good homework" file. I've also planned an artwork for the Chapel with the Head of Art. Exciting!

Another good piece of news was that I realised that my Year 11 reports are due in next Monday, not Friday as feared. Great, all week and the weekend to finish the second set! However, I also realised in the morning that I have to go to a course on Saturday ... and then the Head of Sixth Form, who is also writing her dissertation, reminded me that we have a uni meeting on Wednesday after school! So it looks like a busy week (probably fortnight, maybe month, possibly term) once again!

Getting there ...

Slowly but surely.

Is that how I began my last blog too?

It's another late night ... but at least the Year 7 assessments have been marked, and the levels have been added to the database. A bit disappointing, really. However, it's the first time we have used that assessment, and I think the pupils thought that the questions needed short answers rather than more developed answers. I'm not sure whether to change the assessment next time, or simply give more sentence starters/guidance etc.

I have also planned a couple of lessons to start the week.

So ... I still have to:

* Write about 50 Year 11 reports.
* Plan a questionnaire for my Year 11s as part of my research.
* Read up on, and write, my Methods and Methodology Review.
* Get in touch with the other ex-HoD who is helping me out by writing another Scheme of Work ...
* Plan lessons for next week, including a SoW for Year 10 and Year 11.

I'm sure I could go on ...

I also helped H with his tax return today (still a bit to do, but we're getting there, and it seemed to be easier than I thought it would be ... next year could be a bit more complicated though!).

Also finished the Butternut Squash soup which I made yesterday. Delicious! In fact, I think it deserves a blog entry of its own.

Back home

We travelled back yesterday, in the rain and wind, and made it back by around 10pm. The flat is very cold ... the heating is on but that cold chill of an empty house cruches in the air. I think our neighbours have been away for Christmas too, so we have been without their heat as well!

I've had a rest, finished reading "Cry, The Beloved Country" (great book), and now am up to finish unpacking and tidying. Fortunately we went shopping yesterday, so there is some food in the house. And lots of biscuits and chocolate, of course! Once the unpacking is finished, I have the second set of exam scripts to mark, the reports to write, and then I will need to work out my priorities from writing Schemes of Work, planning questionnaires for my research, reading up for and writing my Methods and Methodology review and numerous other things that need to be done over the next four days. So I may not blog that much between now and then!

Happy Hogmanay!

I hope everyone reading this has a good evening and a very happy new year!

I still have lots to do:

1. Mark 45 exam scripts.
2. Write 47 reports.
3. Plan a lot of lessons / schemes of work.
4. Mark Year 7 assessments.
5. Write a Methods and Methodology report.

That's just the most urgent things ... I haven't progressed much this holiday so far! But tomorrow is the beginning of a new year, so hopefully I can get some of these things done!

New Year's Resolutions tomorrow, I think ... !

Funding!

Have learnt today that my application for a bursary has been accepted! So my uni fees will be paid, and I'll now need to organise a markers' course for my year 11s. It's quite exciting, but also a bit of a wake up call - it will be expected that my research will have academic results, so I have more pressure on that class to do well now. Their target grades at the moment are lower than they should be capable of achieving, according to their SATs results; I hope that most will get Cs, although it will be more than a surprise if they do, it'll be a minor miracle. Still, miracles do happen.

A few of the members of that class are owe me an apology following their behaviour in the last lesson. I saw one boy yesterday, and he told me that no-one is going to apologise. It'll be a nice quiet lesson then. I've arranged for the on-call teacher to come and have a conversation with me while the pupils arrive, so that if any do refuse to apologise, she'll be able to take them away immediately. But also, it might encourage them to apologise. We'll see ... anyway, hope we can get back on track so my research runs smoothly this year!

Going to Uni

I'm just posting a quick blog before I leave for church.

I had been asked to give a short presentation about my research last year to a group of Masters students - it seemed that they would be first years, about to embark on their first piece of research. However, when I got there, some of them were doing their dissertation, like me, and most seemed to have already completed some research! Never mind, I did my presentation anyway, and the rest of the day was about research and writing reports and it was very useful.

Leaving the building, I passed a large and lovely autumnal tree.

In the evening, we visted friends that I've not seen in years (H sometimes meets up with them during the day). Hopefully the visit will be reciprocated for H's birthday. It was a nice evening out, although we were a bit late home and I'm now quite tired!