Ali's weblog

28/11/04

10:21:06 pm teaching, family and politics  

Categories: appropos, 201 words

Oh well, better keep up the female side of this blogging thing. Life has been too hectic in the past 3 months - work dominates - challenging and rewarding go side by side in teaching, it's good if the rewarding is winning.... but it's unfortunately not always the case! Still family life has been good and the gizzer is looking a little more relaxed after a GCSE coursework crisis a couple of weeks ago.. Still reeling from some of the new laws which are apparently being rushed into place. We're all aware of the possibility of terrorist attacks, but some of these laws are Draconian - and it is outrageous for a democratic (so called) country to be imprisoning people without trial. We are appalled about Guantanamo Bay - but we appear to be doing the same thing here.. Am getting so hot under the collar about it all, that I might have to do as my mother's generation did and write to The Times - as "Outraged of Guildford" - perhaps no-one remembers these letters now - I remember wondering what sort of person would write to the newspapers under just such a pseudonym - now I know and I may have turned into one of them.. Oh dear

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30/09/04

10:42:49 am when your body lets you down  

Categories: appropos, 203 words

Hmm. There are many excellent and varied reasons for growing older and more experienced and I generally have no issues with age, embracing everything new (although am still awaiting the wisdom that is said to come with age) But now and again your body just lets you down. Am currently off work for at least 2 weeks. Dr. says high blood pressure and stress (the bane of teachers everywhere) and if it doesn't come down - it's medication time. This is not a new threat (promise??) from the dr. but I have been (successfully) putting off the inevitable for 3 years. Until now. But, does your job define who you are? Not really in my case - but I have to say that I am really no good at all at this relaxing and doing nothing thing. Am so used to rushing through life overachieving (says husband) and doing too much that I'm not only feeling feeble (for being off work) but seriously bored. The upside is being able to go swimming (encouraged by dr.), catching up on reading and doing some sewing - perhaps we will all have all the buttons on shirts and trousers instead of the odd gaping hole... And maybe I'll do more blogging....

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25/09/04

07:02:27 pm Looking for a 6th form college  

Categories: appropos, 225 words

Languising on the sofa suffering from what is presumably a nasty cold caught from some child at school, suddenly realize (with shock) that it's time to start looking for a college for the Gizzer who's taking GCSEs this year. There is one just up the road (a good one) which currently seems to be favourite (Gizzer likes the idea of falling out of bed and into college and coming home to raid the fridge for lunch) - I think we might have to padlock it and hide the combination... However, am trying to convince him that there might be better reasons for choosing a college. It does seem absurdly early to start the round of open evenings and prospectus applications, but apparently not. Have to say it all seemed a lot easier in my day (OK it was a VERY long time ago), you just stayed on at school and then went onto Uni from there. This is an option for Gizzer too, but they don't do a Law A level which is currently a choice. School are even encouraging students to consider what they want to do at Uni. Do you specialize already or go for a wider range of subjects? I can only think "do some courses which will be useful for a Uni place and one course for pleasure", but that's just me!

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11/09/04

10:50:41 pm Last Night of the Proms  

Categories: appropos, 133 words

Just caught it - having not been following what was on the TV! Can't believe it's the first time in 20 years we've seen it (and a first for Tor). Husband - as a non-Brit - not sure what to make of it all - but it remains not anarchically nationaltic, but patriotic and good fun. Fantastic to see how many people had turned out in Hyde Park, Manchester, Glasgow and Belfast. Couldn't help notice a small group of Japanese in the "pit" looking somewhat bemused, although one of their party knew what was going on! In the middle of so much depressing news and happenings all over the world - anniversary of 9/11, hurricanes, war, terrorism in Russia and general brutality and tragedy - a really good celebration of life and joy. I wish there were more of these moments.

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08:25:50 am Back to school  

Categories: appropos, 212 words

OK, so blogging will be more difficult in term time! It already seems as if the summer holidays were a mirage and we're kneedeep in preparation, marking and admin again! GCSE results were good which is pleasing. The tutor group have (unwillingly) returned to the fold and we start the many reminders about behaviour, attitude and uniform - all forgotten in the holidays. Time to remind one particular pupil that the correct way to address his form tutor is not "bloody hell woman" and another that yes, he does actually have to follow instructions ("well I like the word NO so I use it as often as I can") - WRONG! It's my second year here and I had just about got to know staff and routines, now there's lots of new staff as well as new kids and the routines are changing again - an improvement for sure, but more to remember! The upside? Yes, there is one. The kids who seem genuinely pleased to see you again, the pleasure of knowing that some of the kids who really struggled last year DID get those elusive GCSEs or ELCs (entry level certificates) and remembering just why you teach - a sunny classroom, a group of kids and lively debate. Will it last? I hope so.

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