Term 4 is here. One week down, 9 to go.
I have just finished my first week of Term 4, and the one statement that I could write that would sum it up is that if all my weeks at Narara Valley High School had been like this week I probably would be doing everything I could to immigrate to Australia. It was hands-down the best week this year. It wasn't that the kids were especially good, in fact I even had my first EVER (like in 12 years of teaching) fight in class (Year 10, 3 boys that all got suspended). But despite that, everything just felt so good. I think there are a couple things coming into play. The first is that the kids have accepted me. Even the principal told me that the first two terms in any Aussie school, but especially this one, can be hard as the kids are putting you through their 'test.' The next is that I'm officially fed up with ding-bat rude kid behavior, have fully embraced the idea that it isn't personal, and have really cracked down on it. Instead of keeping kids for detention where they just sit passively for 10 minutes, I now have them do "school service" where they have to pick up "papers" (garbage) during lunch. Name on the board = 10 papers. Each check = additional 10 papers. I love it because not only do the kids hate it, and therefore seem to be responding with better behavior, but when they do pick up garbage it helps change one thing that I have never really enjoyed about being here - all the litter. I also have discovered a key to having seating charts with a class that meets in 9 different classrooms. Instead of a seating chart for each classroom, I've told certain kids (6 specific boys in my Year 8 class) that they can't sit by each other. No matter what room they walk into, they can't sit near one another. It's awesome!! I've seen such a change so far in their behavior. I hope it continues to work over the course of the next 9 weeks. Something else to point out about this Term so far is that I'm feeling so much more confident in taking 'risks' the way I did at school in Alaska. What I mean by this is the idea of 'putting yourself out there', or 'trying new things.' I approached Michael, the principal, about doing a presentation to the staff (75 people) about Alaska and our school system. He thought that was a great idea and so will have me present during one of our Wednesday after school meetings. I'm also organizing a Skype or videoconference session between my Year 8s and Year 7s and my exchange teacher in Seward's 7th and 8th graders. I'm also hoping to get three of my Year 8 students to Skype with Seward's 6th grade class. The final thing I wanted to mention is that I've been tasked with writing the open response section of the Year 7 Yearly Exam. Whew! It is actually kind-of fun, but definitely time consuming. I hope to have it finished up this afternoon and ready to go to print tomorrow morning. Outside of school: We've all been enjoying the summer weather, though it is REALLY strange to see people start to put up Christmas decorations with hot weather, tropical birds, and palm trees all around! It was in the 90s this week and I'm just dripping buckets after my runs in the afternoon. The kids have been enjoying swimming at our friend's pool across the street. This weekend, we went horse back riding (thanks Grace for getting that for us.) I've never been before and always wanted to. My horse was named Dakota, Alta's was Mouse, and Olin's was Halo. That's all for now!
2 Comments
Karen Louis
10/15/2017 08:54:16
I love hearing about your school and kids there. It sounds like a great year that has stretched all of you! Bravo!
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AuthorThe Liljemark's enjoy exploring the world. This blog chronicles our adventures. Archives
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