In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

Today concludes my first week of teaching in London. I started the week in Leyton, which is North East London, at a school called Something Community School. I was up at 6am and was out the door by 6:55 to start my first journey to work via London public transport. I can't really say that I was nervous, because I wasn't. I didn't really know what to expect but my mind was certainly open. I didn't know much about the school but what I did know was that it was a community school,but had completed some research on the area itself. It was an area of low socio-economic status.
 

A community school usually means a low socio-economic area with students of mixed abilities, mostly towards the lower end of the spectrum. I was prepared for the diverse nature of the classroom but was a little overwhelmed in my first class. There were at least three students who had very little to no English speaking abilities at all. Luckily enough I had a very supportive teacher's aid who was great support. However it was her first day too..
 

The day went ok, I was suprised to see how little supply teachers are spoken to by the main staff. It had me wondering if it was the same like this at home? And if it is, I will definitely change the ways that I interact with supply staff.. It was quite a boring day. I tried to initiate conversation with very little response. And I did the thing I didn't want to do... Pulled my phone out of my pocket :/ Didn't want to, but I was bored... Whoopsies... The company signed me up for the week. Was relieved to have a full week of work, apparently week one of term can be light on.



Walking back to the tube stop I decided that I needed a better pair of shoes, so much walking. Don't get me wrong, I love the incidental exercise but my feet are used to the orthotic comfort of my Asics Gel Kayanos.. Not crappy ballet flats. While thinking about this my phone rang. It was a representitive from SANZA/TRADEWIND teaching agency (The one that had organised my week of work). They rang me with the proposition of the rest of the week of work at a "better" school, on quite a bit more money, with the potential of a longer-term block.I was prepared to give it a go.


The next day I boarded the tube and went an hour and 20 minutes in the other direction to the South West to a place called East Housnlow. I got off the tube and on to a bus and headed to the Healthland School- A School for Maths and Science... I'd fit right in :/ The thing that caught my eye as I walked through the school gates was a red-headed lad, the first one I'd seen for a while. This put a little extra spring in my step and a smile on my face. Then I realised how big the actually school was... The number of students in my entire school back in Aus were milling in the open space near reception... This school has a lot of kids... I learnt later that there are about 1800 students in total and 200 staff.. (WOW)... Different.


This school's formal, the men wear suits and ties and the ladies wear heels and blazers (yuck) I might come back a lady yet... Don't count on it though... The PE department here made me smile. They are just like ours back home. Sit at the table, eating all the food insight, telling funny jokes and bringing some familiarity to the situation. This school reminds me a lot of Highview


There are some massive differences too... They have four different coloured stairwells, yellow and mauve (?) for up and green and red for down, I think.. It's still early days.This works very well, and I guess in a school this size is somewhat of a requirement. Every day I am getting better at pronouncing the names, some are quite tricky.


This role was just a cover for a maternity leave position, so all week I've had the luxury of free periods and no duties (Woo Hoo) Friday for example taught one class and had one extra Geography cover. Alana, you'd be very proud of me, not only am I wearing frills but also taught students about rainforests! My class was observed by the English head of department, always daunting. The lesson went well and the feedback I received was good. I also had the opportunity to see how some more experienced teachers in the school did things, this was a great learning experience.

 
Even as I write this I am still not convinced I want to commit myself for long-term, but it's only until the end of their school year, which is July. The money really is too good to say no to. If I do get offered a position, and if I do decide to accept it, my provision would be that I need the week of the Ashes off.. How Australian is that? I'm presently putting off heading out to the bus stop, it looks like t weather has turned even colder... With a wintery chill from the Atlantic expected over the weekend, I have no doubt that I'll see snow in the coming days.

  
My living arrangements are coming along nicely. I currently have a bed in a share house with the awesome Ryan, Chloe, Tim and Simon. They have taken me under their wings and made me feel at home while i search for a more permanent place to live. I have found a nice little room, and I emphasise little in Hammersmith. At this stage I move in next weekend. Something I am very excited about. It's a 2 minute walk from the tube and the local concert venue, Hammersmith Apollo. When I move I'll also try and find a gym close to home. This weekend I hope to do a walkabout tour and expand my winter wardrobe.. I'm not used to dressing nicely, it is a change and my feet hurt and it's uncomfortable but change is good.

I was the complete nerd on the tube on Wednesday. Was wearing a skirt with my runners reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on my Kindle, Ipod in listening to Aussie music! But you know what? I don't even care!

Voted for my Triple J Hottest 100 this week!!! How exciting!

Catch you later skaters

love your guts