Change all around...

Man, everywhere I look I see change.

Robotic change in Transformers:

It opened in USA and New Zealand, and everyone and every review I have read yet has praised it beyond every other movie... BUT it does not open here until July 27st. Ugh, I have to wait 17 more days...

Work change in teaching:

School ends in 10 days. 10 more days (actually only 8 WORK days) of hour-long commutes. 10 more days of whining, bickering, tattle-tailing kids. 10 more days of ungrateful, uncaring parents. But that also means only 8 days of pay...

Creating change in film making:

The untitled sequel to Tony's Empire has begun filming. So far, we have filmed the Funeral, the MP Speech, the Secret Meeting, and the MP/Assistant Chat scenes. I am pleased by the footage so far! Momentum has been engaged, but needs to continue. The film is more ambitious than the last (car chases, fighting in a lake, police shootout, bordello raid...), but with the experience gained shooting Tony's Empire, we can do it!

Musical change in karaoke birthday party:

On July 20th, Lewis is having a karaoke party at O'neills. The twist is that you have to come as a famous musician and sing a song by the artist! I will be going as Bono. Black jeans, shirt and jacket, sunglasses, earrings, and wig! Cher and Gwen Stefani will also be in attendance...

Geographical change in location:

I finally bought my flight back home to Vancouver. I will be leaving from London on September 10th, after a three-week trip with Greg around Portugal, Spain and London. But I will not be flying to Vancouver directly, I will be stopping over for five days in New York City! After sightseeing and living in the AMNH for the week, I will arrive back in Vancouver on the 15th, ending my 2006-2007 England Adventure...

Change all around...

Disco for 6-10 year olds

Today after school, a disco was held for the students! So, when the last bell rang, all the children filed into the hall set up with disco lights, dj table on stage, food tables at the back, and pumping music from the speakers. Kids are dancing, kids are eating, kids are singing, kids are spending (apparently an event like this disco will bring in over 200 pounds!)

The songs ranged from the nostalgic ("Can't touch this") to the inappropriate ("my Humps"). "I predict a riot" by Kaiser Chiefs and "Monster" by the Automatic ("What's that coming over the hill? Is it a monster? Is it a monster?") were real crowd pleasers! And what was the addictive substance the kids were ingesting? Well sugar of coarse! The kids were high as kites!

And what of Mr. Bond? Did he participate? But of coarse, for a bit. Can't let them think you are having too much fun as a teacher! What a great moral boost for the kids and for the school spirit!

Second week at Timberley

Just finished my second week in the new teaching position and things seem to be settling in fine. The problem classes of last week are starting to get used to me and I'm learning what works with each class.

Don't get me wrong, there are some children who are horrors. The entire year 4 class used to be one, but was split into two as there are so many children with behavior problems! One child. Thomas, is on a behavior diary, where he is assessed a 1-5 on every lesson, and that gets sent home to parents. His behavior is that he hates writing, so anything to do with sitting and writing, he flips out and refuses to work, throwing things and sulking on the wall. He has been "excluded" (which means separated from the class - mostly sitting in the office all day) many times, though I haven't seen a flip-out yet.

The same class also produced Tavian, a hyperactive, partially-blind partially-deaf attention-deficit-disorder kid, who last week drove me crazy, but this week I was ready for him. The girls in this class are also terrible - mostly from a tattle-tale point of view. They keep telling each other off!

"Mr. Boooooond! Jane broke my pencil!"
"Mr. Boooooond! Chelsea stuck her tounge at me!"
"Mr. Boooooond! Sarah looked at me!"

What?! Oh NO! She looked at you?:!! Oh what shall I do!? Pluck her eyes out??! I'll get the ravens!!!

Oh man. Immaturity can suck. But look who's talking! Hehehe.

On a less school and more social note, my flat is having a house party tonight and you are all invited!!! Should be a blast and I'll be taking photos, so I'll let you know about it later. Party on!

First week at Timberley

A few posts back, I mentioned I had got a new job - a PPA (teacher prep time) coverage position at Timberley Primary School. My job would be to take over a teacher's classroom for half the day while they do their preparation, planning, and marking elsewhere. Having had my own class in September, I understand how precious this time-out-of-class is.

Before lunch, the lessons I teach include Numeracy (Maths) and Literacy. After lunch it seems to be Geography and Religious Education! Yup, good old RE! (One lesson had the children draw pictures of what Jesus looked like! Apparently sometimes he needed swords and clubs in his ministry!)

I am finding that the teachers tend to give me the lesson plan on the day, so that I can quickly read it and teach it....kinda a skill. Unfortunately, my dream of "no prep/no marking" was quickly crushed, as I now have to mark the lessons I teach (which kinda makes sense...)

The coolest thing about Timberley is that last Thursday they held a disco for the kids! Pumping loud music, sweets and hot dogs and pizza, and everyone dancing their heart out - all the children got to dress up in their dance/posh clothes and have a good time. Who says school is all about reading, writing, and arithmetic?! Its also about rhythm, rocking, and rolling!!!

Day in the Life of a Brummie

Well today's been an interesting day in the life of Me: Birmingham Resident.
It all began with a flame...

The flame I mean is the one inside the boiler tank of my flat. It went out yesterday, leaving the six roommates without hot water or, more importantly, heat. Heat isn't usually a problem, but on this night of nights, the temperature outside had dropped to a chilly -4 C and the house was-a-cold!

After a chilly start to the day (boy did I want to stay in my warm cozy bed), I took the hour-long bus ride to Timberley School to find I would be teaching reception this morning. For those not English, reception = kindergarten! What a blast! It was Cameron's 5th birthday, so we all sang and hugged. Then we read Jack and the Beanstalk and put the story in order! Then it was Numeracy (or maths or math for the non-English) and we spent the entire lesson cutting out shapes with scissors! And without cutting or stabbing anyone!
The afternoon was in the dreaded year 4 class that I don't like...but I won't talk about it as it frustrates me.

After a good day at work, I enjoy a good commute home. Unfortunately, someone HAD to call in a bomb scare in the conference center and the police HAD to evacuate and seal off the downtown core of Birmingham, making my bus detour around the entire city. This added 30 minutes to my commute...not so bad considering if it was a real bomb!

This leads me up to now, where any second the skies will open and we shall receive our first big snowfall! We have a heavy snow warning out there and it is set to fall all night and into the morning commute, paralyzing Brummies (who act very much like Vancouverites do when they get a little snow!) Should be a fun morning tomorrow...

...I'm kinda hopping school will be closed and I can play in the snow. Ah snow. And who says my life here in Brum isn't exciting!

New Job?

It always feels nice to be offered a job, doesn't it? Especially if you've just left one that sucked. Hurray! This is me today!

I had a 'trial day' today at a large primary school called Timberley, doing PPA coverage (basically I cover one lesson in different teacher's class throughout the day, while the teachers have their preparation time.) I have been doing the same job for the past two weeks at Nonsuch Primary school and have really enjoyed it - no preparation, no marking, and experience with different year groups and classroom teaching styles.

My experience today went quite well, with Timberlake being much stricter and having a better Head Mistress than Jervoice, my first school! The position I was offered today was to do PPA coverage for Monday to Thursday beginning Feb. 19 until Easter Break.

And so, I took the job!

I am doing fine

Well, it's been a week since I've left Jervoice Primary School, and I feel much better. I thank everyone so much who have emailed me and left comments here. This week I've been working at a smaller school (close to Jervoice) - a school with the strangest name: there is nonsuch a school as Nonsuch Primary School! Yeah, a strange name, but a happier school.

I feel the same good buzz I felt last year while substituting in North Vancouver. I had forgot how much I enjoyed TOC-ing! I am booked at Nonsuch for the next week as well, so they must like me too.

Tomorrow night, I am going for drinks with some of the Jervoice teachers - the good ones. It should be very interesting to hear the gossip of what's been happening this week. Leaks of information hint that the parent and kids were unhappy of my "leaving," that another teacher (assistant Head, no less!) has taken a job elsewhere, and that moral is so low that many teachers may not be there after Easter!

And with Ofsted (government school auditing body) to visit any day now, the school looks in bad shape. Depending how the Ofsted assessment goes, the school could potentially close - worst case scenario...

Anyway, with my newfound flexible job, I am planning to do more traveling - Greece at Easter, Ireland for St. Patrick's Day, and Spain in August...

IN OTHER NEWS...

SMP's pantomime Robin Hood and the Singing Nun is in Hell Week now, and opens next week! Break a leg, Guys! Please go and see them - it will be a fantastic show!


This is my t-shirt logo design in stitches! Looks funny/cool!

Changes

My life this last week has been a trying one with many changes. Since returning to my year 4 class after two weeks off, I have been very stressed and unhappy.

This last week has seen the return of another problem student to my class, Joseph. His return sparked most of my other students into misbehaving, resulting in chaotic lessons, fighting children, and a stressed teacher. You would think that a school would support a teacher who's class was difficult, but instead the Head (Principal) reduced my Teaching Assistant's time in class. She took away my support!

During this time, there was also a definite loss of respect for me as a teacher from my students. More children got into trouble and were sent out, good children started to push the boundaries, and my directions were met with complaint and defiance. My 'joy of teaching' was disappearing and the support I asked for wasn't forthcoming.

On top of this I was told Wednesday - not by the Head, but by another teacher - that I would be observed the next day. Not surprisingly, the observation did not go well as my students decided to act up (I had only had Joseph in my class for one day before the observation!) I was tired, stressed, frustrated, and angry with the way the Head was handling the situation. By Thursday night, I was thinking about leaving.

Friday morning rolls around and I am asked to meet with the Head. She sat me down and told me she had to let me go. Not for any real reason, but that she "has to be seen to do something," as the school was to be audited any day.

That's not all - Not only was I to go, but my students were to be split between three classes (one 4th year and two 5th year classes). Not only are students now in the wrong year, but friendships they've made over the years in my class will be destroyed. The three teachers getting my students are of coarse less than happy, and will have to work harder to teach both levels.

What makes me laugh is that all three of my miserable children (Joseph, Skywalker, and Jodie) are being put into one of the year 5 classes! All three in one class - Worst Decision Ever! I can't wait to hear what happens next week!! Hehe!

Here's the real clincher though: the Head told me not to tell my students I was leaving. She said she would tell them that "something personal has come up in Canada, and that he had to go back." Biggest Lie Ever! What happens when I run into one of my students in the street? "Sorry Child, your Principal lied to you!" ??? That's not all! She had me release my class, then hide in the staffroom so that none of the parents could ask "difficult questions!"

How do I feel now? Pretty good actually. One hour after not saying goodbye to my students, my agency (TimePlan) called to book me as a TOC - teacher on call (supply) - for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! Obviously no lack of work in Birmingham.

I will greatly miss many of my co-workers (they are already invited me for drinks next Friday!) and I will miss many of my children, but I will not miss the crap - excuse my language - going on in management.

I like Birmingham, and I plan to stay longer. The new year brings the winds of change and I plan to ride it - to find something more worthwhile of me.

Thank you for all your support!

Yahoooooooooooooo!

School is OUT for Christmas!

And, oh, do I NEED this. Two beautiful weeks away from the children who are driving me mad! Mwahahah!

Whew. Yes, the first term is over. School begins again on Sept 3, so what am I going to do for two weeks? Well, I am heading to Guildford for Christmas to see my cousins Nicky, Lara, and Angie. It will be really nice to see them, as it has been about three years. I'll let you know about my New Year's plans once they are finalized.

I can sleep in tomorrow!!!

Pantomime Time

Merry Christmas Web!

Yesterday, a traveling pantomime came to our school! We were treated to Aladdin, the panto, performed by only three people - the Villain (he also played the "bubbles" character), the Hero (good looking girl playing Aladdin), and the Dame (hairy fat man in a dress). And what a DAME!

This was the most over-the-top Dame I've ever seen! Fat, flamboyant dress, white clown face, scary woman make-up, deep male voice, and plastic fluorescent hair! The show was great and the kids loved it! I loved it too!

Somehow, though, the Dame knew my name! She told the school (as she was describing her past husbands) that she was in love with Mr. Bond. And boy did she not drop it. She (or he!) came and sat on my lap (to the mortification of my students!) and fed me fudge, showed me her ankle (ugh), and blew kisses across the hall. And I loved it!

Some of you out there may not know that I've been involved with pantomimes for the last 10 years in North Vancouver. With SMP, I've played the Babe, the Wolf, the Sage, the Farmer, the Villain!, the Rat, even the Panto Horse! Unfortunately, I won't be in this year's pantomime - Robin Hood and the Singing Nun - but I was able to create the poster and logo.


For those of you in the Vancouver Area, I urge you to go see this panto! Go see it now! Well, go see it in January!!! Go watch it for me and let me know! It is going to ROCK!!!

Miss you guys, SMP Panto-People!

Work's about to get a lot harder...again.

Well, tomorrow the second of two problem children is returning to my class. So far Skywalker has caused a major shift in the classes behavior, causing some of the other children to act up. The second child, who I will call Chewbacca, will be rejoining my class after being in the year 3 class for over a month and in the other year 4 class for a week. These constant switching of classes is very difficult on students, as they need to learn the different classroom expectations of each teacher. Chewbacca is less mature than Skywalker, and thankfully less mean. He will sure be a handful though. I assure you I am dreading tomorrow.
I will let you all know how it goes...

Work's about to get a lot harder...

So I feel I have a grasp on the behavior issues in my class now. This is a good thing as it allows me to teach and allows the kids to learn. Unfortunately, this week has had two events that are going to make my life quite a bit more difficult and stressful: the return of Skywalker to the class and the removal of my teaching assistant.

Skywalker is the name of a student, as the names have been changed to protect the (ahem) innocent. Skywalker is a very rough kid with very little regard for personal property or the feelings of others. He was taken out and placed in another class before I took over as teacher. It was always in the plan to have him back eventually, although no date was set. Turns out, that date was Tuesday.

I arrived early on Tuesday (as I do every day) and set the classroom up. I did my photocopying and drew my daily dinosaur on the white board (it was a baryonyx, I think.) Soon 8:45 rolled around and the students began arriving. It was at this point in the day were one of the vice-heads (principals) leaned in and told me I'd be having Skywalker from now on.

"What?" I said, somewhat shocked. I naturally had expected to have some sort of meeting or short staffroom water-cooler discussion about the subject, so I could have gathered materials for the boy and reorganized the classroom. But no, the decision had been made and I was to deal with it. Thanks.

Secondly, I found out today that I will probably no longer have a permanent teaching assistant for my class. Great! Who needs help with an unruly class plus the roughest kid in school newly added. Not I!

My fantastic TA had also been working one-on-one with a child in the year above me for the past few weeks, and it seems the school is about to move her permanently into that class (and she really does not want to go). This leaves myself and the other year four teacher sharing one TA. I foresee problems in this arrangement as my TA will be very unhappy and my children with have ANOTHER change to their environment - causing more behavior issues for me. The less change and more stability they get, the better.

These two decisions were made by the administration at the school. I blame them for the problems this will cause. And it will be me and the students who will suffer. Oh well, at least I am planning a fun weekend: Going out to see Tenacious D tonight and then co-hosting a vodka party on Saturday night!

But now I haves some school re-planning to do...

Peter Bond (Traveling Teacher) still alive!

Yes, I am still alive.
Yes, I finally (after two weeks) have broadband internet.
Yes, I am swamped with paperwork and lesson planning and SEN reports.
No, I have not been:
a. kidnapped by my students or
b. killed in a playground brawl between two 5-year olds.

And unfortunately, yes, I have seen a drug deal go down in front of the school - WHILE THE KIDS WERE PLAYING OUTSIDE!


Anyway, I am safe and enjoying myself, and now have the entire next week off ("half-term break") so I am heading down to the BIG city, London, to see my Uncle Tim and Family and revisit the city I love so much!

Welcome to Birmingham

Now begins the main part of my adventures abroad. Living and working in Birmingham, and making some pounds. After having such a great time in Munich with Marianne, Nathalie, Toby, Randi, and Remi, it was a shock to come up to the UK and have to plan the rest of my year right away. In fact, my entire journey here was extremely fast-paced.

I arrived in Birmingham from Munich around 12:30pm, to be met by Duncan. I at this point didn't know where I was going to stay the night. We were eating in the pub for lunch, when TimePlan (my teaching agency) called and wanted me there that night. So Duncan drove me all the way up! What a guy!! (Thank you Duncan!) We got caught in some nasty traffic on the M6, and were guided in by phone to the TimePlan office. The next day I am working in a classroom!

I have a class in a place called Weolly Castle, which isn't the nicest part of town, teaching Year 4 children (age 8-9). I have a handful of a class, with two terrible boys. The teacher before me left after 3 weeks! YIKES! Luckily, there are only 14 of them. A very small class by Canadian standards...

Anyway, I now have a mobile phone, a bank account, a job, and a library card. Tomorrow I am looking for a flat (apartment) and a bus pass! Wish me luck!