(no subject)

[caz963]

I crashed out ridiculously early yesterday evening; the kids put a DVD on to watch (Friday is "movie night") and I think I'd more or less passed out by about 7! Mr Caz woke me up at about 10 and I headed off to bed - but sod's law; I had a really crappy nights' sleep because I kept waking up with backache. So I've been pretty tired all day, really and am going to wimp out very soon.


Things continue to go well at my new school. I'm getting some good feedback - and I can't tell you how much that's helping me. Given some of the problems I've had this year, it's really nice - and important - to be reminded that I can actually do this job. My boss there has told me on several occasions how impressed other members of staff are with what I'm doing; and I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet or anything, it's just good to know that the work I'm putting in is appreciated.

My contract there lasts until Christmas, but my boss said last week that they'd like to take me on permanently; there are some complications to do with another member of staff who's on long term sick leave which need to be dealt with before they can offer me anything though. But if things do work out, then at last, I'll have just the one full-time job, which is something I've wanted since I qualified. The school's a tough one, but there's a real desire to raise standards; morale among the staff seems good and from my own point of view, there's a real opportunity for me to make the department my own. I've always been working to someone else's schemes of work, but now I've got the chance to do basically what I like, provided I cover what needs to be covered.

And I've had great fun this week - helping with the auditions for Bugsy Malone which we're putting on next term. I'll be coaching the singers - musically, and with their accents!



We decided to take advantage of the weather today and headed off to -



- Westwood Park, just outside Colchester. It's not open to the public as a rule; it's actually a business centre these days, but there was an art exhibition there today in aid of the local hospice so we went along.



It's a lovely, well preserved Jacobean building with beautiful grounds and gardens;



And most importantly - look at that sky! Not a cloud in sight. Not exactly an Indian Summer, but we've had a nice few days - and the forecast for tomorrow is good, so it might be time for the final visit of the season to the beach.

Comments

[hooloovoo_42]

That's really great news about the school. I hope they can sort everything out and get you on a permanent contract in the new year.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Of course, it could just be that anything is better than nothing, and that this is just the honeymoon period!

But even though it's not exactly the best school in the ares (far from it!) I do feel that there's some potential there.

[leli-5.livejournal.com]

I'm very happy to hear you're having a better go of it at work. I hope everything works out and they offer you that permanent position soon.

[caz963.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I mean, it's still not exactly ideal, because of the distance involved - it's a sixty mile round-trip each day, and with petrol prices as they are currently, it makes a big dent in the finances. But it would be nice to be settled for a couple of years at least and gain the experience I'll need to be able to go for a HoD job when I feel ready.

[zinke.livejournal.com]

That's good news about the school - it sounds like you've really made a great impression! And I'll keep my fingers crossed about the permanent contract. Yays!