Time to say goodbye

It has been an emotional and tiring week in school! I seem to have been in school rather a lot this week, mainly to help out with the traditional Leaver's Play - a chance for the year 5 & 6 class to put on a performance for everyone. This year's play was The Jungle Book and the children did a fantastic job. Monday afternoon was the dress rehearsal in front of the rest of the school and was my first attempt at face painting. Thankfully the children were very patient with my less than artistic efforts! The next two evenings were the main performances for family and friends and everyone really raised their game and put on brilliant performances. I think even I managed to improve my face painting skills by the third attempt! It was the first time I have been involved with the play, and although I didn't have lots to do I really enjoyed seeing the children develop their roles and see their confidence blossoming.

Today was the last day of term and the Leaver's Service - usually a time for lots of tears. This is the second year that I have worked in the same class as this group of children (I was also with them in Year 4) and it is lovely to see how they have grown and matured. I felt very proud of them as they gave their speeches and received their well-deserved awards, and they all did very well to keep composed with only a few tears (there were more tears from the children who were watching than from Year 6!) They are a lovely group of children and a very tight-knit and supportive group and I know that they will continue to flourish at high school.

Probably the saddest part of the morning for me was when Miss M was presented with her leaving gift. She came to the school as an NQT 3 years ago and taught one of my daughters in her first year. I had the pleasure of working with her last year and she has become a very good friend and has been very supportive of my plans to become a teacher. I will miss her at school but am determined to keep in touch. Her new school is very lucky to have her.

The highlight of the day was the annual Year 6 v. staff rounders match. Always a competitive game, the staff were determined to win having lost last year (I wasn't playing then!). Staff went into bat first and we did well, with only 3 people out. I surprised myself by managing to hit the ball at all! Then we were into field and I went to third base - my favourite spot from school - as I can catch but can't throw very far! We started well as Mr D caught the first Year 6 batter out. They managed to get a few round but we soon got into our stride and started getting more out. I managed a catch and also a few run outs, and our vicar (playing for the staff) also caught someone out and made some great throws. In the end the staff beat Year 6 quite comfortably, although they still maintain we cheated!

It is sobering to think that this time next year I will be leaving the school as my pupil will be moving on to high school. Hopefully I will be leaving to move onto my PGCE, although of course there is always the chance I won't get onto the course. I am looking forward to working with the year 5 / 6 group again next year and to helping another group of children to prepare for life after primary school.

Where has the term gone?

It only seems five minutes since I came home from France, yet in just 2 weeks time we will be saying goodbye to our current year 6 and preparing for September and a new class. Time has whizzed by and yet I haven't written anything! This is probably more to do with the fact I have been trying to keep up with my OU courses than anything else. In hindsight, trying to study 120 credits in 9 months while working and being a single parent to 4 children during the week while hubby works away was rather foolish, but I only have 3 months to go and am hopeful I will survive! Results in French haven't been what I would have liked - whilst I can communicate perfectly well in French I am finding the rigid academic style far more difficult. Thankfully the lovely Mandy has been helping me with my German, otherwise I fear I would be failing that as well! Just 1 course assessment to go in each course, then an end of course written and spoken assessment for each and I'm done! Looking forward to only having 60 credits to contend with from October till June 2012, then hopefully my degree will be finished.

In preparation for my PGCE application, I recently spent a morning in a local Junior school. It was interesting to see the difference between a single age class and my current mixed age class. The same problems with differentiation still exist, yet they were all expected to work at a very similar lesson. I have also made arrangements to spend a couple of days in a local Secondary school which specialises in languages, in September, just to reassure myself that Primary is the way for me. I really can't see myself teaching at Secondary level - I love working with the year 5/6 class and see that as my future.

I have also had the opportunity to lead my class over the last couple of weeks, either while the teacher was out or when he had assessments to complete. And I loved it! I thought I might be really nervous in front of the class, yet while I was a bit self concious I really enjoyed the opportunity to test how I could engage the class and direct their work.

I do feel very nervous about the PGCE application, but can only do my best! Whether I have the skills that the university is looking for remains to be seen, but I will be doing my best over the summer to ensure that I am as prepared as I can be (as well as finishing off my current OU courses!) And for now, I can concentrate on helping my class as they prepare for their leaver's play, as well as making sure I am ready for the Year 6 v. staff rounders match on the last day of term!