A day of mixed fortunes.

Today was a strange day, 4 classes 3 were 2nd year and 1 was 4th year. Some of the work carried out by the 2nd year classes was outstanding, and some of the work carried out by the 4th year class was abysmal.

Normally this would cause me concern, but instead I am stunned because almost every student who hadn't finished their work asked to take it home to complete it, and this was on top of the Homework I had allocated them.

I know the pupils here are in a slightly privilidged position, and that there are term fees to attend this school, but it is still so refreshing to see students who want to learn and who want to work. It makes the teaching so much more enjoyable when you can relax and get on with it, instead of fighting the tide of behavioural difficulties. Oh and not one child of the 300 odd pupils I teach has a medical condition, a behavoural difficulty, or some form of allergy, that affects their attention or ability. Makes you wonder what we are doing wrong in UK that in effect a 3rd world country can get so right.

One thing that does come to mind is that Colombia is still a very family orientated culture, and the school tries to re-iterate that ethos. School uniform is compulsory and strictly enforced, pupils are polite and friendly, almost to the point of innocence. They like to feel they have some sort of connection with you as a person not just as their teacher, and it never fails to make me smile when walking to lunch, or around the school, that the pupils you teach go out of their way to wave or say hello.

One thing I did find hard about today was the last period. The kids like anywhere, are slightly hyper last period of the day, and Colombian kids love to talk constantly. However today I had to make a point and explain that when I am talking it is polite to listen and not talk over through and around me. It was as if I had pulled the carpet from under their feet, and it probably took me a further 15 minutes to get them back on side. However the point was made and worth the effort.

The other area of concern is the class sizes. Trying to teach 28 second year pupils in one class is a nightmare, and taking them into the workshop area, once it is set up to run, is going to be a concern I have already raised with the SMT. It wont happen for a couple of weeks yet though as we still have no Wood, MDF or Plastic. Just as well I feel totally comfortable working in Graphics.



Pupils relaxing during break in the sports field, and below the School Buses that pick me up at some ungodly hour of the morning and drop me off late in the afternoon.