Its Friday TGIF !

Friday is a strange day when its only Day 2 of your work schedule I doubt I am ever going to get used to this system.

The new workbenches make a huge difference to the rooms you can actually sit the kids and I can even make up seating plans... By the time I leave I might actually KNOW the names of some of these 250 odd kids.

The benches are not without their problems though there is a level of workmanship that is somewhat missing with regard to finishing to an acceptable standard, which is why over the weekend the carpenters that made them are supposed to be coming back in to sand and finish the areas that need sorted out.

That said I'd happily have one in the back garden (if I had a back garden) and I am sure I could do a nice sideline with the interest shown by a few of the management team.

I have had to put my foot down today.. Its a shame really as the kids are so good at so many things and the problem is minor, but today in 3 seperate classes I started to teach design only to find some pupils preferring to ignore me and talk amongst themselves. So I stopped and did a little side lesson on respect and what it means to give respect and to receive it. Hopefully they will have got the point. Teaching is such a pleasure and side chat seems such a small thing, in fact it is the only thing and I almost thought that perhaps it wasn't the kids reacting, but that it was me. However as I explained to them they expect me to stop what I am doing and listen to them when they want to tell me something or ask a question so it would seem only fair that they show the same level of respect to me when I am teaching. perhaps the big difference here is that you can actually discuss the situation and hopefully come to a satisfactory outcome.

Another new taste sensation, Diana had a fruit today I haven't seen before or tried I don't know its true name but its about the size of a small apple and when peeled away it leaves what I can only compare to the inside of a pomegranite BUT its sweet and is full of what seem like seeds in a geletanous compound. In all honesty the taste sensation and texture is definitly an acquired taste and thats before Diana told me its common name is ELEPHANTS SNOT !!! yuck !!!