Colombian air must be making me stronger!

Today is usually a day I really look forward to as I have 4 Grade 8 classes of 22/23 so they are a nice size, they are mature kids and they are creative.

Unfortunately due to the death yesterday of the Art Teacher who had been a stalwart of the school for many years it meant that my 8th Grade classes would be missing to attend the funeral so as I went into work the first thought was of a day of paperwork and sorting out IB MYP plans.

For some reason beyond my understanding Technology a new subject this year has been put under Science as a faculty - this causes a lot of confusion as they work to a different schedule and cannot understand our 8, 10 and 12 week projects. Personally I feel we are closer to Art & Design or if following the IB Diploma side ICT as pupils get a choice at IB of ICT or Technology through Product Design.

However I have enough paperwork to sort out to last me a few days no matter who we are under. Today seemed like the ideal opportunity until I stopped in the staff room and found I had cover for period 6. Oh well only 1 class I thought as I made my way to the department - There Diana took time to explain that she was also going to the funeral and they hadn't covered her classes - What could I say... certainly not NO! Its the department - Call me old fashioned but I believe cover for a department should always be done where possible by the department staff. Yet so often I see other staff filling in while a member of the actual department who could give far better teaching cover sits in the staffroom drinking coffee and faking marking the same book over and over. So as today turned out I had 1 of my classes 2 and a half of Dianas and ended the day looking at American Colonialism in Spanish.
All of which being a Wednesday was followed by Meetings.

One of the meetings was almost entirely in Spanish (Only fair really as I was the only non spanish speaker present) However it was an interesting meeting as the information put onto the white board was in English so I could follow the thread if not exactly follow the conversation BUT I did have a moment during the meeting where my mind drifted to a film I had watched a year or so ago called 13th Warrior. The idea of the film was that an Arabian Warrior joined 12 Vikings on a journey to a great battle and there was a repeating scene where the vikings were all sat around the camp fire talking, the Arabian warrior unable to comprehend what was being said but with each following campfire he understood a word, then two words then a sentence until eventually without warning he spoke to the vikings in their own language. Now I am a long way from speaking Spanish but I did find I was picking out odd words - words that had become familiar, Listo (ready), Pero (but) Not Perro (dog), Trabajo (work)etc.. words my mind could process BUT unfortunately by the time my mind had processed the words I knew, the conversation had long since moved on.. but its a start.
However I also needed to look at the bandsaw today as there was a problem with it (The blade had been put on upside down was one thing !!) but there was also an issue as to why it was oscillating so much. I slackened off the tension after making sure the Saw was isolated and then opened up the safety guard and saw straight away the blade had slipped off the rear retaining roller. So I calmly took hold of the blade and started to reposition it - and in the process broke the circular blade. Now I am assuming that running the blade backwards !!!!! had weakened the joint either that or living in Bogota has given me the strength of Superman ... I'm not totally convinced of that yet though, so will keep my pants INSIDE my trousers and not on top for the time being.
Adios amigos - was going to put "up up and away" in Spanish which Babel fish tells me is "encima de ascendente y lejos" but when translated it becomes "upon ascending and far" - somehow doesn't have that same Man of Steel Appeal ...

In a deep resonating voice " Upon Ascending and Far " I fly off into the setting sun .....