Sorry for the length of last nights post.

You will no doubt be glad to know I have packed my soapbox into my case and do not intend to bring it back out for the remainder of my time here.

Today was yet another frustrating day so much so I emailed the Head of Middle School and complained about the lack of curtosy shown to me by the English department.

I am trying to get Grade 6 completing picture frames and out of my 3 grade 6 classes today I lost 50% each of 2 classes and 100% of the last class. This "event" was not on the calendar and when I checked my mail there was nothing about it at 6.30 in the morning, bearing in mind we have had 4 days off there was no excuse really for not notifying staff earlier.

The email was eventually sent at 7.20, when my first class starts at 7.30. I really felt like saying no you cannot go but then its not the kids fault its the fault of the teacher who organised it and didn't have the common curtosy to ask if it would affect my class timetable.

Then this afternoon while working through lunch as its the only way I can get the kids through their project with all the lost days I witnessed 2 grade 7 kids having a huge fight on the volleyball area it looked nasty with feet hands and headds all being used. I have to admit this is unusual it wasn't a small disagreement. There is supposed to be a duty staff member out there but none was seen, this is something else I find annoying the only staff that seem to take duty tasks seriously are International staff, local staff always seem to forget, or not turn up and that includes "cover" lessons. Its not all local staff but it does seem like it when you see it happen time and time again. Both boys were still wearing their back packs and hadn't stopped when I let out a roar of disapproval (I do have a somewhat loud voice from my years in the RAF so there was no way they didn't hear me... ) so i marched into the centre of the afray grabbed one strap of each back pack and lifted the two lads up into a standing position seperated by me. (This later became commented on that I had lifted them effortlessly up to the point where there feet weren't touching the ground!! Trust me this wasn't so as one of the lads is a good 6 foot tall and I was stetched just holding onto him) I then frog marched them through the crowd of pupils and straight to Head of Middle School to deal with.

So if anything it wasn't an uneventful day.

Wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Quick Rick update .. first "gig" over slightly stressed bit nervous but got through it and is working hard to get the "steps" right before the next show. We all wish him luck.