The Daily Grind

I’m lying in bed (oh the beauty of wireless technology!), preparing to get an early night before “the big day” tomorrow.

(I actually don’t know why I’m bothering as I know I’ll be counting sheep all night. I realise that no matter how long you’re in this game the “first-day jitters” will always be there; although now I go through it twice – before the staff return, and then before the pupils!!)

Anyway, it gives me a chance to reflect on our INSET days last week…

We had two. Rather than having pupils restart on a Friday – and allow our new entrants to suffer two bouts of separation anxiety – we opted for a Monday return for pupils. The downside being a full week to begin with!

I know all those reading outwith the teaching profession will be pooh-poohing this statement, following our 7 week break; but I defy anyone to motivate a class of new P1’s by Thursday of this week. They’ll be sleepwalking into school – but I’ll keep you posted!

Anyway, I digress -

Back to our back to back INSET days.
We were truly motivated as a staff when Eleanor Gavienas and Jenny Logue of Jordanhill College came on Thursday to refresh our thoughts in an excellent day on Classroom Mangaement and Organisation.
It wasn’t rocket science or indeed any well-kept secret; merely a sharing of excellent practice in teaching and learning methods in classrooms today.

After the bondage of 5-14 for the past 15 years or so, the prospect of A Curriculum for Excellence is really quite liberating. It will free us up to teach in the creative and dynamic way which spurred us on into entering the profession. We’ve learned a lot about the way in which we learn since the introduction of the curriculum guidelines in the early 90’s; and this, coupled with the imagination of excellent practitioners will bring excitement and real achievement to our schools.

Day Two saw our Staff Meeting and a chance for me to share my vision with the staff.
CPS is already a good school, but together we can make it an excellent school. It’s through dynamic teaching, mutual respect and “going the extra” mile that we can make this happen. We’re a strong team and entering into a new session is a good time to revisit this notion.

So, roll on Session 2006-07. It will certainly bring fresh challenges – of that I have no doubt – but it will also bring adventure, excitement and success.

We’re up for it, so bring it on!…