The end of the year

Another month gone and after a great deal of procrastination I have decided to add another post. It is obvious that I am no expert, however some blogs I have read seem to be stuff that people need to get off their chests, and I think that at this stage I probably need to have a rant and rave. I really need to do this. So here goes!

Well, thank God I can say farewell - no, not farewell, not even goodbye, perhaps it should be good riddance to 2008. This has been an horrific year for me, in both work and health and I am so happy to see the end of it.

We moved into a new purpose built school at the beginning of the year! I have to say that the building was not completed and the grounds were just sandy pits with tarmac and concrete paths and sections. It was an absolute mess and the kids went wild!

This year saw for the first time the year 7 students on our site. Oh God, what a nightmare. I have no idea why, but they went berserk. At least 20% of them just went out of their minds and the whole year 7 Learning Area almost became a war zone. The classrooms, all open areas, were trashed regularly and the walls were filled with graffiti.

It seems strange now, but looking back it was as if the year 8 and 9 kids saw what the 7s were doing and decided to do the same thing. OMG!!!

The classes rejected any learning and it was just hard slog getting them to complete even a spelling test. A teacher could spend hours on preparation of a project only to have the kids ridicule all that you had done for them. Not good for the soul, let alone the self esteem!

I have had two mobile phones stolen, dozens of pens, pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners, scissors etcetera go missing and I could go on.

NOW, HAVING SAID ALL THAT - I must admit that amongst all this stuff going on, there were some wonderful children who are polite and well mannered and wanted to do well. They also completed some amazing work and I am extremely proud of them.

Healthwise - It has also been a year best gone! I'm not going to be boring, but just take it from me it has been bloody awful.

I am looking forward to 2009 - there will be some challenges and it seems that there will be some time to actually be able to get to spend with the students in a more relaxed setting...

So.... get lost 2008... and bring on 2009.

And that's it from me for the year.

I wish you and yours every good wish for health and happiness for the coming year.

Only just over seven hours to go... I'm off for a drink, or two...