Up early, showered, dressed and eating the breakfast when the phone rang to work for a day in Earnshaw. It was about 15 mins drive away so I had about half an hour to get ready and get a taxi there. The school was pretty big and when I went to the reception I was brought to the junior school section (think it was junior- it was year 4 anyway). To get to this section you had to go around the swimming pool!! Imagine having a pool on campus- its crazy!! There was another office there then and a woman there had a file for me with information for the day and the work to be done which was sound!
I had all girls- around 9 or 10. Most in year 4 and one table of girls in year 5. They were grand but full of chat! We had to read a novel, do some word study, some Maths and art. A few of them had absolutely no interest in working- they are just dying for the end of term Id say!
It's a but weird when you don't know the kids because they still tell you all the little stories. One girl was talkin about someone else killing themselves and saying it was to do with what the father did. There were tears and everything but sure I hadnt a clue what was going on! The school chaplain (no less) met them at break time- I don't know if they went to her or not but she took them out of class and said there were ongoing problems with them. It's a nuisance to be landed into a class where you don't know anyone's situation but good also that you aren't the one responsible really for ongoing issues!
I didn't meet many adults during the day. There was a classroom assistant there in the morning. At first break I met the teacher next door and he showed me the staff room but there were only three people in there. I dont know where the rest of the staff go! At second break I was on yard myself. It's a bit silly havin a stranger supervise kids. One fellow was crying because he said noone liked- I consoled him a bit but sure I don't know if they like him or not!!
The principal came into the class in the morning but didn't say much. He was talking to someone after school so I just got to say a quick goodbye and thank you.
Grand to survive the first day anyway!! They kept saying how good this class of girls were and I thought they were awful chatty and not willing to work. So either they were majorly tuned off at the end of term and just chancing their arm with the sub or else other classes are terrible altogether!! The kids seemed nice in the school in general though so I'm sure they are fine.
After school I got the train to another station which was on Mikes route home an he picked me up at the shopping centre home! I actually had a free train ride as it turns out the swipe for the travel card is outside the platform and I never saw it!! Oh well!
Didnt do much for the evening! Was tired enough after a day of trying to stop girls talking! Talking to Mam and Dad for a while- no news really from either side!