The weeks are flying by. School has settled into a routine of sorts although the lack of organisation (meetings/PD/schedules) drives me crazy. Nothing a good bottle of wine or a brisk walk can't fix though! Oh to be able to get in there and have some sort of structure. I can make multiple schedules (and others before me have) but getting the powers that be to follow them is another story. Still, we work with what we have.
This is Grade 12 and final year of school for the teenager (finally!). I attended a parent meeting last week and was shocked to find that I should be having weekly family meetings to discuss and track University applications. What a neglectful parent I have been. Considering I've hardly ever seen any homework this is a revelation to me. My goodness, we have it easy as parents down under. Kids just send off an application to the University they wish to attend and hopefully get accepted. Maybe they apply to two or even three but this applying to up to 15, all with an application fee and visit fee, is out of control. I've to write a thesis on my son and what has shaped him to help the counseler help him with his 'College' applications. Surely they can just ask him?
On the subject of homework, this is out of control. At least 5 hours a night and 10-12 each day at the weekend. When I am told by my son that he can not come out to a whanau birthday meal in a restaurant as he has too much homework - well I thought the world had ended. Or, even more concerning, that someone has switched my son. He looks like my son, sounds like my son, eats like my son, sleeps continually like my son, but doing homework???
So times they are a changing...
On the subject of the teenager (how much longer will I be able to call him that?), it is his birthday this weekend so an obligatory trip to A&E (not the hospital, the bottle store) on the way home from school (mmmmm???) to stock up and off out with a few mates for a BBQ. I did insist on the removal of his school shirt before entering A&E!
My role is to make lolly cake. I have to thank sista Di for the fruit puff lollies. Boy, was there an excited young man when I told him I have the lollies to make it! Now I just need to try to find a substitute for malt biscuits.
Nana's caramel slice (tan square) is a favourite recipe at the moment and the boy is making it a lot.
I think the girlfriend, and mother, are very impressed by the cooking skills of the teenager.
I have finally got one of my much needed two missing Grade 1 teachers. And, joy of joy, she is a kiwi. Even better, a fluent Arabic speaking kiwi. What are the chances? I'm going into head office on Monday to ask if there is another kiwi in the wings that I can get. You know, without blowing our own trumpets, we are so well trained as teachers. This one can walk into a class of 37 Grade 1s (not a typo), 37 and wing it. Plus she understands what I am talking about and I d ton't have to train her how to do basic teaching stuff like plan, take running records, assess. Basics to us kiwis. I have suggested that classroom management be the sole focus for the week and to use her Arabic as well as English as the major percentage of girls have no English and haven't been to KG. Baptism by fire!
But that's what we kiwis do well...
Have a great week.
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