What’s top of my mind: Something has left a bad taste in my mouth.
I was teaching my year 9s today and a couple of boys suddenly let out a cry, as if they were watching sport on their chromebooks instead of working. I went over and told them off, when suddenly another teacher came into the room and started yelling at them.
Turns out that one of the boys had his phone held up where I couldn’t see it and it appeared that he was filming me. This other teacher had poked their head into the room, looking for an extra chair for their class, and from that angle they could see everything. I confiscated the kid’s phone and the Student Managers and Principal were called in.
At the end of the day, he’ll be unlocking his phone to show the Student Managers and the Principal that he wasn’t filming. If he wasn’t… happy days. Though he was still doing absolutely the wrong thing by having his phone on him in the first place, so he’s still in trouble.
If he WAS filming his teacher, then things won’t be so great for him.
To be honest, it’s left a nasty taste in my mouth. You can trust the vast majority of kids at the school, but this is one kid who could absolutely be doing the wrong thing. I don’t need this sort of thing in my life. I’m retired, after all.
Though even if he put the video up on TikTok, I’m wearing a mask. As Blogless Helen said at lunch, no one would be able to recognise me anyway…
Where I’ve been: Out in the park beside the school.
Just as I was debriefing with the Student Managers at lunchtime, a fire alarm sounded. It wasn’t a drill. The whole school had to go to the park next door, line up in form groups and be accounted for while the fire brigade went through the building to make sure it was safe.
It’s turning into a very exciting day!
Where I’m going: a wedding rehearsal.
David29 let me know that we have to go to Rowville for a wedding rehearsal a couple of days before the Big Day. Evan26 won’t be there – he’ll be performing his show at the Comedy Festival.
What I’m reading: Our Woman in Moscow – Beatriz Williams
How I love my little corner of the internet! On Twitter, I follow a few authors and every now and then they post book recommendations. On Facebook, I have a couple of blogging buddies from the early days of craft blogging who are massive readers, called The Festival Mavens. I’ve read some cracking books from them.
I’ve just started this one. It’s living on my desk at work, where I have 10 minutes at the start of every English class where we do Wide Reading, as well as any spare time I have without corrections or lesson prep.
I’m enjoying it. Can’t wait to see what’s going to happen!
What I’m watching: My life slowly ebbing away.
I’m watching the clock. It’s ten minutes to go until Day 43 is over.
What I’m listening to: A Great Hope – Jessica Stanley
I’m really enjoying this book. I’m not totally sure why, as a lot of the characters aren’t all that likeable, especially Sophie. But every time I hop in the car and start listening, I’m engrossed.
What I’m eating: my home-grown stewed apples.
Well, my breakfasts this week are epic! I stripped my meagre apple crop from my trees a week or so ago and then let them sit in the fruit bowl until the weekend when I stewed up a storm.
They’re now sitting in the fridge, still in the saucepan I cooked them in, and I’m having 3 or 4 heaped dessertspoonsful with my morning oats.
It’s like starting off the day with a party in my mouth.
What I’m planning: when I’m going to see Evan26’s shows at the Comedy Festival.
Evan26 has two shows at the Comedy Festival.
Long Play is the solo show that he wrote himself. It’s the second year he’s performed in the festival. Last year he had a sketch show with a mate from Uni that was an absolute hoot. I can’t wait to see him in this show – he’s such a funny guy. He’s so damned quick with the puns and word play. (I have no idea where he gets it from.)
Underwire is the (almost) solo show by Evan26’s partner. She performed it in Melbourne last year and I can confidently tell you that it’s absolutely worth seeing. I laughed, I cried, I loved it. Evan26 supports her on stage, playing music etc.
I still haven’t organised when we’re all going to see them. I’m a bad mother. But we’ll definitely be there multiple nights – with bells on!
Who needs a good slap: kids with phones in class and mothers who don’t book tickets to their kid’s shows.
Yeah, both these types of people are so annoying … especially the mothers. The mothers deserve a hearty slap.
What has made me smile: my mandarin tree.
A couple of days ago I realised that my plucky little tree has increased its crop by a full 100% since last year.
Yes, it’s growing not one, but TWO mandarins.
Dad joke of the day:
People said I’d never get over my obsession with Phil Collins.
But take a look at me now.
After reading about your phone incident, I know I can never willingly go back into the classroom. But I see the testing companies are hiring teachers to grade assessments, and your idea of earning vacation $ has me thinking…
It’s sad that one bad apple can spoil… well, the whole barrel. I’m still going to do CRT, (Clown College for Evan26 is exxy) but my eyes have certainly been opened.