Scotland.

First up, 80's night, there are loads of photo's (not my photos so most of you cant see them on facebook), so I've just picked a few. It was a fantastic night out.

Scotland.

I had a fantastic time in Scotland, such a beautiful place, similar to NZ, particularly in the Scottish highlands, but with added castles and a little less green at this time of year. Not going to write a lot as a picture tells a thousand words, not sure how many words there are in a video...

There you go, hope you enjoyed that.
Much love peoples.

Terms end.

Made it to the end of the term. It seemed to drag on a little at the end. It has been a busy half term. Had a few timetable changes through the middle. I am now officially the lead teacher of Physics at Walton high. Hopefully that goes well, there will be plenty to do I think. I've also picked up a PGCE (student teacher) in the last few weeks, which has been good. Not much to say really about the term, was pretty standard, just busy. Got to pretend to be an english teacher in the middle with a fellow science teacher with the Y8's public speaking ALD. I think we pulled it off quite well (frankly we were awesome english teachers, but I still prefer science), one of our group came second on the day (first by crowd popularity though). Felling a lot more settled in the place now and looking forward to next term, should be good and I'll loose some senior classes to Exam time (Much like what happens in NZ).

On holiday now for 2 weeks. kicked it off with an 80's party for a friends birthday (I had long hair again for a night, sigh...). Off to Scotland tomorrow to see a friend from NZ who married a Scottish gent and is now living in Inverness. I come back later in the week and will spend time relaxing and preparing for the new term.  I've just managed to find a summer hockey team (was on my list of things to do), no idea exactly who I'm playing with, but don't really care I just miss the game. So of course had to get myself a nice new stick as I left my other ones in NZ. should kick off late April. 

Anyway things are looking good here, few things coming up that should be a bit of fun. Getting out as much as I can and just generally trying to have fun and enjoy the company of good people. Was trying to think of something deep and philosophical then, but it ain't happening. 

Ready, Steady, Teach!

Interesting first week back, I got a modified timetable on Monday morning, knew some changes where coming and I had a rough idea of what they were. It was still interesting to plan classes in very short time frame around the gear that was pre-ordered by the previous teacher, nice little challenge for the week. A bit like a game show where you have to teach based on a random assortment of equipment. Very tiring though to have the ongoing little changes through the week and not being able to fully settle into the new timetable, hopefully it will be better next week as I'm pretty sure my timetable is fixed for now. One big bonus is a lovely Y10 group I've picked up, who are a load of fun to teach.
After a little chat with a DP at school I now have an official interview for Lead teacher of Physics next week and I will need to teach an observed lesson for them too. There is apparently (as far as I know) one other external applicant, so everything must be done properly. I am very glad I'm not going against anyone else in the department though.

I've also got a bike now (for those of you who didn't find out moments after I got it). It's a VTR1000, It's a big V-twin that thumps along with very little fuss, driving to my sisters today I was going along at 70 mph for a little while before I realised I was only in second gear ... So changed up to 6th and idled along at 70 mph instead (2700ish rpm). Have picked up a spare helmet from Amanda too ; ).

The new VTR1000 (V-twin)

An awesome photo of my CBR600RR that is still waiting to sell in NZ, Thanks Haim.

As mentioned moments ago, I have been in Thatcham today to help out Amanda and Phillip tidy the house for its sale. It has been good to spend time with them before their pending move to the USofA. Although at this point I'm a little wasted after the late night singstar Friday (Good times, "Go Team Science" is all I have to say).

Miss you all my kiwi friends... Much love to you all.

Mid-term break.

Well I made it through the first half term. Just starting to feel settled with my classes, however, have changes coming again, my timetable is set to be shuffled in a week, not sure exactly what I'm picking up. I do know I'm getting an awesome group of Y10's though, bit like the top-stream group I had in NZ. So that will be cool. Might be getting a Y7 too, but not sure, may loose my 13's as they join the two small classes into one. Many things up in the air. I am however going to go for the lead teacher of physics job (I checked with the other physics guy and he doesn't want it). So just have to tweak the CV and write a cover letter for the job, feels a bit odd applying for another job all formally when I'm already there, but have to do it right.

On break for a week, which is good as it give me some time to relax, has been non-stop for ages. Went to Coventry yesterday to see Coventry Cathedral, which was bombed out in the second world war. It is quite impressive, I made a little video of it.

Haven't done a whole lot else, apart from sorting out furniture for my room and trying to find a motorbike to buy. I have brought all the gear, but haven't found a good bike for a price I can afford yet, might have to wait a month to get enough. :-( , Ah well all good things take time.

Much love to you all, take care.

Just a little something to leave you with.

It's on the floor!!!

For the first time in ages, I'm actually sitting at a desk as I type! Nothing unusual about that you say? Well I have been living in a bedroom with nothing but a bed, so now having a desk is a bit novel. However, I do fell slightly bad for abandoning the floor storage system that has served me so well for weeks now. Still a week to go till I get my wardrobe and drawers so I can enjoy the simplicity of floor storage for a little long

Had a great Friday night out with some of the other peoples from school at a awesome little pub and I can confirm that alcoholic ginger beer is almost as dangerous as cider (Cheers Michelle for the memories). Just spent today with my folks around Milton Keynes, shopping and exploring the place a little more. Good to see them and just spend some time with them. Including Dad successfully winding up some Brits in the pub watching the 6 nations (some pubs here do really good food).

Not sure how the next little while will go, an interesting development is unfolding at work. A little unexpected and I need to sort out how it will go and if I can do it without stepping on toes as the new guy. Anyway I'll let you know more as I can and as I make my decision. Interesting times... The actual teaching side of things is going well and I feel a lot more settled now in the school. Starting to get the hang of the systems, although my entire timetable got deleted on Thursday so I hope by the time I am back on Monday I actually have classes to officially teach.

Weather has chilled again today after quite a nice week. there is talk of snow again next week, which will also be the last week of school before mid-term.

God bless, hope you are all well and looking after each other.
Much Love
Paul.
  

People...

Life is a funny thing, everything is going so well, you think everything is sorted and ok. Your enjoying yourself with extra stuff at work, although the main bit is a little repetitive, but not bad. Your love life is good, or so you think. Then smack. One thing after another shatters your little safe and predictable world. Hind sight is such an annoying thing. Looking back life was stagnant, stuck in a rut, mistakes made, caught in things that didn’t matter, not talking about the things that did matter. This leads me to the point of my ranting, People. Life should always be about people and relationships. So much other stuff just gets in the way, we forget to take time out for the people who really truly matter to us. Taking to many important things (like love & honesty) for granted...

Now I find myself in a completely different place and feeling freed from so much stuff that didn’t matter and without the one thing on this earth that truly did matter. Still lots of new friends and good times to be had. Hind sight... Why don’t people say things when it is happening, not when it is already done and past. Be open and honest in all you do. You need people. I miss you my good friends... 

You all right???

"You all right?" to start with I thought I must look like I'm not alright, till I realised it just what people say around here instead of "how are you?". To me though it has seems to make the assumption that your not... and you clearly need some help. Maybe it is just me?

Settling in well to the school here. The teaching is better now that i'm past revision lessons for stuff i didn't teach them. Got to use the Van de Graaff yesterday, the MAGS one is better, which clearly means i'll have to come back at some point as I can't live with a sub par Van de Graaff. I did tinker with it though and it did a bit better. Lit bunsen buirners etc... it's like magic for the 11 general science class. Sadly i didn't get observed during that lesson, or the great one today with my 11 physics class. Oh well, I live to be watched another day. I have a bunch of ideas from what they do here that could be used at MAGS, i'll send some stuff soon.

Photos: 1. Wellington Arch in London (just like the statue). 2. The NZ war mamorial in Wellington Park. 3. Mum and Dad with Harrods behind them (was covered in scfolding last time i saw it), 4. The Horse....

Highlights this week... I meet a Horse...  Went to London on Saturday, was ment to be for a course, but that never happened, which was ok cause it meant i got to spend more time with my Family (Mum, Dad, Amanda and her 2 children Matthew and Kathryn), was a great day. I have some video from it, but haven't had a chance to do anything with it yet. Sunday was relaxing, church and general shopping in MKcentral. This weeks teaching has been pretty standard, except the ALD where we took the Y11 for the day and made Horror film trailers. Was a fantastic day, except for the ussual technology issues at the end of the day when editing and saving things.
Go to http://www.waltonhigh.org.uk/ there is a story on the front page and
http://www.waltonhigh.org.uk/images/horror/horror-video.htm to see the winning trailer from the day, it is pretty good for a days work.
Have been out several times with some of the staff here, they are a nice bunch.

Most things seem to be going very well.
God bless you my friends.