Later...
Well, most of the teachers arrived on time but seem to be missing one person. Rang up HO who said they'd look into it. Induction was OK. Tried to make it easier for them by making the sessions snappier but a few of them looked a bit too jet-lagged to appreciate them. Think they only got off the plane last night. Should be a good team though. Mix of ages and experience. Have to keep my eye on one of them who looks a bit fretful. Maybe she's just nervous - she's only just finished her CELTA. I'll pair her off with Ken who's been in the game for yonks. Set them different tasks to do and one pair made these very creative classroom signs. Wish I was that arty. First students arriving about 10 in the evening so will have to get prepared for that. Hope they'll want to go straight to bed after the induction as I volunteered to greet that group! The Welfare and Social Organiser's going to have a lot on his hands as there are 3 other groups arriving at different times later. Got to get some shuteye so that I'm on the ball tomorrow in order to coordinate the testing of 150 students.Ella, one of the Senior Teachers, is a god-send! What is she like! Told her the situation, gave her some of the test papers and off she went. Organised everyone and everything to a T. She even got them all marked and sorted into classes (with the help of some of the teachers, obviously) so all I have to do is check them and and put them on the database. It should be a cinch to print out the class lists and registers, and put them up on the noticeboards. I bet someone will come in tomorrow morning and say they're in the wrong class! Think I might ask her about teaching pairs - she seems to have built a good rapport with them already.
After dinner.
That was relatively painless. Teachers seem happy with their partners and saw some of them already working on their lessons for tomorrow. The newly-qualified teacher looked a bit stressed so had a look at her lesson plan with her. It was fine in principle, but gave her a few tips on making it a bit more dynamic and fun. Wonder why she didn't ask Ken? Had a quick visit of the activity just to make sure people were where they were supposed to be. Everything seemed to be OK. Students were having fun at the disco. Did the lights-out duty with a couple of others. Not too arduous, just had to be on hand in case of emergencies, and did some patrolling. Think the students were tired from all the dancing.
Helped another new teacher with his lesson. A bit strange - too much grammar and reading, so had to put him right. Perhaps he comes from the old school? And, believe it or not, another teacher wanted to play Eminem to her class! Just when I thought we were cruising along nicely. Mind you, the language probably wouldn't shock the students as much as it does me.
Thought of a great idea - made some space on a noticeboard in the staffroom for teachers to put up their lesson ideas and tips. Think I might also insist on looking at their lesson plans on a regular basis.
Did the draft rota ready for the Activities Manager to add in her bit. Not too many requests for specific days off yet so it wasn't complicated.
Talked to the teachers about the students who wanted to move up and they agreed, so that was good. Had a quick chat to Joe the ST who said he'd be more than happy to lead the seminar tomorrow as he'd done a similar thing at his old school. If he keeps on like this, I'd definitely recommend him for a DOS position next year.Saw the excursion off in the afternoon. A teacher was late so that'll
be brought up in the meeting tomorrow as well. Did a quick inspection
of the classrooms to make sure they were being looked after. There
was some very interesting work on the notice boards. Glad that I
can report back to the conference office that everything's OK.
Started my weekly report to Head Office which is due in early
next week. So many things to organise and do that I prefer to do a
little each day, rather than in one fell swoop at the end of the week.
A couple of GLs came to ask about seminars for them. They wanted to learn about new EFL methodology so will have to do some quick searching on the internet for ideas. HO might be able to help as well. Will send them an email.
Joe did a very good seminar. Quite a high turnout and all agreed it was very worthwhile. Did some more paperwork this afternoon, mainly the rota for next week. When the AM and the WSO do their bits, I'll put it all on the database and print them out. Dropped into the karaoke evening. Really nice to see teachers enjoying themselves so much. Can imagine there'll be quite a few tears at the end of next week when these groups leave.
Had night duty again, and it was noisier this time round. Had a couple of students running in and out of bedrooms at midnight and a person lurking outside the accommodation block. Luckily, the security guard was close at hand so he arrived soon after my call to deal with it. Found out it was lost local who thought it’d be fun to take a shortcut.
Did my normal quick check of the registers at 9.10 and found two students missing. So the WSO and I went to the bedrooms to look for them, which is where we found them, snoring under their bedcovers. Don't know how they were missed in the wake-up calls. So made sure they got washed and ready quick smart. The refectory staff were very kind to let them have some cereal and juice first as I don't think they'd be up to much without breakfast. Things calmed down after that and was an uneventful morning, though there was the highlight of the project work presentations. A couple of theatre pieces, one very funny one from the elementary group, bless them; one class sang, a bit off-key but the heart was there; another class did a presentation on their countries, complete with flags and photos; and the fifth class had prepared a quiz. Great fun! Ashamed to say a student team won that.
Got all the staff to sign the payroll report and faxed it off to HO, Had the rest of the afternoon and evening off so went into town for a spot of solitariness, though being Friday, it was pretty busy. At least I didn't see any students skiving, which would have spoilt the afternoon as I'd have to confront them and march them back to the centre!
Day off tomorrow! Can't wait!