First Day... Eek!

I don't think there is a better way to start this, than to start at the very beginning...

The beginning of my first day at school started at 5:30, well that's when my alarm went off. I got out of bed at 5:45. I had showered last nite (thanks to the advice of my friend) so only had to get dressed and do my hair (I decided to wear it down for a change) and make-up! My mom (recently retired) very lovingly made my boiled egg on toast, and sat with me while I had my breakfast. Unlike every other one of my first days at school or varsity, I wasn't feeling nervous today.

I picked up my fellow colleagues just before 7am, and headed out to the bundus, to our first day of our first teaching prac! I told the others that I felt confident, and that I had already planned a lesson for 2 of my classes, so I was prepared if need be! We decided on the way that we would actually take a video and photos next time (so watch this space), as our experience is one that I dont think many are going to come by!

We arrived at 7:30, and received such a warm welcome from the staff who we had met during our first visit to the school. We, as staff, received a welcome from the headmaster, and he asked the staff to all introduce themselves. We then attended assembly, where we were introduced to the entire high school, consisting of 627 pupils. It was sometime during this stage that the sick, nervous, cant eat, might throw up, feeling started making itself evident in the pit of my stomach. I didnt know whether I would cry! It became so real...we were there, to teach, actual lessons. Like, as i said before, the future knowledge of those matric pupils poetry, was in my hands! Eff!

I must add, as an aside, that the principal's welcoming address to the school was the first one I've ever attended (not that there have been many), where the principal THANKS the learners for being at school on the first day! This was not negotiable while I was at school. Us as learners were privileged to be there, and have teachers there, not the other way around! It was then that I got a small glimpse of the experience I was in for.

I found out at about 10am, that there were no flushing toilets, but wait for it... long drops. My first thought was to curse my friend (thanks Gen) for not telling me about this from her experience last year. Then I figured that Splashy Fen 2 weekends ago had prepared me enough, and that I would brave it. Apart from holding the door shut (locks are on the outside) with one hand, so as to avoid giving the 627 pupils plus staff more than they bargained for, and using the other hand to, well, wipe, the task was relatively pain free! However, I may consider my water consumption a little bit more carefully in the future.

I observed 3 lessons - 2 English, and one Arts and Culture (with the Life Orientation teacher). I didnt get to interact with the students much, but did get a general feel for their understanding and 'vibe.' Apart from the 2 sleeping students in grade 8, they were so cute. Willing to learn and listen to the teacher. The matric and grade 10 classes that I observed for English seem like they may be a bit taxing, but I will survive - I start teaching them tomorrow! Eek!

The staff are lovely, so accomodating and friendly. The students seem just as lovely, and I really do want to give them all a chance. I noticed that students come in and out of the staffroom, bringing books and fetching things. I noticed this at another rural school where I have done mentoring. This concept is quite foreign to me, because at my high school, the office and staff room were out of bounds. As friendly as the staff are, there was a sort of segregation. Whereas today, and I don't know if it's because of the rural, Ubuntu thing, but there was this amazing sense of community, and team work between the staff and learners, regardless of age. It's better. I feel its how it should be. There are greater worries than what shade of blue your hair tie is, or whether your dress is 4 or 5 fingers higher than your knee. I feel these should be overlooked when dealing with the major problems our education system is facing. There is a need for community, for active involvement from anybody around, to educate the youth of today... because it's the one chance they have to change the circumstances around them

I went through a wave of emotions and feelings about today, while I was there. I went from excited, to nervous, to regretful, to a sort of desperation, to excited and that's where I sit now...Watch this space!