So, what can I say about the last academic year?
Well, in short, it’s been hard work. I’ve had responsibility for the Year 6 maths results – which I can safely say were the best the school has ever had (the only ones they’ve ever had, admittedly) – and a Year 5 class which I was assured would, this time last year, drive me insane. Thinking back to the state that other teachers have got in with that class – who can be a tricky bunch but just need careful management – I don’t ever think I’ve got to the same stage as those. I certainly won’t look back on them with the same views as some of my colleagues do, I know that. Perhaps this is just my way of thinking, perhaps it stems from having quite a few similar classes in the past. I haven’t encountered much fresh this year, nothing too taxing in the way of challenging behaviour anyway. Sure, there have been days which have been worse than others, but that’s the same with any class, the same with any job!
I know that I’ve made a difference to the 22 Year 5 children and 15 Year 6 children that have been in my care this last academic year. I know that, for some of them, I have had quite a profound impact. I know this all seems quite grand, but thinking back, discussing differences in children with colleagues, all of that, makes me realise just what a job I’ve done – not on my own, it’s been a team effort with a handful of colleagues too, and they deserve to feel just as proud as I do looking back over the school year.
All of this too is before I think about the academic side of their progress as well, but they go hand in hand.
I will admit that I’ve needed this forthcoming holiday for a while, since the Ofsted visit drained me completely and so, very early into the half term, began the final countdown to today; every single second at times has felt like hours within themselves such has it dragged by as well!
Tonight saw the now traditional trip out for end of half term cocktails much enjoyed by myself and Mrs Pitts. A cachea was found on the way home too to continue our streak which we hope will eclipse our previous best of 50 days in a row. There’s a long way to go before we approach that, however.
