We had a very, very busy three weeks at school. Ofsted visited us Wednesday and Thursday – and if you know what an inspection in a school is like, well, then I don’t have to say more. Sleeping at 4am and staying at school till 10pm. I’m knackered and SO glad it is half term the same time. About an Ofsted inspection-visit at schools in the UK [my third Ofsted], I can write a 699-page best-seller. But for now, I need quiet time and my soul needs a rest! I’ve played and sung enough piano tunes/songs the past week to make other people happy and to get the ‘right ticks’ in all the tick boxes! -like we say, ‘dance to the tune..’ and in Afrikaans: na hul pype dans/ hand om die blaas -embracing them.
I am…
Chessalee 
Do they know about the Y5 blogs website you set up.
I think its amazing what you have done. So much effort for your students.
hi Awmyth, no, they surely don’t know about it. Nobody will inform them/show them. If they come to you, they’re glued to a chair for 10-15 min, then walk this way/that way and leave your class room after 15-20 min. So, in 15 min you are ‘defined’ as a teacher by Ofsted!
They also don’t know about the International Link I have – my colleague in South Korea [South African teacher – and blogreader too]. They don’t know about the ICT-Blog-club, the Chess club and that 12 of my Y5’s from last year entered Y6 with a level FIVE in Literacy! [confirmed by the Assistant Headteacher/my colleague of Y6] and many other things. [National Average for Y5 to MUST have by the end of Y5 is Level 3A] Levels go up from…… 3C, 3B, 3A, 4C, 4B, 4A, 5C etc.
I hate Billy Joel. LOL. Just sayin’
Your problem, LOL. Just saying š – I like this song of him, btw. I like songs where there is a story to tell.
Just looking at the Y5 blog tells me how much time and effort you put in for the sake of your students. Now i also know how much else you have done for them and achieved.
But the system is such work never gets the recognition. And even if it does, someone higher in line of management takes the glory.
It does sometimes seems so disheartening, but then you read about a common seagull and you realise that there is satisfaction in what one achieves.
You wrote in the other post, “Give your best when you can. Do your best in life. Strife for the best.” To which I would like to add, “and to hell with the criticisms and the consequences”.
“Heaven is in being perfect” – Chiang the Elder Gull
hi Awmyth, my belief is – you don’t do something unless it’s the best you can do. From my Y5-class blog, you will see that I [try] do give my best. Children’s education has always been put first in my [and my family’s] life. Maybe I do too much, but I know it’s for them I’m doing it. They benefit from it and that is what counts to me. I’m def not a ‘made’ teacher, after all these years of teaching, I can def say that. Teaching is a calling to me and my students are important, I can’t let them down for anything. If that happens, I will let myself down too. I won’t be able to live with it. I’m busy working with God’s children.
Hoop jy rus lekker! š
Dankie, Boer, ek doen beslis, dankie. Maar, soos altyd is daar allerlei skoolgoed wat gedoen moet word, anders bly jy nie voor nie, maar hierdie eerste paar dae gee ek myself af. š Net die wete jy KAN sit en niks doen.