Rough

Back to school was no walk in the park. Brebner, it soon turns out, is in a league of its own, and it's a big school, with over a thousand students. The staff contingent alone is at least 30 individuals...some fresh faced and some fairly withered looking. Overall, an engaging group.

Mr Taylor, the principal, introduced me shortly after welcoming everyone. He seems a fair and straightforward guy. Michelle was on hand to offer some guidance, and I also met Elbe, another Michelle, Johan (hockey coach and part time ceramics maker).

But the real stars are the students. There are a lot of kids in each class. Two kids that struck a chord were May and Cindy, from Manila and Taipei respectively. A kid called Brian referred to himself as Mr. Brian $%%#*$$ on his test paper. He told me his ambition was to become the president. After Zuma's antics, and more circus acts to follow, I'd give Brian a good shot at being South Africa's number one guy.

It's odd to be called 'Sir' after being called 'Nick Teacher' for 4 years. One thing that hasn't changed is that most students have unpronouncable and unmemorisable names.

It was my job today to take attendance and to hand out test papers. I tried to get to know them over the mayhem of fetching desks and their still fresh-from-the-holidays exuberance. Almost all the kids got below 50% in their end of term exams, and I told them I thought the standards were unacceptably low.
I was told a teacher would be with me in class for the first two days, but no one was with me for the first few minutes or any other time. I'm not complaining. I endured pretty shaky organisation in South Korea more often than I care to remember. I'm also being moved out (I'm in Mr. Harris' English class, who, despite being utterly devoted to his students, is now working in Saudi Arabia) to the Economics department. Kind've happy about that...

After school today any thoughts of going to gym (to swim) completely evaporated. In fairness, sleep deprivation made the day a lot longer and harder than it would otherwise have been.
At 14:30 I went to the hostel to take a peek at my new abode. A fairly humble setup, and unfurnished. Well, that's okay. I'll fill it with a few tasteful, but humble furnishings and accoutrements. I have a nice view from the second storey, which is a bonus. There are three prison style beds in one of the rooms which will probably have to go.

A friend called me to ask how my day went and she wasn't surprised when I said I felt a bit shattered and defeated. Depressed is another word. It's not going to be easy, it's a rigorous job just keeping the students in line (have I mentioned they're rowdy), but it's useful practical experience which may mean getting a PGCE next year will be a mere formality (since I'll already have some months of practical experience).

On the bright side I am being paid to stay at the hostel, and it's close to gym and a few friends in the area. This term is also really short, just 10 weeks, with plenty of long weekends, so it's a fairly easy start. I think part of the challenge is just becoming familiar with a new process, a new pattern, and integrating hundreds of new personalities into the mainframe. It's going to an interesting test of endurance and resolve, personal discipline and fortitude. Now balance becomes crucial as work starts to gnaw at the heart of vital energies. Exercise is going to be an important conduit towards stress relief, health and sanity.

I'll try to get to the pool tomorrow...to heal newly formed scar tissue in the brain and smooth out the rough emotional patches. Breathe. Stretch. Swim. Smooth again...