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I haven’t posted on here in sooooooo long. 

Prepare for an update!

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First Week Round Up!

My oh my what a week!

I said I was going to update this blog as soon as I arrived in England but honestly it’s all been so hectic!

I arrived last Friday and it’s all been complete go since then.

The house is gorgeous and I get on great with my flatmate. The house is literally 3 minutes walk away from the university which is so handy. We’ve had a full week of lectures and seminars, some of which have been useful, others maybe not so much. I’ve met a few people I’m friendly with. They’re in another group and mine is already full of cliques but I’m trying to make ground in it.

I’m doing a specialist stream of the PGCE which guarantees me placements in Catholic primary schools, which I got to see this week. 

My first placement is next week in a Year 2 class which I am thrilled about and my second one is in a composite Year 3/4 class which again, I’m happy with for my KS2 placement. My third one I will hopefully arrange to do in a school back home in N Ireland, fingers crossed again for a KS1 placement. 

I went shopping today for placement clothes. Cost an absolute fortune in Primark (yes, shocking to me I know) and only a few of the things I bought I actually like. I hate my body at the moment so I am hoping to lose a few stone by the end of the course and build that confidence and be able to get some nice stuff!

My boyfriend is coming over for a few days next week and I’ve also booked my flights home for Hallowe’en so that’s something to look forward to!

This Wednesday I go into my Year 2 class for the first time!

Wish me luck!!!

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So today's the day

I am moving to England to start teacher training!!

My flight is at 14:10 so I'll try and write about my journey later on after I arrive.

I have to carry 3 heavy suitcases on my own across and then down another country lol.

Wish me luck!!!!

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Children copy their parents, friends, and teachers. They will develop the habits of the people around them. So if you want your child to be honest, peaceful and happy you should be that way first.

Baba Hari Dass

(via spiritualgateway)

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Today I said goodbye to my grá.

It was my birthday on Sunday so my boyfriend came up and spoiled me completely. He was so sweet but today I had to say goodbye to him before leaving for the PGCE on Friday.

Oh my goodness it was heartbreaking. I'm going to better myself for him as well as me but it was terrible saying goodbye. I got that awful knot in my throat.

Knowing today was the last time I'll see him for potentially 7 weeks was incredibly hard, I don't know how people do it.

This all has to be worth it. I still have all of my packing to do and no suitable work clothes. It's going to be a busy week!

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It is a week today until I move to England!!

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Two weeks today!!

I'll be moving!!!

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The weather outside is awful so today is a stay cosy and read textbooks with tea type of day

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adventure

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Question

I know everything in moderation, but how much make up do you wear in the classroom? Is red lipstick acceptable? Recently I've been doing a neutral eye with bright lips and I'm loving it. Similarly, is nail polish allowed?!

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Does anyone have any essential reading suggestions?

I know I have a pre-course reading list; but I’m interested in what other people think are must reads!! 

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My friend has decided to do a Masters this September and I'm so happy for her. She's been in the same situation as me for the last few years not happy with how things have turned out since we graduated in 2015 so it's nice for things to work out for her too. She's just waiting back to hear if she got into the Food and Nutrition course but I'm so confident she will. It'll be nice to have someone going through the same thing at the same time so we can rant and support each other. And my boyfriend is going back into education too in September so it's great for all of us. Been trying to get into doing some pre-course reading but it is so dull!

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PGCE advice

Here’s some advice for anyone starting their training in September. 1. Be proactive - don’t wait to be told to do something, just do it. 2. Observe teachers outside of your subject, you’ll see new ways of teaching that you can use in your own lessons. 3. Try to stay 2 weeks ahead with planning so that when you do feel exhausted or have plans you won’t feel guilty or need to stay up until 1am. 4. Find a quiet place to work or you’ll end up wasting your PPA time and cut into ‘home’ time. 5. Have a cut-off time where you stop working, or allocate a ‘working day’ at the weekend. A regular bedtime is great too. 6. Arrive early and beat the printer queue. 7. Remember to have fun - you’re going to spend up to 30h a week in a school, enjoy yourself. 8. Take lunch, unless your school has tasty food. Hunger can impact your mind and body in amazing ways. 9. Scan uni notes for easy access and have pleasure in throwing away paper notes when you complete your course. 10. Look for jobs early and thoroughly. Not all schools can afford TES so check their websites. There will be an increase in vacancies around November, January, April and June. Don’t be afraid of the Independent sector either! 11. Wider reading and networking. Subject knowledge has the potential to be a strong asset that students really appreciate. Make sure you know your spec. Inside out! Networking is a great way of meeting teachers in your field and sharing ideas. 12. Pretty and expensive stationary won’t make you a better teacher.

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I couldn’t mention Rocky without sharing a few photos!! Isn’t he adorable?!

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Fears for the coming year

So as it's getting so so close to the start of September I thought I could write a little bit on what I'm most apprehensive about this year. - Masters level work. I'm afraid I won't be good enough to complete essays at this standard and that it'll effect my ability to successfully pass the course. - Teaching standard. I am so petrified of not being a good enough teacher. I know I am patient, kind and friendly enough to relate to children but those qualities don't equal 'outstanding' teaching standards. What if I don't fully understand a maths or english concept, and can't properly explain it? At the end of the day, this is a serious job. It affects the lives of children who deserve nothing but the best education they can get. - Time management. People keep telling me about how busy I'll be this year, I'm worried about juggling everything and not coping or producing my best work. - Missing my friends, family, dog and boyfriend. I know this one will get me right at the very start as I'll be very sad to leave home again, especially leaving him. I know our relationship is super solid so I'm not worried at all about us ending but I know I'm going to miss him like mad, and I hope that doesn't affect my school and university work or the ability to make friends during the first few weeks as I'll be a mopy git lol. I'll also miss Rocky (not really my dog, my boyfriend's, but I love him like he's mine),like crazy. He's 16, schnoodle-spaniel cross and the cutest dog you've met in your life. He's old now and it's scary to think about what can happen in a year. - Behaviour management. This is the big one I think. I'm a little bit of a soft touch and find it difficult being taken seriously when being stern. It's such a massive thing though: no child can learn effectively if the class isn't under control. - English schools. I've never been in one before. I'm nervous about a culture shock and a difference in ethos from schools at home. - Clashing teaching styles with my placement tutor/teacher and being marked down for it. I've heard of it happening quite a lot actually. I'll be conscious when the teacher's watching me it'll be their class I'm teaching, not mine and if they'll be sitting thinking what I'm doing is wrong. I need to overcome this one. - Finances. This is going to be a very tight year. I'm hoping to be able to afford everything I need. Worried about not buying smart enough clothes or all the resources I'd like to use simply because I can't afford it. Wow, what a lot lol. Reading it back I think I really need to improve my confidence in myself. Have you any fears or recommendations for the year ahead?