Finally, after what seems like an eternity we’re back teaching again. I say teaching, though in all honesty I’m not sure how much maths my pupils learnt today given that the first lesson with each class is usually taken up with what I’d describe as bits and bobs. There’s books to hand out, expectations to set, pupils to find after they’ve inadvertently gone to the wrong classroom. It all adds up and I tend to err on the side of caution with my objectives anyway. I’d rather the work be too easy than too hard in the first lesson because at least then they’ll get used to working in lessons rather than being sat there with their hands pointing at the ceiling. However I must stress that this isn’t an approach I take to every lesson, it’s just better to get things rolling at the start.

Only the year sevens were in first lesson, with other years going to their form rooms for period two. Seeing as my form are now year eight I had an extra free to waste. I wish we could save our frees for the middle of the year. They’re not that significant at the beginning and end.

Notably my form seemed to be noisier than ever, but I may just be suffering a bout of amnesia. It was nice to see them again though. All the girls seemed to have had haircuts, with bobs clearly being the ‘in’ thing. There was also a new girl who I had no idea would be there. Thanks for the warning guys. She’s come from our local rival school so it feels like we’ve dragged her away from the dark side.

My first proper lesson was period three with my now year elevens, as with my form it was nice to see them again. They looked very brown compared to how they’d looked in the English rain last July. Because they’re all fifteen, and probably sixteen in some cases I abandoned my seating plan with them. It seemed a bit contradictory to expect them to behave like young adults but then tell them where they can and can’t sit. This coupled with my renewed determination to be positive meant it was one of the quickest hours I’ve ever spent in the classroom. The pupils seemed to be happy too even though it was a fairly uninspiring lesson. It’s amazing the effect a bit of positivity has. It actually led to suggestion that’ I’d got some ‘summer lovin’ over the holidays.

Sadly this isn’t true.

During the rest of the day I bumped into numerous pupils I’d come across in previous years. I came across some girls I’d taught as year nines last year. They asked if I’d missed them, I of course replied that I had. And in this case it’s actually true. Partly because they’re nice, hard-working children, but also because the last time I saw them they gave me some beer.

Last lesson I met my top set year seven. They seem to be the brothers and sisters of my last year’s year eights. This doesn’t bode well considering all the hassle they gave me but there seems to be some likeable characters in the group. I hope it won’t be a case of history repeating itself.

I’m really glad we’ve got started again. Tomorrow I meet the rest of my new classes, including a low ability year nine group that I’m eying a little warily. Things could get rather interesting.