Approaching summer holidays and closing of the first overseas chapter… by Kay on 15 April 2025 Posted in Teaching Where does the time go? As we get closer to the end of the school year and that well-earned summer break, I sit with my coffee on the terrace on a sunny Sunday morning. Tomorrow will be the last week of the year. As I sit and reflect, I can’t fathom where the time has Read More
A new kind of playground duty expectation! by Kay on 15 March 2025 Posted in Teaching Playground duty in Spain… Before I came to work in Spain, I worked in a fairly large school consisting of two playgrounds. During playtimes there were roughly 180-240 on each of the two playgrounds, as it was a two-form entry school. And, on each playground, there would be 5-6 adults on duty. However, in Spain, Read More
A staff meeting and a half!! by Kay on 6 March 2025 Posted in Teaching Monthly staff meeting… Once a month we were required, in our contracts, to work until 7 pm. Sometimes this was allocated time in our classes updating displays, marking, preparing resources or meetings within our teaching teams. Other times there were specific things the management team wanted to discuss and inform us about. So it was Read More
Spanish head’s non-communicative organisation on a Monday morning! by Kay on 3 March 2025 Posted in Teaching Last full week before the holidays… It’s Monday morning and the last full week before the Christmas holidays. So I was feeling quite upbeat as I start the morning with my year 2s. We do the usual routine of taking the register and discussing their weekends. Then I explain what’s in store for them today Read More
When Spanish head went a#se over t#t! by Kay on 23 February 2025 Posted in Teaching It’s nice just to be left to get on with it! More often than not I usually get left alone to get on with teaching my classes without being disturbed. Or ‘spied’ on as we were in my last school. Back in England, there was a time before I left when we were told to Read More
Spanish parents’ meetings… by Kay on 20 February 2025 Posted in Teaching A different arrangement… One thing that wasn’t really discussed in much detail during my interview was how the parents’ meetings were arranged. Given that there are two teachers and two classes. I remember asking the question, and the English head dismissing it. Saying that it was something that the two teachers arranged together and delivered Read More
Journey home entertainment, educacion infantil style! by Kay on 18 February 2025 Posted in Teaching Homeward bound! There are several children from across the school that also get the same bus back as me. Including some infantil (or early years) children. There is an adult specifically employed to supervise them. Like a chaperone I guess. And, the poor woman certainly earns her salary, as they are all lively and loud! Read More
Questionable managerial tactics! by Kay on 16 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Oh, but a Spanish birthday is just the best for a teacher! Another week completed. The Autumn term certainly is in full swing! I am looking forward to learning about some of the different festivals (or fiestas I should say) in this region throughout the year and celebrating them in school with various activities with the Read More
Bashful beginnings! by Kay on 7 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Dodgy cubicle doors… As well as the whole ‘settling in and getting used to routines’ of a new job there’s also the little teething problems. Having to push yourself out of your comfort zone when you’re figuring it all out! For instance, other colleagues will help you out (and all have been welcoming and great!) and Read More
Well, I think I survived my first week! by Kay on 5 January 2025 Posted in Teaching Friday night… Here I am on Friday night. The end of my first full week in my new job, and I am exhausted. But, not quite enough to turn down a well-deserved beer or two with my new colleagues! Changeover… So, reflecting on my first week. It is still very much early days of course! However, I Read More
