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 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
Hour of need, or just another gormless ‘me’ moment? by Kay on 25 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Homesick… Sadly, my time at home for the Christmas break had come to an end. My flight was at 7:15 pm. After the long 3-month term, I had no idea just how homesick I had been and how much I’d missed home. I guess the whole moving overseas and starting a new job had kept 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
Spanish bank experience, and why I can never return! by Kay on 7 February 2025 Posted in Life abroad Needing to transfer money home… On starting my new job, I needed to set up a Spanish bank account in order to receive my salary. Well, the school HR team set it up on my behalf! During the first week, a member of HR made the appointment at the local branch and then accompanied me Read More
It’s all still very much a work in progress… by Kay on 26 January 2025 Posted in Life abroad Coffee and lingo… Saturday morning and I have arranged to meet up with one of my language exchange friends for coffee. She has very good English as a result of many years of language exchange with English visitors and teachers who have come and gone again. She has been attempting to help me with my Spanish 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
