First day of the new chapter…

by Kay on 13 December 2024

Posted in Spain

Can’t sleep…

It’s Tuesday night, tomorrow will be the first day of term, and as per usual, like most term starts, I can’t sleep! But this time it’s obviously different. After eight years in the same job, the unknowing of what to expect in the morning is freaking me out! I have had no comments or notes about the children that are going to be in my class. Maybe that’s not a bad thing in some ways, but I like to have an idea of what to expect. Normally in England, I would have conversations with the previous teacher, and depending on certain little individuals, quite lengthy conversations! I would see them on the playground and in the corridor and know or at least have an idea of their personalities and quirky little ways! And at least have an idea of what was in store come September! But, this time I don’t have a clue and it is quite unsettling. My stomach is clenching and tightening and it is so hot and muggy! I am worrying and stressing as always, even though I have had time on Monday and Tuesday to organise and prepare myself. I am pretty much ready for the morning. I keep telling myself. I have the resources I want to use ready. To help me feel more prepared and organised the head had texted me directions to the nearest school bus stop from my new apartment. Here we can use the school’s transport, which is a bonus. At least I don’t have to fork out for transport each week!

*Stationary prep. Name labelled ready for their pencil cases*.

Not another bus palaver!

I’m up and ready early! I’m not sure how much sleep I actually managed to get in the end, but hey!

I make my way to the bus stop following the directions the head had texted me only two days before. I am early, but I don’t worry – yet. I wait to see children in their uniforms and a Spanish colleague, who is also supposed to be catching the bus at this stop. I wait another ten minutes but don’t see anyone in school uniform, or my Spanish colleague. Surely she would be here by now? I start stressing as I do! There are about five minutes before the bus is supposedly due and there’s no children in sight. I swiftly come to the conclusion that this is the wrong stop and I need to get the other public bus that runs past the school pronto! But it is the best part of a mile away and I have less than twenty minutes to get the one that isn’t going to make me really late! By now I’m all flustered and stressed as I begin power walking to the next bus weaning my way in and out of the rapidly crowded streets with other commuters. At the same time, I am attempting to text the head to let her know that I may be late and that the stop she told me to wait at can’t be the right one! Either that or I can’t read a text or follow basic directions for toffee!

As I get round the corner of the cathedral the bus is there, phew!! I jump on (remembering to swipe my card this time!) and sit down as my phone begins to ring – it’s the head! She doesn’t understand why I didn’t manage to get the school bus, but the one she is getting hasn’t turned up yet either, and there are children waiting with her! Hmmm, Ok, maybe it’s just the first day and getting back into routines or miscommunication somewhere with the bus company! It is already hot, even before 9 and after that hike, I am dripping in sweat all down my back – urg. Just how I wanted to greet my new students I’m sure!

*Filling my cupboard with teacher essentials!*

Day 1 of achieving the dream commences…

I make it to school and the playground is swarming with parents and children in their new blue uniforms. The other bus the head was on isn’t here yet. I go up the stairs to my classroom. After the mad dash for the bus this morning my heart is pounding and I’m so flustered. I get into my classroom and the majority of my students are sitting chatting loudly amongst themselves. Presumably about their summer holidays as they are all chatting in Spanish.

This is already so very different to teaching in England! As I walk across the room there is silence – if only that bit had lasted all day! I have to be ready to ‘pick up and go’ with the day because of getting the school bus in the morning. And when I take the class down to the buses and parents in the afternoon it is also my home time! This bit will need some getting used to for me. I was always in at least an hour or so before school started (like most UK teachers) to prepare in the morning. I’m not going to lie though, I quite like the extra few minutes in bed in the morning and not taking any work home with me. It would just be impossible to take all those books on the bus! I really don’t know how my colleagues back home without their own transport did it! So there are some pros to working abroad already! All books stay in the school building at all times! Luckily, lunchtimes are longer which is when we can get some planning, prep and marking done throughout the week.

*I am also my own TA, hence the uneven, dodgy displays!*

I begin by introducing myself and taking the register. There are a few sniggers from individuals (possibly the ones I am going to have to keep a closer eye on!) but I put it down to my foreign accent and the way I am pronouncing their names!

I had prepared a ‘My new class’ template for the children to complete. Something quick to put on the walls straight away, as some parents’ meetings take place a couple of weeks into the term (I’m not entirely sure how this works yet!). And, I can also get an idea of their level of English and understanding. Part of the sheet requires the children to draw and colour. They are obviously in the routine with their previous teacher of getting up and going over to the table where all the stationery is. This is fine, as they are quite sensible about it, but it is marbled flooring and there are twenty-five children with brand new shoes! That along with the scraping of their chairs across the floor when they get up and sit down, again times twenty-five! They seem to quite like this new sound they have discovered and it’s not long until it starts a little chorus amongst them and I have to step in and regain some sort of decorum! I can’t be doing with that noise! But, it is a sound that unfortunately I will possibly have to get used to, even if it is unbearable to the ears. To me, it feels a bit like nails down a blackboard type of effect, but times twenty-five!

Not a bad start in the end…

At the end of the day, I take the class down to the buses, remembering to take my bag as I am also going home! And after chatting with the receptionist at lunchtime I discovered that this September the bus routes have been changed, and so have the stops and times!

But, on reflection, overall, not too bad of a first day. I am beginning to learn their quirky little ways already and feel more confident that I will get the correct bus in the morning! Oh well, there’s always going to be some mishaps to begin with!!

Bye, bye Blighty!

by Kay on 19 November 2024

Posted in Spain

Last day of term…

So, here I am. The last day of term. Sitting in the assembly hall as my name is being called by the head to stand at the front for everyone to say goodbye. I have butterflies and am trembling as I make my onto the stage to join the head. Frankly, I’d rather stay sitting at the side than be the centre of attention! The head recalls memories from when I first started at the school, that I’ll be missed etc.

Then I’m presented with flowers as the head says quietly ‘I’m always welcome back if Spain doesn’t work out’ which, I find quite a surprising comment. But also good to know that I have something to fall back on maybe I guess! However, my initial thought as those ‘reassuring’ words were spoken was ‘It will work out thanks!’ I thank him for the flowers and make my off the stage. For the next few seconds, my thoughts turn to concentrating on getting down the stage steps without stumbling and making myself look a total numpty!

A seed of doubt…

It does, however, put a seed of slight doubt in my mind. And I find myself doubting and pondering why I’m doing this. Bored of my current situation in so many different ways and feeling as though I had lost my way in the classroom. I knew it was time for a change and to move on. Despite this, I am completely terrified and wondering what the hell I have let myself in for….perhaps the naysayers are right? You have a house and a good job…why would you give that all up?? Why am I doing this indeed?! Why would I want to leave a job I have been in for years to meet new people, learn a new language, and broaden my experiences?! As I begin to make my moving plans… putting the furniture into storage…renting my house to god knows who….packing my life up…the stress, hassle and endless ‘to do’ lists that I am so annoyingly known for.

Maybe it’s not too late to change my mind at this point. Perhaps I could retract my resignation. The head seemed keen for me to stay! I quickly shake those thoughts of doubt off. I know this is the right decision for me. I have wanted to do this for so long…researched…dreamed…and envied others who were brave and adventurous to go and do it before me. So I know I’m doing the right thing for me.

A fairly chilled Summer…

Before the ‘big move’ I’d spent the past few weeks clearing out my classroom cupboard and telling my class stories of my new school and how it will be different to England. Despite all this, it still doesn’t feel real, that I am actually leaving and moving on. Or, that I am now finally doing what I have wanted to do for years. I am, however, sad to be going after being in the same school for so long.

I’ve spent the holidays catching up with friends and family. Reminiscing and laughing about old times – things I’d forgotten about, and with some stories for good reason!! (As it usually involves some of my mishaps I’d rather forget!!). It’s been really lovely seeing everyone and spending time with them – especially those I don’t get to meet up with very often these days. It felt like a proper summer holiday. One of those from childhood where the summer holidays seemed to last forever. So I’ve had this feeling during those weeks like I have time and that Spain and a new job were all a long way off. I just had summer to be carefree and have fun! Apart from having to sort out all the boring stuff of boxing the house up, estate agents, selling the car, etc. But now, all of that has closed in and come to an end. As I head out the door for the last time with my impossibly heavy suitcase ready to begin a fresh, new chapter of new beginnings. I should be feeling hopeful and excited, and I do. But I can’t help feeling apprehensive at the same time. Questioning what I’m doing and why once more. For now, I just remind myself that I have wanted to work abroad for years and I have finally achieved that. But at this very moment, I just feel tired frankly, which always makes me grumpy! Especially at airports. And especially when someone stops dead in front of you and starts frantically fumbling around for their ticket or passport thinking they’ve managed to lose it in that split second. Mumbling to themselves ‘Where is it?’ and are totally oblivious to anyone else around them! Stansted somehow seems busier than I expected given that it is the end of Summer now. Interestingly, there are lots of families with young children talking about their holiday in the South of France, or wherever. I think to myself that there will be a lot of ‘A’ marks in the register the first week of term as British schools are due back in just a few days – but enough of teacher mode for now!

Attempting to learn the lingo!

During the Summer holidays, I also spent some time learning some Spanish in preparation for my move, as I am at a pretty basic level! So far I can say hello (hola). And ask for a glass of white wine (un vaso de vino blanco por favor). Getting my priorities right it would seem to those who know me, but not very helpful in the classroom when I need to know a basic level of Spanish!

So, I joined an exchange site, where I have met some lovely, interesting people who are mainly Spanish, two from South America and one person from India who is living in Spain to study. All of whom are keen to learn English and travel. And it was a way of making new connections and possibly friends before I moved over there myself.

However, the majority of our online conversations appear to be in English at the moment. I’m not sure if this is me being lazy or a lack of confidence in my abilities!! I have downloaded various recommended apps, including Learn Babbel and keep my Oxford Spanish dictionary close to hand! Although, I have to admit, Google Translate appears to be my best friend of late! I’m hoping that once I’m living there and naturally surrounded by the language it will come more naturally to me. I live in hope anyhow! But, I think it’s safe to say that it’s going to be quite awkward and humorous trying to mix with the locals!

I’ve arrived!

My journey was ok. I arrive at the hotel early evening after being dropped off by a taxi driver. Who, I can only describe as being an extra in The Sweeney! No wonder my hair was such a mess as I take a glance in the hotel lobby mirror! I have quite a nice view from my hotel room, with the sound of the bells from the cathedral. The weather is gloriously sunny, but it is muggy and humid. Even though it’s Spain, the heat is almost unbearable considering it is later into the evening now. Somehow though, I think I will happily adapt to it! As I sit looking out at the view and listening to people chatting and laughing as they walk by. I find myself starting to ponder again, questioning what and why! So, I decide to go out and have a stroll around the city. I have an ice- cream. There are lots of tourists (other Spaniards who have come to visit the cathedral mainly) taking photos and enjoying the sunshine. Their children playing in the water fountains. The city feels like a happy place. I think I will adapt to it and the lifestyle. But, I wish already that I had dedicated more time to learning the language a bit more!

A memento from my works leaving do!