Leavers – James D'Souza

At first I was afraid… (Saying Goodbye to the Class of 2014)

Sung at the Leavers’ Do, 2014, to the tune of ‘I Will Survive’ The names have been changed to protect the guilty. Enjoy! —- At first I was afraid I was petrified That … would never get His work in on time But there were so many nights Where … got the questions wrong … ContinueContinue reading “At first I was afraid… (Saying Goodbye to the Class of 2014)”

Class of 2012: Home Truths

Tonight – Touch The Sky Each year another set of Year 13 students steps beyond the castle walls and escapes to university to begin Life After School. Each year group likes to think that they will be remembered fondly in teachers hearts and minds. Truthfully, year groups have a tendency to blur into one another.ContinueContinue reading “Class of 2012: Home Truths”

Class of 2011: Onwards and Upwards

The staff room floor… Teachers always approach the last day of school for a group of Year 13 students with a certain amount of trepidation. Traditionally, it’s viewed as the Annual Day of Practical Jokes. This year, their last day coincided with the day of the Leavers’ Boat Party where the Leavers of Our SchoolContinueContinue reading “Class of 2011: Onwards and Upwards”

The Journey

I had to write about them really.The main reason is that their journey has been my journey too.I remember when I first started teaching. The lessons I prepared. The lessons that were observed. The mistakes I made. The inappropriate things I said. The inexperienced approach. The struggles. The trials.So it was for them too.They wereContinueContinue reading “The Journey”

The End

This post is about my wonderful group of Year 11sI said goodbye to them on Wednesday last week.As a teacher, however cynical people may get, I do harbour a soft spot for everyone I teach. I’m not sure if that’s just me. I hope other teachers do. For all the difficult days, I spent aContinueContinue reading “The End”

Every Time We Say Goodbye

Well I suppose it had to come to an end…I mean they grow up so fast right?Alright, so my first proper year 13 offically left last Friday…and I’ve kept meaning to write something on my blog about them (they have this blog address – but whether they’ll be bothered to check it…)The picture was takenContinueContinue reading “Every Time We Say Goodbye”