January Log

So after two weeks of a Christmas break (for which of the most part I was ill with a bug), I was back at Harlesden Primary for a new term. However this term was off to an odd start; since my class had not only lost their support teacher, but for the first two weeks of term their class teacher was away on a placement as well, which meant they had a supply teacher. The thought of a class of about thirty nine to ten year olds who had been out of routine school routine for two weeks, settling back down into routine smoothly under a person who they don’t know and doesn’t know them (having only taught them one afternoon before) was a myth. If you’ve ever had a supply teacher at school, you know the initial situation. The students automatically assume their greater knowledge of the school enables them to take advantage of this new supply teacher. As a result these first two weeks demanded a lot more from me as the classes LSA. I was forced to step up my game on controlling and disciplining the class which allowed me to see how vital my time, knowledge and with relationship with the students were. They knew I had knowledge of what their rules were, and the sanctions that followed if they didn’t follow them. I knew their routine and rewards systems, do’s and don’ts, which the supply teacher to some degree would have rely on to get by and not be led astray by the kids. My knowledge and influence over the class made me feel very responsible, but I support and cooperation was there. It was a relief and funny to see the class straighten out drastically due to someone else’s words on the surprise return of their class teacher to take them to their first swimming lesson.

As it is their year groups turn for swimming this term, each week, we escort the class to Willesden Sports Centre where they have their lesson. The routine is quite a drilling one which consists of the children being whisked away from the playground before the end of lunch to do a quick afternoon registration, before quickly trooping out the school to board the coach or school bus and be on our way. As I do the second shift lunchtime supervision, this means that on that Tuesday I will held to round up my class early to go up to class to register and leave the playground as soon as the bell rings to get my bags and be ready to leave with my class. Initially leaving go register after lunch and then leave was taking too long, and the class were getting to their swimming lesson late, giving them less time, but it has been under adaptation ever since and appears now to be working well! I do miss my fifteen minutes of break after my lunch duty, but the class teacher is forever encouraging me to take it on our return or later, although I never manage or see fit on our return to school to take it. The window to the poolside in the sports centre café proves to be nice, calm break from the fast pace hectic school environment anyway which suffices I suppose.