The first day went really well. It started at my desk in the morning, waiting for the entire faculty meeting at 9:30. I felt very welcomed with all of the teachers and faculty coming my desk to meet me; most were interested in the "gridiron" when they talked to me. I don't know many people referring to football as that, but when you have soccer and Aussie Rules in Australia, the "gridiron" is a good distinctive term. I was pleased to find another "yank" at the school. He has been a teacher at BSC since the seventies and told me that he just never left whenever he arrived down under. From my experiences thus far, I can understand why.
I sat in the back at the faculty meeting which took place in the junior campus library. I was quite surprised when they introduced me in front of the entire faculty. Yea, I was that American in the back. After a long meeting about new policy and the formal introduction of the new principle, I was taken around the campus by one of the science teachers.
He was incredibly helpful, and showed me the ins and outs of the college before taking me to the science center. There, I was given a brief introduction to the Smartboards and some of the other technology. After some helpful tips, he allowed me to mess around for a bit to get a feel for how to use the interactive white boards, which are such an important asset for every classroom of the 21st century. I'm glad that I'll have some fluidity when I use them in front of the students.
Lunch was served soon after in the junior campus teachers lounge, consisting of meat pies, sandwiches, and a lot of gluten free options. That is one thing that I've noticed, many gluten-free options. Many of the restaurants that I've been to here have had a separate menu for people on a gluten-free diet. I'm still unsure if it is due to an increased prevalence of celiac disease or wheat allergies in Australia. There may be other reasons too. You really don't see much of this accommodation in America.
After lunch, it was more meetings for the faculty, including a union meeting and a tutorial for the new computer system. I only attended the tutorial of course, although it would have been interesting to sit in on the other. I then met with my coordinating teacher and went over the schedule for the next few months and talked a strategy for the classes that I would be teaching.
I am currently going to be teaching a grade 11 biology class, a class called "bones", and another called "the animal inside." I will be teaching students from grades 7-11 which will allow me to have a great experience with both middle school and high school students.
I arrived home after school a little after 5 and had a nice steak dinner with potatoes, mixed greens and purple carrots, which turned much of the dinner purple as well. Seemed like an unusual vegetable. Dinner finished and I decided to go on a ride on the "push bike" up the street and back to clear my mind prior to writing in my blog and a few emails before bed.
I'm currently watching a 20/20 cricket match between India and Australia. Since I know the rules now, I will spare you a few pages and just say that Australia is doing well! Australians love their sport! This is a great way to wind down the day and kick the feet up! How 'bout a Victoria Bitter to go
I sat in the back at the faculty meeting which took place in the junior campus library. I was quite surprised when they introduced me in front of the entire faculty. Yea, I was that American in the back. After a long meeting about new policy and the formal introduction of the new principle, I was taken around the campus by one of the science teachers.
He was incredibly helpful, and showed me the ins and outs of the college before taking me to the science center. There, I was given a brief introduction to the Smartboards and some of the other technology. After some helpful tips, he allowed me to mess around for a bit to get a feel for how to use the interactive white boards, which are such an important asset for every classroom of the 21st century. I'm glad that I'll have some fluidity when I use them in front of the students.
Lunch was served soon after in the junior campus teachers lounge, consisting of meat pies, sandwiches, and a lot of gluten free options. That is one thing that I've noticed, many gluten-free options. Many of the restaurants that I've been to here have had a separate menu for people on a gluten-free diet. I'm still unsure if it is due to an increased prevalence of celiac disease or wheat allergies in Australia. There may be other reasons too. You really don't see much of this accommodation in America.
After lunch, it was more meetings for the faculty, including a union meeting and a tutorial for the new computer system. I only attended the tutorial of course, although it would have been interesting to sit in on the other. I then met with my coordinating teacher and went over the schedule for the next few months and talked a strategy for the classes that I would be teaching.
I am currently going to be teaching a grade 11 biology class, a class called "bones", and another called "the animal inside." I will be teaching students from grades 7-11 which will allow me to have a great experience with both middle school and high school students.
I arrived home after school a little after 5 and had a nice steak dinner with potatoes, mixed greens and purple carrots, which turned much of the dinner purple as well. Seemed like an unusual vegetable. Dinner finished and I decided to go on a ride on the "push bike" up the street and back to clear my mind prior to writing in my blog and a few emails before bed.
I'm currently watching a 20/20 cricket match between India and Australia. Since I know the rules now, I will spare you a few pages and just say that Australia is doing well! Australians love their sport! This is a great way to wind down the day and kick the feet up! How 'bout a Victoria Bitter to go
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