I survived my first week!

A lot has happened in the past week and a half since I last posted.

Some highlights:
- Moved into my new house and LOVING IT
- Started the school year and got to meet the lovely 26 seven year olds that I will be spending the year with
- Had adventures in London with Jessica and Rihana
- Getting to know the amazing & supportive staff I have around me at the school.

I will start with my house... I am so in love. It is only a five minute walk to my school which I appreciate every morning when I don't have to get up as early! It also provides flexibility when I leave the school at the end of the day.. I am not tied down by a bus schedule. Here are some pictures!

It is the perfect size for me and I already feel very comfortable here.

On Sept 3rd, I started teaching and met my class of year 3s :) They are all so sweet and I was very impressed by their kindness and willing to help. I have 25 children in my class and I know it is going to be a great year. We spent this week having a "Stunning Start" which involved a lot of activites around the theme of Wonderland. We made mini caterpillars, decorated tea cups, worked as a team to create giant flower collages and a giant caterpillar. We went on a scavenger hunt to find out who stole the tarts in Alice in Wonderland. We also spent Friday afternoon watching the film (have to get used to saying film) and had our weekly celebration ceremony in the hall (gym) with the other years. This week we are starting with our English and Maths plan and doing more theme work. 

Decorating my classroom was a lot of work but SO much fun and I am so happy with the outcome. It will continue to look better as we put examples of work up on display. 

Our reading area.

This is the rabbit hole that the children have to crawl through. They love it!

Front of the class.

I am so thankful to be working with a staff who are so kind and supportive, not only professionally but personally as well. The LSA (learning support assistant) in my class is fabulous and we get along great. I have made so many friends on staff already and so thankful that some of them live so close to me! 

Last Saturday, I had such a fun day in London with Jess and Rihana. We went to a wine bar in a cave and then met up with the other Engage teachers at a bar for some drinks. So blessed to share this experience with familiar faces from Winnipeg. 

Decided to take one of these instead of the tube.

I have a lot of exciting trips planned. I'm going to Paris next weekend for the Beyonce and JayZ concert! I leave Friday right after work and am meeting up with two girls I met on my interview trip back in June from Newfoundland. We are flying into Paris from Gatwick and will spend the weekend there! So excited.

I just booked my October holiday to Belgium with Jess! Neither of us really cared where we went to we tried to find the cheapest flights and it led us to Belgium! 

I am missing my friends, family and life back home but have had the opportunity to connect with them via face time and skype. I am already loving my life here and my school. I could see myself staying here for a while (sorry Mom!) 

Lots of love from England xoxo