HALF TERM!

Finally the day has come!!! We are on half term break and I feel so relaxed already! I have already had such a wonderful break so far and its only been the weekend!

On Friday, all the teachers packed up fairly early! As opposed to the 6:30 that we usually leave school. Three of us went back to my place and cooked a good meal ! We also went to see Gone Girl, which was kind of creepy. It was nice to go to the movies!

This weekend I wanted to make sure to get some odds and ends done and finish my marking before going on holiday. I started to mark books on Saturday morning and cleaned my house. This was interrupted with better plans of going into town for lunch and shopping!! My partner teacher invited me over for dinner at her place Saturday with her and her husband. It was so nice and I feel so welcome! We had a lovely meal and wine and I spent the night. This morning she took me to Wisley Garden,  A Royal Horticulture Garden that was absolutely beautiful... I want to see it in the Spring! We had cappuccinos and carrot cake and then she dropped me back home. I feel really blessed to have met some amazing people.

Today has flown by, I've had so much to do! I needed to finish marking books, do laundry, skype with family and friends and pack for Belgium! Its so hard deciding what to bring but I am slowly working on it! I plan to have an early night tonight as I have a busy week ahead of me! I am meeting up with Jess at 11 at the airport and then we are off to Belgium!!!!! So excited to spend a week with one of my closest friends.... many adventures to be had! I hope the hostel we booked is decent and that its a good location! My next post will be filled with pictures and stories of Belgium I am sure!!!!

xoxoxo

Mini Weekend Vacay!

This was a nice weekend...as opposed to the last few. The past few weekends I worked all day, every day. It was a nice reward after the loooooong week I had.

It was parents evening at school this past week, Tuesday and Thursday night. I would say they were pretty successful, with parents saying how much progress their child has made and how happy they are to come to school now. I need to keep those positive thoughts in my head because that's really what it is all about. Work is extremely busy but only one more weekend left until break in BELGIUM!

This weekend I went to Brighton. Friday night I just relaxed in order to be ready for a 9 am train trip to Brighton. I went with Josh, another teacher from my school. Brighton is on the South coast and it was SO nice to be by the ocean. I want to live there next for sure. We got on the wrong train- I think... because it shouldn't have taken us 4 hours to get there but it did. I think because we missed the announcement saying to get off and bus the rest of the way. But we made it!! We had lunch, beer and wine at a little fish and chips shack right on the beach first. Then we walked down on the pier and through the mini amusement park on the pier. Surrounding the edge of the pier are blue and white striped deck chairs where you can just sit and relax. We must have sat there for an hour just relaxing, watching the ocean and chatting. It was so nice to get away from Camberley and not talk about school. As we were walking off the pier, we saw two people decide to jump.. not a smart idea. It is very high up with a strong current. Anyways, they made it back to shore but got in trouble!

We kept walking down the beach because I wanted to buy a cute picture of Brighton for my apartment... no luck but that's okay! I will just have to go back :) We then went to a bar on the beach and I discovered a new favourite British drink- Pimms. After a drink their we wandered away from shore to the Wetherspoons pub- the chain of pubs around England. We had a few more drinks and dinner and caught a 9 pm train back to Camberley. First we had to go on a double decker bus on the motorway which was kind of scary. And then three trains and finally back to Camberley at midnight. It was a long day but SO nice to explore and be by the sea.

So lovely

The Brighton Wheel.

Our view.

So pretty.

Bar on the beach. 

Two more weeks!!

Half term is ALMOST here! I am so excited for a much needed break!

The past two weeks at school have been insane. I arrive at school at 7, stay till 6:30 and then work some more. Last night I worked straight from 7 pm to 1 am and then all day again today and tomorrow! Assessment is due on Tuesday and we have parent teacher conferences this week! Lots to do and not enough time! Teaching is England is way more paperwork than in Canada. It is stressful, but seeing my class and friendly staff every day makes it worth it!

I have spent the past two weekends in Camberley and it has been so nice. I have been buying things for my house (microwave, freezer, etc.) and some clothes! I hope to go somewhere next weekend, or atleast have a night off with some of my work friends!

I am getting a new student this week... who doesn't speak any English! I am starting to feel more settled now that I have a permanent teaching partner until Christmas. It helps that we can plan our maths, English and topic work together! She is very experienced and is very kind.

Every day my class is becoming less and less shy! A big change from the first day where they were so quiet! Their personalities are starting to show and they keep me laughing all day... as well as frustrated! They mean well and are so eager to learn, I am very lucky!

Apparently when people say Canadians pronounce "about" "aboot" because every time I say about, comments are made! We also say "house" differently as well. Apparently I am getting better though and am starting to loose a bit of my Canadian accent. While face timing with my parents, one of my fellow teachers was over and said that when my mom said "about" was way stronger! I always thought people were exaggerating but I guess not! I am becoming immune to the accents mostly, especially after hearing my name being said a thousand times a day from my kiddos.

Not much else to report on... other than i'm basically a workaholic and loving it almost always!

The count down to Belgium with my best friend in on... can't wait!!

A typical Sunday...

Sundays are always used for lesson planning. All day. And the time always goes by extremely fast!! It is already 2 pm and I have SO much to do before another week with the kiddios begins tomorrow. I was going to go in to town and do some shopping today, but I don't think I will have time!! I need to finish planning, laundry, cleaning my house and getting some groceries from the local Co-op!

The weekend went by WAY to fast. Friday night, I went out to dinner with another teacher from school to a new restaurant in Camberley called Bills. It was so good!! Then we went to a pub for a bit but were both so exhausted from the week we decided to call it a night.

Saturday morning I went to London to meet up with Jess! We went to the Tower of London and explored in their for over an hour! So much history. Finally, I was able to see the poppy exhibit for the anniversay of the World War. There are almost 1 million ceramic poppies around the outside of the tower. It was amazing and so so pretty. You can buy the poppies for 25 pounds and they send them to you after the exhibit stops. I am not going to buy one but it did look really cool.

Then, we went to buy tickets for a theatre show... we decided on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We then explored around Covent Garden where all the shops were. Then, naturally we found ourselves looking for a wine bar for dinner. We didn't go to an actual wine bar but we did find a nice restaurant with tapas style plates. We shared a few and split a bottle of wine. So good to spend time with a close friend from home! Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was SUCH a good choice! We both really enjoyed it. After the show we parted ways to different train stations and made our way home.

Pretty much everyday I have been face timing somebody from back home and it is so wonderful. If ever I feel homesick I can just pick up the phone and somebody is always there. The time change makes it a bit tricky but last night I was able to face time three people because I was home so late! Anyways I have too much work to continue this post. Until next time :)

Caterpillars and Butterflies

This has been a calmer week at school. No special visitors and no more open house days! We had a lot of fun last Friday and all of the children loved the teachers costumes. We are continuing to work on settling in to routines and I am so lucky to have such a lovely class. Since we are learning all about the life cycle of butterflies/caterpillars, which fits perfectly in to our theme, one of the children brought in a caterpillar today! He is big and green and we named it Ash, since we are Ash Class!! The children and I both think it is so interesting, and it looks as though he is starting to turn into a Chrysalis! It was an exciting day in Year 3 and the children will be so excited to see him tomorrow.

This week, I have been spending 12 hours at school everyday and coming straight home to plan some more. It is a lot of work but I love it! And it is keeping me busy so I don't get as homesick. A fellow teacher and I went to Tesco last night (like a SuperStore) and we bought some clothes and candy and crackers! Tomorrow is curry night- obviously.

On Saturday I am going in to London with Jess and her roommate. We are going to the Tower of London and then to see a play at night!

It is so crazy that next week is October ! Where has the time gone. I have started wearing boots to school this week as it is starting to get chilly in the morning. For the most part though the weather is beautiful and I couldn't ask for better weather! It has been sunny and only rained briefly today.

Time flies when you're having fun!!

It is SO crazy to think that exactly one month ago I left Canada for my new adventure.

I could not be happier here. Everything (so far!) has been absolutely amazing and I am so thankful for my wonderful students, staff and new friends I have made.

Some highlights: For the past two Wednesdays, a LSA at my school has invited a fellow teacher and I over for dinner and wine at her place. I have met her whole family and they are so welcoming. She has dinners/events every Wednesday and I am so happy she invites me. It is so much fun that we don't even realize the time and I find myself leaving around 10... which is late for a teacher!!!

Thursday curry night is my favourite thing. Ever. 4 pounds for a huge curry meal and a cider.

Last weekend, I went to Paris with two lovely ladies I met back in June at the interviews. We went to see the Beyonce and Jay Z concert!!!! We flew out of London Friday after work and arrived late to Paris. After a 1:30 am Wine and cheese run, we made it back to our hotel around 3:30 and planned to wake up early to sight see the next day. We actually did end up waking up early and explored Paris. We went to the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysees. We had lunch at a restaurant with a view straight to the Eiffel Tower... .it was expensive but so worth it. After filling up on macaroons, we went to get ready for the concert. It was AMAZING and there was 75 000 people there! On Sunday, we did some more exploring and then it was time to fly home. It was a whirlwind weekend but so much fun!!

This week at school has been INSANE. I feel like I am constantly playing catch up. It is an exciting week so far with lots of visitors from the trust and various head teachers. Tomorrow is the "re-opening" of our school as part of the trust. In the afternoon, parents are invited to come into classrooms and participate in activites with their children. Then we have an assembly where the mayor will speak as well as our headteacher. Then as a surprise, students have been working so hard practicing a song to sing to their parents. And as a surprise to the students, all staff are dressing up based on their theme. With mine being Wonderland, I am definitely going as Alice!! They also don't know that every staff and student is being given a balloon and we are all releasing them in the back field at the same time. It will be an exciting day in our school! Media will be covering the event, so I will post a link if I can find an article.

I just can't get over how well everything is going over here. I am settled in and loving my new life. I miss my friends and family but luckily my little ones at school keep me busy and keep me smiling and laughing all day! :)

Best Macaroons Ever.

At the concert!!!

Soooo many people. 

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