South African Distractions

Thank goodness for World Cup 2010. As my GTP Final Assessment approaches (June 23rd, also the date of England v. Slovenia) I am digesting the year I have very nearly completed, evaluating my files and folders and reflecting on how I have developed professionally since September ’09. Or, in short, I am frantically going through folders, checking, double checking QTS Standards and as has been the theme all year, worrying.

Being superstitious about these things means I am unlikely to utter such phrases as “Yeah, I’m gonna pass” or “It’s in the bag”, but in reality I have been told that the progress I have made, my record keeping and my teaching have led me to a position where I am unlikely to fail. However, the doubt always remains that something minor, something unexpected, will rear its head and I am left to wonder what could have been. Just like Chris Waddle or Gareth Southgate.

Which brings me nicely to my welcome distraction. Despite all the worry, all the uncertainty and the sleepless nights, at least I have the World Cup. I write this on the eve of the opening ceremony, and frankly my excitement is at near child-like proportions as I look forward to a feast of football. Thankfully the school is embracing this excitement also. In Mentor time we have been given school-wide resources, including fixture predictions, sweepstakes, research tasks, national anthem contests and of course a football tournament. We are billed as a Community College, and nothing seems to bring about some community spirit than a bit of competition.

I think perhaps it is important to always have a welcome distraction. The life/work balance has often been a theme I have battled with, and only recently have I begun to calm myself about deadlines and workload. Of all challenges maybe this has been the hardest learning curve, mostly because it can affect home life. A box of marking on the dining room table is like an elephant in the room.

My advice to a GTP student next year? Work hard when you’re at work and the rest will take care of itself. Or in the words of a respected colleague: “You work to live, not live to work”.

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