Honey I'm Home!

Today was Leanne's first day back. The students all behaved remarkably well for me. Perhaps because she was in the room. I appreciate her no nonsense approach as I think many other teachers could benefit from that attitude when working with this population of students. I was a bit flustered though because there are so many different projects going on and when she noted that I should set a goal for the end of class, which I normally would do, I was a little taken aback just because it has been so disorganized these past few weeks and I just thought that's how they role. So I thought I was adapting to the laid back attitude of teaching, but apparently she has a plan in mind. She also walked me through the curriculum for Year 7 and 8 and I was just a little confused on the scope and sequence. Year 7 is doing a complex, multi-step ceramic sculpture, and Year 8 was going to do a slab candy bar. I didn't understand how that was progressing from one year to the next, so I am going to push for the slab cakes as it is a little more complex and focuses on a skill they should develop from Year 7.

Earlier this morning though, I helped with a short excursion for Year 10 Geography. They walked from the old sewage treatment center to the beach access point and down Tallow beach, marking evidence of human activity and attempts to regulate human activity in the environment. It was quite fascinating and a beautiful day for a walk! I got to talk to some teachers I hadn't met as well. Carlo from Italy and Stuart from England. I'm noticing Australia is incredibly diverse and almost anyone who has moved here is because they fell in love with an Aussie man or woman. It's not the case for everyone, but I keep seeing the pattern. Even Helen moved from Sweden for an Aussie man! But it was a great experience!

In the afternoon, there was a convocation to recognize the 100 year anniversary of WWI. Australia celebrates Remembrance Day in honor of the 65,000 soldiers who died. They are very proud of their contributions and contribution to the greater good. It's a very big event for them.

I am realizing that they do a "Welcome to Country" for any and every "formal" event, recognizing the land belongs to the Aboriginals that once lived there. During the excursion, Stuart even said how guilty he feels being of English origin and the impact their colonization had on the Aboriginals. We compared and contrasted how the US and Australia has done to reconcile and recognize the damage done to the lands native peoples. I think Australia is making a much more cognizant effort to recognize the Aboriginals while there is still work to be done in America.