Patience

Well I haven’t written for a while. I have been busy getting my new office ready (Teacher Resource Centre) It has now become my job to manage the resource centre, even though we have a Resource Centre Manager. I came down last week and it was obvious that the centre has not been opened up for months if not years. I opened up the doors and I could taste the dust, the books were covered in a mountain of dust and I could write my name on the table. I commissioned a team of cleaners to help me make a start on the cleaning and make the place habitable. It only took us a week, lots of old tatty resources were thrown out and burnt and all the books wiped and filed into subject order. We found a whole Ginn 360 reading scheme (a blast from the past) which is what I learnt to read with at primary school over 25 years ago ! !

I managed to get 3 computers provided by the local councillor to put into the Resource Centre so that we can have classes come in and use them when they have ICT on the timetable. As I have mentioned previously most children have never seen a computer let alone touched one. I had mentioned to the Director that I could also set up some sessions for the office staff to come and learn how to use the computer and begin some basic skills. She was very keen and assured me she would love to come down, I was also hounded by a number of staff to let them know when they could come and start their lessons . . . . . I put up a timetable and made myself available, rearranged school visits and I sat and I sat and I sat, only one member of staff at the office actually came in, used the computer and asked for help. No sign of the Director or any of the officers who had signed up.

This week I have opened up the gates and made a timetable for JHS classes to come down and use the computers during their ICT lessons. The three local JHS schools have all brought students down and taught ICT which is a real breakthrough for Nadowli, seeing the excitement and sense of achievement of each student is amazing. After a few attempts I think we have finally got a timetable sorted and every class has a slot. I’m still in the process of encouraging Primary schools to bring in P6 classes  ! !

 I have continued to work in schools these past few weeks, doing training on phonics and reading strategies, hope to follow up on some lessons in schools over the next few weeks.