The First Day of School Jitters

View from Mt Lofty while on a weekend walk

Burnside Park

Everything has been going smoothly for me. The biggest concerns have been a few wrong turns in the city (I have not gone into the oncoming traffic but possibly would have if Debbie, my white knuckled passenger/Drivers’ Education instructor, hadn't stopped me in my tracks). On the other hand other exchange teachers have had some ominous experiences. Michele, who is around Brisbane, has experienced extreme winds and major flooding. She doubts many students will be able to get to school for the opening week. The water in her town rose from three to seven meters of flooding overnight. I understand that it got above 9 meters.Then there is the story of Debbie and Andy in Tasmania (my traveling buddies). Fires were circling the island while they were out visiting. One fire took a dangerous turn, as Coloradans know all too well can happen, and 1,000 residents and tourists were turned around on the one road in that part of the island. Arriving back in Hobart, the crowds calmly waited for a ferry to transport them to the mainland. Almost 24 hours later (some finally slept at the dock in the dirt) they loaded a ferry. Fortunately, the worst of it for them was the great need to wash clothes which smelled campfire-like. Many others lost their homes.

Galahs on the Cricket Field

On a lighter note,I feel as if I may have offended some of my new friends (I may be known to put my foot in my mouth a time or two) when claiming that I will never try a meat pie again. I retract my comment, and I will give it a go later, as opportunity arises… sometime at a. . .  distant date.

I do feel lucky to have landed this exchange. I really couldn't have asked for a nicer situation. The only worry is that each day I am more comfortable in my surroundings and may begin to  let my senses become numb to everything new, or begin to take things for granted. I must keep my eyes and ears wide open. The sights are breathtaking. 

Galahs leaving the cricket field

I met my class and after a day with my "New Arrivals" I am in love with their innocence. To listen to the children try to express themselves, to give them wait time and finally have students find the word they were searching for, to have them take my hand and lead me to the source of their question with eyes as their only means of communication, or to have them parrot back a phrase in their new language is just beautiful. Most everyone in the country uses the word beautiful a lot, but I am not using it lightly. The tuckers make me smile over and over. I know it is only the very first days, but my love for teaching has been totally revived. 

Some of Pam's new class on the first morning

Our Classroom of 2/3 opens to the year 3/4 class.  The teacher Kate
has be the best help ever imagined. Watch out Gardner School
I may become Smart with the Smart Board!

First Day of School on the side of the main building. Our block
 of buildings is separate from the main building
 and to get to media today we ran through
puddles and splashes from the morning rain.

I have one 6 year old, many seven year olds, many 8 year olds and soon to be nine. There are to be 16 students with, at least 10 various cultures. They are from China, India, Syria, Belgium, Mexico, Portugal, Thailand and Korea They are all coming with different levels of English, which makes for an interesting day. It is amazing to see such a successful program for the children new to English. 

Pam with Deb, the principal, and a first day year 3 very happy
new student- the first that I had the pleasure of meeting.  Today
in class he kindly said at lunch, "Pam, come sit, we visit!"
and then proceeded to scoot a chair for me!

All the teachers were asked to bring flowers and palm leaves  to line the walk as we bridged the receptions through year sevens to the new school year! Other teachers supplied colored sand to brightly decorate the walk.This is a pretty special school with the most amazing art by children. I raved about it to the "fine arts person" for quite awhile until I got a really funny look. She was finally reintroduced as the finance person. I have at least one of “those” misunderstood language moments daily. But, soon, I will probably have an Australian accent myself. I can already hear myself getting rather singsong like. 

School kids at home all know "Stop, Drop, and Roll", but here the jingle is: Slip, Slop, Slap, Slide

 Slip: a long sleeved shirt

 Slop: sunblock 30 or better

 Slap: wide brimmed hat

 Slide: sun glasses

You don't forget to grab your hat at outdoor play time!

I just wanted to get a few school photos up, but tune in soon for the next installment perhaps to be called: Eyes Wide Open.   xx0 pl

Lodging on Mt Lofty, where I began an afternoon trek on
the track

Correction pointed out by various AU readers:

Tucker- food, not child

Tacker- a child or an adorable animal ie: the little penguins

New glossary:

Track- trail

Like chalk and cheese- opposites

Chalkies- teachers

Making- creating arts or crafts
jimmy-jams- pajamas