It is no fun teaching recalcitrant kids in the fag end of a term. I know that in the UK teachers are enjoying their second blissful day of holiday freedom which comes courtesy of half term – but we, on the shores of the Med are plodding wearily on as the term slimes its way to some sort of conclusion at the end of the month.
The equivalent of the second year sixth has now completed its course and today the first year sixth finished its last lesson. The equivalent of Years 7 to 11 have a series of examinations both internal and external.
This afternoon the older kids sat their oral examination and tomorrow the younger kids are in line to be done. By the end of the week all the external oral examinations should be complete, then the internal examinations start. There will be, I think, at least one more interminable and incomprehensible meeting of all the staff and then a free for all of group work based on a topic which changes yearly and we will finally be in that relatively blissful area of the term where the kids will have gone.
No one seems to know exactly how many teaching days we have left, but as we finish on the 30th of this month and we have a few weekends before then the maths are beginning to look distinctly in favour of the teaching staff.
Which is more than can be said for our salaries! It turns out that the Generalitat has already decided that all teachers are going to be subject to the reduction of 5% in their wages as our government’s belated (sorry, woefully belated) vicious response to the so-called financial crisis.
Because of chicanery that leaves me breathless, the government is actually putting money into our extremely expensive private institution. My wages, for example are partly paid by the Generalitat. There are other colleagues whose wages are similarly paid and these monies will be subject to a reduction. Some colleagues have their wages wholly paid for by the foundation which runs the school.
At present the management is considering options and deciding what, if anything, to do. Any reduction in wages should be accompanied by an explanation of how and why any monies are going to be taken. It is a complex situation and one which can only be appreciated if the full financial details are made known. That, in itself, will be fascinating. I have learned that nothing in this country is straightforward, so I do not expect some simple explanation, or indeed any explanation which makes clear sense. I see fun and games ahead.
On the staff front there has been, and continues to be virtually no discussion about what might happen to our money. I am astonished at the lack of staff concern which apparently is the response to a situation which is unparalleled in my experience: both the situation and the response!
Now, you would think, is the time for any normal professional to bethink themselves of the protection which a union might afford. But nothing. No discussion. No action. No concern. Amazing. In Britain we would be building up to World War III – but here, nothing. At least in my school nothing.
If management behaves as it always does then nothing will be finalized until well into the holidays and then when we come back in the autumn term we are presented with a fait accompli! Perhaps this school is the place to prove me wrong. Or not. Again.
I have had an assurance from the IT teacher that he will provide me with a written list of reason why NOT to buy an i-pad. This is a kind gesture, but I fear that it may prove to be insufficient to resist the visibly weakening opposition in the face of the publicity machine that is Apple!
Thursday I am going to meet someone who wants to have English conversation lessons. As he is connected with the artistic life of Barcelona it may be a mutually beneficial arrangement. If nothing else it will be an interesting meeting, if the practicalities of going to Barcelona get in the way.
Meanwhile I am counting the days before release and possible reduction.
The equivalent of the second year sixth has now completed its course and today the first year sixth finished its last lesson. The equivalent of Years 7 to 11 have a series of examinations both internal and external.
This afternoon the older kids sat their oral examination and tomorrow the younger kids are in line to be done. By the end of the week all the external oral examinations should be complete, then the internal examinations start. There will be, I think, at least one more interminable and incomprehensible meeting of all the staff and then a free for all of group work based on a topic which changes yearly and we will finally be in that relatively blissful area of the term where the kids will have gone.
No one seems to know exactly how many teaching days we have left, but as we finish on the 30th of this month and we have a few weekends before then the maths are beginning to look distinctly in favour of the teaching staff.
Which is more than can be said for our salaries! It turns out that the Generalitat has already decided that all teachers are going to be subject to the reduction of 5% in their wages as our government’s belated (sorry, woefully belated) vicious response to the so-called financial crisis.
Because of chicanery that leaves me breathless, the government is actually putting money into our extremely expensive private institution. My wages, for example are partly paid by the Generalitat. There are other colleagues whose wages are similarly paid and these monies will be subject to a reduction. Some colleagues have their wages wholly paid for by the foundation which runs the school.
At present the management is considering options and deciding what, if anything, to do. Any reduction in wages should be accompanied by an explanation of how and why any monies are going to be taken. It is a complex situation and one which can only be appreciated if the full financial details are made known. That, in itself, will be fascinating. I have learned that nothing in this country is straightforward, so I do not expect some simple explanation, or indeed any explanation which makes clear sense. I see fun and games ahead.
On the staff front there has been, and continues to be virtually no discussion about what might happen to our money. I am astonished at the lack of staff concern which apparently is the response to a situation which is unparalleled in my experience: both the situation and the response!
Now, you would think, is the time for any normal professional to bethink themselves of the protection which a union might afford. But nothing. No discussion. No action. No concern. Amazing. In Britain we would be building up to World War III – but here, nothing. At least in my school nothing.
If management behaves as it always does then nothing will be finalized until well into the holidays and then when we come back in the autumn term we are presented with a fait accompli! Perhaps this school is the place to prove me wrong. Or not. Again.
I have had an assurance from the IT teacher that he will provide me with a written list of reason why NOT to buy an i-pad. This is a kind gesture, but I fear that it may prove to be insufficient to resist the visibly weakening opposition in the face of the publicity machine that is Apple!
Thursday I am going to meet someone who wants to have English conversation lessons. As he is connected with the artistic life of Barcelona it may be a mutually beneficial arrangement. If nothing else it will be an interesting meeting, if the practicalities of going to Barcelona get in the way.
Meanwhile I am counting the days before release and possible reduction.
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