Far and Away

Leaving you another one for tonight @Faith-and-Hope ...

Thank you @Zoe7 ❤️🦋

How are you going Hon? @Faith-and-Hope

A bit wobbly @Zoe7 , but doing okay I think, over all. It helped that I had a bit of a spin out across to the last week, so I have arrived back here already a bit wrung out.

I loved how wonderful your day was, and how, already, a couple of the more troubled kids are responding to you as you feed their self-confidence. Wtg you ❣️

Very much thinking about you and how you are dealing with being over there @Faith-and-Hope - knowing very well it will not be easy for you A bit wobbly is okay - you have a lot to deal with and you are allowed to feel how you do about it all. Here for you when you need Hon but also knowing thatnmay not be often over the weekend. I'll just drop in some more images for you when you can pop in ...and know I am very much thinking about you

Yes I had a really good day. Absolutely loved the way all the kids worked together and helped each other out. It made the day go very quickly and for once I was sorry it had to end - definitely found that passion for the job today and it wasn't just by beautiful 'troubled' kids - it was every single one of them ...really love this class and so happy to be back teaching

I am so happy for you too @Zoe7 . You sound like an amazing teacher, and part of that is about living what you do and putting heart and soul into it ..... so glad that a school and a class came to you. Having worked with some higher needs kids for the first half of the year was probably very good grounding for the classroom work you are doing now ..... not just for you, but for the community (kids, parents, other teachers) to have seen your value and gained trust in that special touch you have. It was only a half-year, but it has provided the familiarity of an “older” teacher who has been there a while, because you were working across year levels, and in relief teaching roles.

I think you are completely right @Faith-and-Hope Being able to 'work into' the school and the job over two terms certainly helped me. That is the way it should have been last year but we know how that worked out It has really helped that I have had so much support too - nice to be in an environment that not only values mental health but actively encourages every employee to maintain a good work - life balance.

One of my boys from the grade 4/5 class had a meltdown last week (the teacher's term not mine) when he was told I wouldn't be working with him this term. This is the same boy who the teacher said to everyone that I was the only relief teacher that could keep him in class. It was only because we had that prior relationship - and I genuinely like the kid. We connected over rugby and it just continued from there.

I actually miss some of the kids I was working with but I still get to see them around the school. Having this class has given me further confidence to know I can still do the job - last year really did put so many doubts in my head. I don't think I have really said that to anyone but it really did affect me. That Principal has a lot to answer for - and I should have put in an official complaint but that is just not me ...her loss anyway.

Onwards and upwards hey Hon

Definitely @Zoe7 ..... shake the dust of that other school off your shoes and try not to give it another thought ❤️

@Faith-and-Hope

Read the other thread Hon Take it one step at a time. Take the time you need for yourself tomorrow afternoon and look after yourself. No doubt it will be a very emotional day for you so reach out to your friends where you know you have a soft place to land. We will of course be here for you too but you have some wonderful close friends there in the west that you can talk to and find comfort in.

Will be very much thinking of you tomorrow and here for you if you need. The priority is you though sweetheart and what you need to do to get through it all.

Thanks @Zoe7 . Have curled up with a bar of chocolate tonight too.