I’ve had a hectic few months… well, half a year. Looking back I wish I had blogged it, because quite frankly even Hollyoaks is dull compared to what has been going on. Maybe one day I will write a book about this year but for now I will focus on now:

I’m two schools on from when I started this blog and it has been quite an adventure. Change is good, it keeps us fresh. I won’t bore you with chat of my career moves. I will ease myself back into blogging gently, with an incredible story from today:

My 5th years and I are discussing gender stereotyping, particularly in the workplace. We are talking about how women needing maternity leave could place them at a disadvantage when applying for promoted posts due to lack of experience. One girl asks, “who thought up the stupid idea that only women can carry the babies anyway? Men should have to as well.” Warily I suggest that men would struggle since they lack the facility of a womb… at this news Nicole exclaimed, “What?! Men don’t have a womb? What have they got instead?”

It’s a true story. She was genuinely shocked.

It’s a beautiful day: The sun is shining, the sky is clear, there is a warm breeze wafting through my open classroom windows. I have just finished teaching two lovely classes, you know the class of kids who are bright, well mannered but fun to teach at the same time. I am munching an apple and listening to the sound of pupils messing around in the courtyard outside. It is pleasant and yet I cannot help but think that my boyfriend, who holds exactly the same job title as myself (RMPS NQT) is currently getting paid to body board in the Med.

In July it is my school’s activities week… I am going on a cinema trip to watch Shrek 3.

I do not begrudge him this wonderful opportunity, nor do I turn my nose up at my own school trip, I simply wonder at how I find myself in a much less glamourous position than his despite being equally qualified and dedicated to my job.

I have learned however, it is much easier to be content in life when we aren’t comparing ourselves to others. This goes for many things- how we look, where we live, what we drive, our jobs, our hair, what phone we use, what computer we own… does it work for you? Does it do what you need? Does it satisfy you?  Rather than, how does it compare to everyone else?

Good, eh? Also, probably a load of rubbish. Let’s face it I wish I was in the Med just now. Sometimes, the grass really is greener on the other side.

This morning I am having a discussion with a 1st yr class about different types of suffering. They are deciding whether certain events should be classified as moral or natural suffering. Moral suffering was loosely defined as suffering caused by human actions, and natural was suffering caused by the laws of nature, or things that humans can’t control.

We discussed examples such as the tsunami in Asia, Hurricane Katrina and flooding- there was some debate over whether these were natural or moral as some blame could be attributed to Global Warming. “Well done!” I congratulated them, “you are thinking outside the box.” They beamed with pride.

We then came to the example of ‘a burgalar steals a pensioners life savings’. Everyone seemed to be in agreement that this was an example of moral suffering. Just before I moved on I noticed Sam’s hand raised with some uncertainty. I invited Sam to share his ponderings with the class. “Well, I was just thinking, it might be natural.”

Always open to controversy I asked him to try and explain why.

“Eh… well you’d have to be pretty stupid to steal from a pensioner cos they’re not rich, and some people are just born stupid so that’s make it natural.”

Yes Sam, I guess it would. Now that is thinking outside the box.

It’s Thursday morning and the lively 1M1 are sitting before me; we are about to begin a lesson on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, how nice. I have decided to tell them the story as though I was God looking down on earth… Part of my story includes a comment on how much God loves his creation and every person. I go on a little bit about how God is full of love for various characters in the class- even Josh up the back, and Scott who never shuts up…and even me, Miss Henry, yup- God even loves teachers.

Of course I am in danger here of indoctrinating children so I clear any confusion up by saying, “this is what Christians believe, I’m not standing up here saying ‘God loves me so much, aren’t I ace’”….

Immediately little Matthew- always ready to defend his faith- chirps “But he does Miss Henry, he really does”.

Over Easter a friend commented that when she read my blog it didn’t sound like me. I email her almost every day with some story from my classroom experiences and she said that was the real me… Another friend suggested I have my blog more about my stories than my professional ponderings. Upon some thought, I am inclined to agree with them. And so this post marks the beginning of my somewhat less professional blog, the blog which shares with you the hilarious comments and brilliant events which occur in my classroom. I hope you find them as funny I have done.

Also, just for the record, this is not an ‘UNprofessional’ blog, but rather a blog that i probably won’t be including in my CV.

Recently I challenged a pupil who declared that the Christian story of the death of Jesus was rubbish. I suggested that although he may well not believe in Jesus he should maybe try to understand why others do. I tried to explain that I was not interested in changing his mind but simply wanted him to consider being a little more respectful. Furthermore I certainly did not think any less of him for holding these opinions. Nonetheless the pupil was outraged that I should try and teach him about Christianity.

Upon further consideration I have asked myself ‘What do we really mean when we ask a pupil to ‘respect’ the beliefs of others?’ Do we want him to simply be more gentle as he disagrees? Or do we want something more- do we want him to say ‘Yes, that seems fine, although it is not what I believe.’? Why is it not fine for him to declare ‘that is rubbish’ if that is what he really thinks? How can we ask him to respect something he thinks is ‘rubbish’?

Welcome to my blog. I have never had a blog before and I am not sure what sort of things to include on this so I think I will do what I do best: I will tell my stories and maybe share my reactions to them. I love stories, and I love that my job allows so much story telling potential. If people find them helpful- excellent. If people share their own in return- brilliant. And if people only find them entertaining and then move on- that will be fine too. Enjoy :o)