Autumn term, completed it




By Louise Hall

So… Where do I begin! Hello all, and welcome to the first term of my PGCE. It has been a whirlwind autumn term; though I must admit I've been plagued with illness throughout. So much so, a fellow student teacher gifted me vitamins, I guess that is what friends are for. I had an eventful first term, I started at university with 3 two-hour lectures, Monday to Friday, then moved on to SE1A and SE1B which are the first and second instalments of School Experience 1 placement. It has taken me a while to readjust to the amount of reading, the reading list sometimes feels endless, but worthwhile in the end. 

 

I wanted this blog to be honest, and with that in mind, the course has tested my confidence; it reminded me of a time when I had none. No belief in my academic ability, and was told to ‘learn to spell’, but throughout all of that I had the work ethic to keep going. Once again, I feel my own worth reflected on my own academic ability. I need to remind myself that I’m more than my ability to spell, because I am. I am worth so much more; my faith restores when I’m in front of my Y2 class inspiring them to love learning and teaching them new and exciting things. I remember that I am worthy and that I don’t have to be perfect. Who has perfect spelling anyway? I don’t expect perfection from these little humans, so why do I expect it from myself… a million-dollar question! Even though I've tested my confidence, the one thing that hasn’t wavered is my love for teaching. I can hardly contain my excitement to teach, even on the days when I am terrified of teaching phonics and whether I get the sounds right, I know I’m giving them my best and in the end that’s all I can do. 

 

I’ve had some fantastic highlights of my first term, I have been on my first placement and have had the pleasure of visiting a variety of schools to hear their passion for what they do. I have been placed in a year 2 class in Camden, the community spirit of the school is intoxicating, and all you can do is smile. Joy fills the corridors and is within every person who steps into its community. I have been blessed to observe the fantastic teaching that takes place and learned so much that I can develop into my own teaching practice. 

 

When it became my turn to take the spotlight and inspire and engage my Y2 class. I decided the first lesson to teach to the whole class would be about Jamaican history and geography with a focus on a key historical figure. So, I choose Mary Seacole, before I continue I must point out my own connection to Seacole. When I was in Year 3, my class teacher Miss Robinson was teaching us about history and for the first time I saw someone who looked like me. On the whiteboard was Mary Seacole, to this day every time I think, discuss, or see artwork about Mary Seacole, it takes me back to 7-8 year-old Louise, who felt seen, who felt heard for the first time in an education who had erased and colonised so much of my own history. 

 

So back on track, it felt fitting Mary Seacole is how I should open my teaching career. The lesson itself went well, slightly overran my timings … but all valuable things to learn. I asked my class to write letters to Mary Seacole, one of my favourite questions was what was her favourite fruit and how old are you? I have had the pleasure of teaching a variety of topics including lessons on key historical figures Ruby bridges and Amy Johnston. 

 

There have been so many highlights of this autumn term including practising for the Christmas play, there is nothing quite like seeing a hall of beaming grown-ups and children giving the performance of the year. Nothing like being so proud of each of the children, who sang every line, danced every beat and smiled like stars. It made me more festive than usual, I put it down to painting the props and Christmas baubles for the show. At the start of the placement, I invested in a hand puppet called Muffin ‘The Learning Monster’, as a tool to engage children in learning. Much to my surprise, despite the puppet being hideous neon stripped green, orange, and yellow, the children took to him immediately. They loved him so much that during this week whilst I’ve been back at university one of the pupils had brought in a bed she had made for Muffin and has taken it open herself to look after the puppet until my return. Moments like this make me scream out I can’t wait to be a primary school teacher and have my own class. 

 

As I write this, I am filled with excitement to return to my placement for the last instalment of time at this school. I’m sad to leave the school and move on to another, as I feel intertwined within the school's fabric. I have had a brilliant first placement, and the joy, the class and the staff will always be etched into the fabric of my teaching practice forevermore. 

 

Farewell, and happy holidays from 

 

  Louise (Teacher to be) 

 

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