Practicum Complete (almost)
Yesterday was my last teaching day! Just one observation day and a written piece to go and I'll be a teacher.
Walking home yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a student. In Queensland students wear uniforms, are not allowed to leave school grounds once entering and must be present for a head count twice a day (in addition to the role taken during class). When I mentioned that in Canada we can (could?) leave the school grounds for lunch, he asked what they do if students don't come back. I replied that they would be counted truant and treated according to school policy, but that if you miss too many classes you'd probably fail. He laughed when I told him if you don't pass a grade you can be held back in Canada, 'you mean you have to get good grades?' he said. Here it doesn't really matter what your marks are unless you want to continue with a post-secondary education. When I said we didn't have uniforms at school, he asked 'do they have high fences to keep the students in?'. That was kind of a shocking question. He also said 'school is like prison. We Aussies like to be outdoors... that's why we're always asking you if we can go out an play handball during class'.
Although I did feel like a prison guard for the last 7 weeks, the people of St. George have been very kind. One day I was even offered a ride while walking down the highway (there aren't many walking paths in the area).
Jeff
Walking home yesterday I had an interesting conversation with a student. In Queensland students wear uniforms, are not allowed to leave school grounds once entering and must be present for a head count twice a day (in addition to the role taken during class). When I mentioned that in Canada we can (could?) leave the school grounds for lunch, he asked what they do if students don't come back. I replied that they would be counted truant and treated according to school policy, but that if you miss too many classes you'd probably fail. He laughed when I told him if you don't pass a grade you can be held back in Canada, 'you mean you have to get good grades?' he said. Here it doesn't really matter what your marks are unless you want to continue with a post-secondary education. When I said we didn't have uniforms at school, he asked 'do they have high fences to keep the students in?'. That was kind of a shocking question. He also said 'school is like prison. We Aussies like to be outdoors... that's why we're always asking you if we can go out an play handball during class'.
Although I did feel like a prison guard for the last 7 weeks, the people of St. George have been very kind. One day I was even offered a ride while walking down the highway (there aren't many walking paths in the area).
Jeff