Reflection 8: One more week to go :(

This week I completed the rest of the themes that were required for knowledge strand 3 for the third term for both grade 9 and grade 10. There were no more lessons left and one could see how learners became restless. I realised that giving assessments also aided in doing revision on the work, especially since most of the marks were bad for the class tests and practical tests in both subjects. Some learners are complaining about doing the work over and over however there is no other way, thus I put my foot down and just did revision. I believe that one could never have to much revision as it will will help in the future tests and exam.

My mentor is the grade head of the grade 8 learners and this week she was very busy with parents and the discipline of the grade 8s. Thus we had to step in and supervise her classes. I'm still shocked to see how the juniors of the school especially the grade 8s behave. Some of them have no respect what so ever for their elders (teachers and older grades) nor their parents. Then you get parents who do not want to hear any bad reports concerning their children and blame whatever the child does on the school.

I have learnt that when faced with such parents as described above, one should stay calm and not indulge in harmful confrontations. Do not take sides, just state the facts with the accompanying evidence. There are also parents that thought of their children as angels and are utterly shocked and speechless when called to school to fetch their children because they broke the rules. Also, what was interesting to observe was the reason behind some learners misbehaviour. Some have problems at home and then get sucked into peer pressure and find it hard to get out of it as they have no one to talk to.
I must applaud the school staff on how they manage illegal substance on the school. The Learners are expelled from school for a certain period depending on the nature of the offense and sent for counselling as well as rehab. They may only return when they are clean, this applies for any illegal substances including tobacco. Learners are also tested for illegal substances regularly. We also found out that it is a group of senior boys that sell or give the junior learners these substances.

Next week is our last week and I must admit that I will be sad to leave!