Changes have been aplenty over the course of this year, too many to mention in one blog. You have, diligently and as a team, planned a new course for GCSE, plotted AREs for seven and eight, managed a new school day, seen me much less (lots of changes are good ones)... and more.
However, for me the most important changes are to do with the people. We get used to change as teachers; seeing pupils come and go over a five year period is an emotional and brilliant part of the job. There's always some movement of staff, too, but this seems like a key year.
Firstly, we have some new staff. You, 'old timers', have made our new staff feel incredibly welcome, and have helped them to have a significant impact in the short time they have been here. It's really exciting to look at the team, to look at the experience and skills that have been added. Change is a scary thing, but it also presents great opportunity; this can never be ignored. Permanent revolution might not be the most fashionable of ideas these days, but I think it is under-rated. I think Michael Gove may agree with me on this.
On this note, might I quickly refer you back to this blog from August last year. I wasn't joking then, and I'm not joking now. This is the way to buck the system.
I am massively grateful to both the new staff for the seamless way they have taken on their important roles within the team. Thank you.
Next, we have some leavers. One, temporary, I wish good luck. You will be dying to get back after a year of no sleep and nappies!
Next, a star, or rather a comet, on a vast and eccentric orbit through the galaxy, Nibiru style. Quick, and bright and gone. Although not as deadly as the non-existent planet, ripped from Babylonian mythology, beloved of mad people and me. She is off to take up a mid-level training role with the illuminati, one which has the potential to see her running a mid-sized entity like the UK in a couple of decades. Seriously though, your work has been excellent, you have brought a great deal to the metaphorical table in a short time, and you will be missed. We all look forward to seeing you on Question Time using these two years as proof that you have set foot in the real world. We won't contradict you - it's plenty long enough.
Finally, the stalwart. Quite what it will be like working without you, I do not know. I cannot imagine. Your advice, your listening, your friendship, kindness and empathy over the years has been incredible. The impact you have had on the young pupils you have worked with over the years has been immense and immeasurable - food for thought for those reductive league table, score card making idiots in government. Just seeing the two young men from your class, one your coachee, receive their awards last week proves this. From boys like those, to the Oxbridge bound, every person you have taught has received what they deserve. Personally, beyond the support and friendship you have offered, I take your willingness to learn and develop, even during the later stages of your career, as a behaviour I will try to emulate.
You are a legend, and you will be missed.
Changes. It's like there's this, kind of massive, like, wheel, and it just sort of goes round, and round, and round, and we deal with it. But this is a good time to pause, and reflect, and say thank you, to all of you, for being a wonderful group of people to work with.
This will be the last blog I write on here - there's been a much more useful and relevant one written for the last few weeks, and we hope you will all contribute at different times to this. See you all tomorrow for a long walk. Wear appropriate footwear - I don't want changes due to injury.
