David Rogers

I attended the Portsmouth LA NQT welcome meeting during the week. One of the best presentations was given by two secondary school teachers who had just passed induction. In it they gave a survival pack fr the NQT year. Since the talk I've been trying to put together my essential list. In no particular order, here is the list of stuff I couldn't do without: R+R - the mountains, outdoors, mountain bike, beer or just leaving at 5 and not working at home. Sometimes I really need to switch off! And of course good quality single malt. iPhone - only had this device for 2 weeks but it has revolutionised my organisation. I have a photo of my timetable, using the calendar feature and just listening to music when I need to calm down! My own laptop with mobile broadband - no need to worry about blocked sites at work. I can take my lessons anywhere. A reality check - from family, girlfriend and colleagues. Always keep my feet on the ground and give me perspective. Memory stick Good quality ...

Well a lot has happened since my last proper post. Please excuse the last one - a result of showing a colleague how easy it was to post something on a blog - should have demonstrated how to easy it is to post something really useful on a blog! Well, I'm in front of this computer now and it's time to catch up, hopefully tonight I'll give an update of what's been going on over the past couple of weeks and get Day 1 of South Africa published. Anyhow, the fine looking chap above is St David the patron saint of Wales. Being Welsh and sharing his birthday, last Thursday was an interesting day. Not least because my 5 year old niece now thinks I actually am St David! Before that it was to La Rossiere for a skiing trip. The snow and weather where both great, although Year 11 say that the resulting tan looks like it comes from a bottle! Oh well, I suppose I'm worth it. Anyhow - better get back to the task in hand - apologies for few up0dates at the moment this is really due...

Yesterday was Student Performance Review Day at PCS. A long day where, as a tutor, I had to complete 28 15min appointments with each of my tutor group. The day was positive, and many parents seemed to value the target setting process. I was based for the day in a colleagues room. I'm sure you could play a full cricket match in there it was so big! Anyhow, i noticed a quote above the board. I'm sure many have come across this before, but I liked the variation. I will now take the quote and place it above my board. 'There are three types of person in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice'