The last day of school!

 Well it's that time again. Another academic year over. The last day of the school year. A time for reflection, for relief, for yourself. This year has been a hard one for me. My role changed from being the lunch lady to becoming a TA. That changed my life dramatically and I have felt so many differing emotions that I have no idea how I actually feel about the last day. My last day with the children in an educational capacity. I will cease to be "Mrs Oliver" and become "my son's Mum" again.

 I've been working in Reception and in Year 3. Both challenging year groups with very different levels of ability and need requirements. But at the end of it all they are all just kids learning to do something new. Learning what the teachers want to tell them, to read, write, make music, cut and stick. Learn about our planet, about themselves, socialisation skills and that p.e. is their favourite lesson. 

Whether they are 4, 8 or 11 years old all of the kids need a trustworthy adult who will have their back when they are having a bad day. Someone who will listen when they have their story to tell and will give clear direction while they are navigating their way through school. 

I have felt the most confident I have felt in ages having the trust and respect of so.many children but also felt the most useless. When a child is kicking off over something that matters to them but is completely illogical to you, there is little you can do to fix it. Keeping your emotions in check at all times is very hard. Parents winding you up due to their entitlement, selfishness, lack of humility and children flipping out with no logical reason. Kids destroying school property and physically hurting your colleagues then barely getting a slap on the wrist (figuratively). 

Teaching Assistants being asked to reteach those children who test in the lowest 20% rather than the teacher being given extra time for them. Delivering additional emotional support, nursing care, first aid when not trained fully, speech and language therapy which again they have not been trained for, all the while not being given proper time to prepare for all of these things in advance. 

Is the school system broken? Probably. Is it the fault of those working inside it? No. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are just trying to keep up with changing expectations, managing behaviour which is only getting worse. Navigating their own emotional issues while trying to model the best for the children to copy. Not getting paid enough, not being able to rest enough, not being trained enough and not being supported enough. I hope a new government will bring some positive change for my now ex-colleagues sake. 

I will miss the school, the children, my teammates, the purposefulness of the work. But I know it's not for me and so I am signing off from school again. Schools out. 

Until next time 

Xx