So, there goes the end of the 2008/09 academic year. And what a year it’s been. Since September 2008 I’ve graduated, started and finished my PGCE and started my first ever full-time job. And I’m loving it! I’ll be the first to admit it’s been really tough, especially my time at School 2, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

The last week of term at Penguin High included many trips, including one to London Zoo and one to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I have experienced yet again the joys of taking pupils on public transport, walking for more than five minutes and deciding which Happy Meal to get. However, I am still sceptical about the educational value of school trips. But the teachers I was with told me these trips were purely “rewards trips” so I wasn’t too fussed about what they learnt!

I am still worried about settling in to the Science department at Penguin High, though. Starting there early (i.e. before September) has meant that I have met the person I am ultimately there to replace. And what a character he is. On the plus side, there’ll now be a female in the physics theory department (something which is rare in most London schools) but I can see why some members of the department have not warmed to me. The guy I’m replacing had been at Penguin High for seven years and was the life and soul of the department. He was also the best friend of the person who’s going to be my mentor from September. This is going to be tough…