Sunday 28 February 2010

It is 10 days since I updated the BLOG and it has been a very busy period and very rewarding. Today though up until a few minutes ago I have been stuck in the house as last night, while I slept we had a tsunami warning and no my phone was off! I switch it off before I go to sleep as I have had a few very late calls from unknown sources. I'd better go back to leaving it on! I only found the message as I was clearing out my received mail and as I didn't recognize the number I responded and asked who it was, it was another volunteer. So all morning I have been forced to listen to Aussie TV. They had a warning but people were still on the beach!!

Anyway all over now.

Since the last entry I have ran two subject consortia meeting where I have outlined my 'vision" which is that they will work together in subjects from all 8 schools across the Province and that have to put together resources for everyone to use. So far very encouraging as they have set to and planned how they will do this. Both groups went about it in a different way but that's for them to decide. VSO will supply the room and the PCs, printers and materials and provide lunch but they have to do the work not me!

Then also I have had two school visits, the first on my own without Ken. I start with courtesy call on heads and both have been very welcoming and like my plans. Good Shepherd that Ken and I have looked after since we came and where we have seen very little progress have two newlyappointed senior women who have been in the school for a few years and they have grasped the nettle very firmly, quite formidable!! Poor old head, he's a man, hasn't a chance! We agreed I would go back to school the next day to start working on their School learning improvement plan which should have been completed by last year! Between the three of us we planned how to rearrange the staff room to make it into a working environment [OK I did as it is awful, pigs have better space] and loads of other things. So they now have a draft which I typed up for them [yes I did ken as it wouldn't have got done in school]. I then went into the school opposite which I have inherited and I thought it would just be a courtesy call as my predecessor had been very frustrated with them but no the Head asked me to join the assessment team at their meeting the following day. We also discussed their plan and she pointed to the wall behind me where a large piece of paper with posit was. I laughed and said not much use on the wall. So she said she'd sort and the next day I was given it, all written up for ME to TYPE!!! Oh well at least it got done. The assessment meeting went well with me suggestion quite radical changes so then I got asked to attend the HOD meeting to tell them!!!

Tomorrow I go north along the coast road so good job tsunami warning came to nothing as the road follows the coast and most of the time the road is level with the beach!! Ben my primary colleague is coming with me to see if he can get into the Primary schools which he doubts so it's a jolly for him. If I don't get much joy out of either school we're going to try and get a boat to go near Manam Island that is volcanic and erupted in 2004 and the inhabitants are still not able to return. It still smoking and at night has a red glow. Hopefully the weather will be good and clear to take photos. My retirement present camera has been the best thing that I brought here.

So that's the news from me. Ken should be joining me for my last three months then we plan to travel on our way home.

Take care. Look forward to all your news.