First Days of School

I started at Musselburgh Grammer School (MSG) on Thursday. The first two days were institute days so I had some time to get to know my new colleagues. There are two departments in my office, history and geography had one PT (principal teacher) and modern studies (gov't) and moral studies have another PT. Brian, who is my mentor is the PT for the second department. The history group has three teachers including myself. After fourteen years of teaching it is a little unsettling to feel like the new guy. All the forms, requirements, grading, schedules are all new, however that is what this experience is all about, shaking things up a little. I will see the students first thing on Monday bright and early, I am both a little nervous and excited. About half of our office (both departments) went to Edinburgh on Friday night after school. They are all VERY nice and it was fun to learn more about them and let them get to know us. We went to a great italian restaurant and then they walk us around the downtown part of the city. It is still crowded because of the festival. After getting up a little late on Saturday, we went back downtown ( we are getting really good at riding the buses, we like the double deckers) to the Edinburgh Book Festival which is part of the larger festival. Sean Connery presented his new book, but we missed him by two days. A lot of authors from around the world come and present their new books and they have an overwhelming book store with thousand of great books. I restrained myself for now and did not buy any, but I wanted to. We then walk all over the city looking at local places for good fish and chips, which we have not had yet and found a great little place. It was right on a street they have already named for me :) After watching some more of the fringe festival street shows we headed back to the bus and saw this guy. This might not be that weird except look at this picture I took in Seville back in June. HE IS FOLLOWING ME! Wishme luck on Monday. (PS I am inserting pictures into the blog now, because if you click on them you can see a larger version)

Cheers.