Hillsmeade!!!

So much to learn and so much to say! I was so nervous and excited on Tuesday morning. I had already met the staff last week at the tea and setting up but I still had the first day jitters on Tuesday...even though it was a PD and prep day for teachers. Seemed to fall into a routine immediately between, morning walk, breakfast and getting dressed in time to drive a  short drive to school by 8. It was a long day filled with so much information...from one activity to the next and a quick lunch. One of the many gatherings were for new teachers.it was refreshing to see so many graduate teachers. I wish it was the same situation for our graduates in Ontario.
Many of the rooms are open concept and teachers work in grade teams. I'm part of the specialist team...phys ed, visual arts, music and performing arts. It was wonderful to collaborate and learn from my wonderful teaching partner, Lisa. She took time to show me around and to teach me how to navigate the school and the processes. Everyone pitched in and offered tips and guidance.
As we learned at our orientation meeting...the two countries' ways are neither right not wrong...just different.
With a full head, I drove home on the right side the road until i saw a car coming at me, thankfully before a round about, and quickly turned back to the left side of  the road.
My fellow staff will be interested in these observations...we should adopt many of these ideas
Kids choose where they sit every day!
On yaahd duutee...you carry a 'bum bag' with bandaids and a restorative justice script aid...cool!
There is a welfare officer/assistant principal who is always available for any issues...she has a welfare dog...for all students to cuddle with..
The rooms are decorated creatively in centres all the way to grade 6...with fabric strung from ceilings.
There are 3 assistant principals who are available for all staff and students, each with a different focus.
20-30 teachers are in the staffroom every lunch and they meet on Fridays after school for a social hour!!! :-)
There is a weekly assembly.
Many staff opt to wear the school uniforms.
There are two staff meetings a week...ok...we don't need to adopt that one.
Beginning of the year, all grade 6's go to camp for culture and bonding.

The first week we helped it the preps 5/6 year old kindies) and did prep work for next week when I'll start teaching all 18 classes for performing arts/drama. My wonderful teaching partner, Lisa took around me to introduce me to my classes starting with grade 6's and working way down.
They were fascinated with fact that we had winter Canada now while it was their summer...they liked my accent and i told them I liked theirs.
It has been a wonderful induction to my  year at Hillsmeade.
I hope I can do 18 drama lessons with the same energy every week!
Normie has been the perfect husband preparing meals. He began working on his children's books, went swimming and exercised.
We are so excited that Lisa and Tyler my beautiful niece and her cute pilot husband are coming Wednesday to Australia for 2 weeks. We plan to do some sightseeing with them!!! :-)
Hope you're all well! Thank you for your updates! Bob started a reciprocal one from Newmarket to Oz!