My teaching space for the next 11 months

I shouldn't say how I feel until I have the next two days under my belt but I have to say I loved the last two days. I met 175 children.It'll be a challenge remembering all their names but I do have the ones I need to know, well memorized. There is at least one per class. Finding a spot soft  for some classes and for some sweeties!
Because,I teach half the school, I'm getting to know many children and teachers quickly! All teachers have been sooo helpful and welcoming...and the staffroom is always busy and filled with laughter.
We already had our two staff meetings this week. Yesterday, it was whole staff with some PD and today each grade grouping. I love my group of specialist teachers.
Some other facts that might of interest to my fellow colleagues back home are....
-Teachers are evaluated annually
- Teachers can apply for extended paid leave for travel....everyone loves to go to 'America' (US)
-the Victoria dept of ed is considering giving salary increase to only 70% of teachers
-each school is autonomous
- the walker approach is used here
-everything is outdoors...large meetings with parents, the community board, the canteen serves both indoors and outdoors, the fountains, and toilets have outdoor entrances ( I must take photos of these)

Duty - duuutie..I was corrected many times ...apparently,I say doooty
- the teacher who had the children last before lunch, supervises them while they eat and sends them out for recess
- at our school each teacher has 2 /25 minute duties

Well...it's the end of the second week ...my first full week of teaching and I taught basically the same introductory lesson all classes except for preps(kindergarten).
I will vary it up for each grade from now on...so that i can stay fresh for the kids....of course for differentiation :-)

I was lucky to learn at least 4 names per class, I am losing my voice from speaking so much.(drama, like French is a performance subject. You have to be on all the time...or 'full on' as they say in Aussie.) I found myself wondering if had already said same thing already....but surprisingly, not as much i thought.

I share an office with two lovely 'sport' (phys ed ) teachers and a cute Huntsman spider. We haven't named him yet.

We are next to the beautiful full size, wooden 'hall' (the gym). The weekly assemblies are held there every Friday afternoon.

Our creative specialist team, had the grade two's drew each one of us for the newsletter. The best sketches were selected. I'm glad they didn't draw the wrinkles.

Off to Urban Camp to Melbourne for three days with the grade 6's to help supervise.
I feel so lucky to have this opportunity.