The new term starts on Monday, it marks a new year at school, but also a new environment for me, I get to move into a new classroom.

The last year the school have been the site of some major building works, and Monday marks the opening of the new Humanities Block. In this block will be a brand new sports hall, 5 English Classrooms, 2 History Rooms, 2 Geography Rooms, 4 Art Rooms, 3 RE rooms, 4 Offices, a workout gymn, and an IT room. I’m pretty excited by this as I get to my own classroom, having been out in a portacabin for the last three years, it also means I will be with the other RE teachers for the first time and we will have our own department office! A new start indeed for our department.

In my new classroom I get to display my favourite Christmas present. Hazel got me a hand crafted wooden plaque of the Last Supper for me to display in the room.
The Last Supper
It is special because each of the disciples are displayed as a cross, and the crosses have symbolism attached to show certain things, for example Peter’s cross being upside down, Doubting Thomas touching Jesus’ side, and Judas seperate from the others and having two coins in it.

The other special Christmas present I got this year was from a student. I usually get a few cards from students, along with the token gesture gifts of chocolates etc… but this year I got give a book, Chicken Soup for the Couple’s Soul, from one student and his family. It was so well thought out and also included a personal inscription from the boy’s mother thanking me for my hard work.

This gift itself reminded me of how lucky I am to be a teacher with such great pupils. I hope to hold that book dear, and remember it when I am snowed under with marking and reports!