Back to school: 5 moments I can’t wait to enjoy again

Going back to school is strange this year but PE teacher Niall Statham can’t wait to experience these magical teaching moments again
24th August 2020, 11:45am

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Back to school: 5 moments I can’t wait to enjoy again

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/back-school-5-moments-i-cant-wait-enjoy-again
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With the return to school now only days away in the UAE, I’m beyond excited about the prospect of delivering face-to-face lessons again.

After weeks of rearranging chairs and desks in silent classrooms in preparation for opening, I can’t help but smile at the thought of them being filled with noise again.

Despite more years behind me than I care to mention, I can recall vividly the names and faces of so many of the children who have been part of my teaching journey.

Attached to many of them is a fond memory of the time they swam their first full length or performed a once seemingly impossible skill after hours of toil and perseverance.

Those moments are just not the same online, and it wasn’t far into our 14 weeks of online learning that I started to realise just how much I missed them.

As I continue to not only fondly reminisce, but look forward in hope, here are five of the moments I can’t wait to experience again, in real-time.

1. Morning Sir, Morning Miss

In my opinion, the best duty in the school is being on the front gate in the morning.

During online learning, we quickly found ourselves confined to a small group at a time and the ability to connect with the whole community daily was lost. It served as a reminder that greeting students and families as they arrive is a vital part of our school culture.

Standing outside or at the doors with a smile goes a long way towards reminding people that they are welcome here, and they belong. Although for now, the warm smile will be behind a mask, so a cheerful wave will have to suffice.

2. What are we doing today, Sir?

I love that moment when I’m standing outside and welcoming students to the lesson and as the words “good morning” have barely left my lips, I’m almost bombarded with a chorus of “What are we doing today?” or even better, “Remember last lesson? You promised that we could…”

Those interactions are so precious and the eagerness to learn and engage with the content has started in the most organic way.

I find myself wondering if I have underestimated just how powerful being able to interact with students this way is and how wonderfully it can set the right tone for the lesson.

It certainly beats “Come in with your microphones muted”!

3. Can we practise at break?

It’s always a proud teacher moment when students have reached a level of engagement where they are motived to improve beyond the confines of the timetabled lesson.

As head of PE, I’ve missed the daily breaktime knock on the door from the Year 10 basketball team who want to work on their shooting, and the small but committed group of Year 5 girls who are determined to improve their netball at lunch.

Invariably, I find myself drifting out of the office to work with them, regardless of what I had scheduled at the time. You can’t beat teaching someone who is hungry to learn.

4. I did it/we did it!

Tony Hawk tweeted a video a few weeks back that captured this perfectly - it shows a young girl in Ukraine who perfectly landed her first kickflip and is immediately overcome with pride, literally jumping for joy.

One of the few positive effects of these scary times is the increased interest in skateboarding. It’s been uplifting to see so many learning to skate in their “downtime.” I believe they’re in pursuit of the same feeling this Ukrainian girl got when she landed her first kickflip. pic.twitter.com/PSD5cLw31y

- Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) August 4, 2020

There’s something incredibly special about being in a position where you can share in those moments with students face-to-face. What makes it even better is that after the struggle of learning and perfecting it, they beckon you over to show you.

The pride and self-esteem that follows from the praise we give them sometimes makes it seem almost as if they are growing in front of you.

5. Are you coming to watch us, Sir?

Good schools thrive because of their ethos and culture, and part of that is supporting students outside the classroom. It’s a really touching moment when a student asks you to come and watch their match or performance.

When I’m out of my comfort zone and I’ve asked for support, I really appreciate it when it’s there.

When they ask us to come and watch them, it’s not just because they are proud of what they are about to do, it’s that you matter to them and they want you to share in it.

Sometimes in a busy week where a few of the spinning plates have dropped already, it can feel like the last thing you need. However, I’ve never regretted going to watch a match.

 

As a school, we are now coming together to put the final preparations in place for the return of our children.

Yes, we are anxious. Yes, we are unsure about the unknowns that might face us. Yes, things will be different. But most of all, yes, it will be a great day when we all come together again.

I can’t wait.

Niall Statham is head of physical education and a member of the SLT at Hartland International School in Dubai

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