Mr Townley's Digital Story!

Blogging my journey from trainee to NQT!

[mrmtownley]

PSKR ESKA Week!

Hi again,

So the time came for our ESKA/PSKR reviews. I couldn’t have been more stressed. Yes, I felt unprepared. Yes, I felt overwhelmed. Yes, I felt like a headless chicken running round trying to collect every note I have ever taken!

So, an ESKA is simply a verbal review of our subject knowledge acquired over the past three terms. A PSKR is a file/folder with resources, notes and additional aids that we have built over the course of the year.

Thursday, I had three all in one day. Computing, English and Maths. Friday was only Science. Now I don’t think the whole idea of the PSKR file, or the ESKA review worried me. It was the whole premise of passing and failing. The dread of not knowing enough. Not being able to answer the one question that will be asked to you. You know, the stresses of any exam really.

I am happy to say I survived! (I know, I know, so dramatic!) The reviews were a LOT smoother than I had anticipated. The tutors were all so friendly, no different to how the rest of the year had been, and the reviews of the folder and our subject knowledge was very chilled. It helped calm the nerves knowing that everyone was in the same position, and that the tutor was helping every way they could!

The tip I know I will be carrying with me for next years ESKA/PSKR reviews will be to keep ontop of my PSKR file at all times, it saves the running around like a headless chicken!

Until next time,

Mr Townley :)

[mrmtownley]

Professional Practice - Phase 1a!

Hi all,

It has been a while, I know. The past 8 weeks of my life have been spent in a splendid primary school for my first ever professional practice.

Over the christmas holidays I began to feel nervous for this placement as was my first and it was all new to me. I started to doubt myself as a teacher figure; the build up to the 14th January was near hell.

The 14th January arrived and it was my first day. I was lucky enough to be on placement with another peer on the course. We were introduced to the staff, shown around the school grounds and told which year group we were to be placed in; this ended up being in year three. Throughout the first week we alternated between both year three classes to see where we would be best suited. It was decided at the end of the week that I would be in class 3B and the other trainee in 3A.

The next few weeks allowed me to really get to know the children and the workings of the school. In the second week I began whole class teaching which I was dreading! My first ever lesson was an English writing one: Food and Drink paragraph in their Greek Holiday writing. It went better than planned (once I got past the nerves in the first 10 minutes!)

My interim assessment was the next time I felt extremely nervous during my placement. The lesson I was given to teach was maths. I was anxious yet ready, I had already been teaching for 3 weeks. I knew the children, the classroom and my teaching style had began to develop. However, it was my first lesson being officially observed, other than by my mentor. The assessment lesson went to plan, the children were all on their best behaviour and really contributed to the lesson.

The school celebrated Chinese New Year. As a school we went and watched a performance of traditional Chinese performances. This was certainly an experience. This was the first clear insight I have ever had into organising and helping during a school trip. The coach journey proved the most challenging aspect of the trip. Checking seatbelts were buckled, then double checking. Making sure the children sat facing forwards and didn't turn around to talk to other pupils. The children were so well behaved during the performances, sitting patiently and watching and applauding. The coach journey back posed the same issues as the journey going. All in all it was a really fab day, and helped me gain a better understanding to the continuous responsabilities of teachers during the trips.

The final thing I wish to talk about is my final observation, which determined the pass or failure of my first placement. It just so happened that on the same day as my observation it was also World Book Day... I could't have been more excited. I was allowed to teach another maths lesson, and due it being World Book Day I was able to get creative and off topic for the day. My plan: Where's Willy Wonka? Yes, I was going to ride the creative train as far as I could. I sat with the class teacher a few evenings and we discussed how to make the code breaker excersize most effective. The day of the observation arose and the children were beaming with excitement when I was explaining the task. They loved moving around the school to find clues and hints to where Willy Wonka was being kept. When speaking with the visiting tutor afterwards, I was showered with praise which really helped boost my confidence in regards to teaching. It was so reassuiring to hear from another person that relationships between the children and myself were being built and that they responded well to me. It was an exhillarating day for me, one of my highlights!!

To sum up, this experience was by far my favourite of my university experience so far. It helped solidify in my mind that teaching is what I want to do, I just love being in a classroom. On my final day I wrote notes for each of the children in 3B and was allowed the last half an hour of the day to give out the notes and little sweets that I brought in. Although this did result in tears from children (and nearly from myself!), it showed me how much of an impact a teacher can have on a child's educational life. Now I have plans to return in June/July once or twice a week to be a helping hand which I am looking forward to!

I hope everyone else's placements were exceptional learning experiences too!

Until next time,

Mr Townley :)

[mrmtownley]

The end to term one!

Hi everyone,

It's come to the end of my first term here at Edge Hill University. Oh boy has it been a rollercoaster so far! As detailed in my recent post, I have had many new experiences. Along with these experiences came challeges.

During my journey preparing for university I was always reassured that the course would be smooth sailing and a lot less stressful than my A-Level experience was (because *in true Janice Litman style* OH MY GOD was that painful!) Upon arriving at Edge Hill I acepted these views and was looking forward to a breeze of a course. However, the course is anything but a breeze. I mean don't get me wrong the course is amazing alongside the tutors and the other course members but, it is a challenge. After this first term it has shown me what the rest of my time at Edge Hill will expect from me, and I feel ready.

Now it isn't a monser of a course, I mean I wouldn't want to be on any other course - this is my passion. But this first term has also revealed other challenges. One of which being lonliness. When I first moved in the adrenaline and excitment I felt masked the seperation anxiety from being home with my family. Yet when I came back to uni after my reading week that's when it hit. I began feeling home sick and began dreading going to sleep. This did fade after a week or so. This is something that I'd never experienced before and was a lot to handle on my own. Having some of the most amazing flatmates helped too, knowing that although I wasn't at home I was in a second home with my second family.

My first term here hasn't been all gloom and doom, in fact I would say it's also been the best few months of my life. The people I have met, the visits I've been on, the course I am studying. Knowing that I'm on the path to my dream career, that all the hard work paid off and I am where I want to be. So yes, there has been challenges, but there has also been many, mant rewards which make it all worth it!

Anywho, my first term is over and I'm now back home for christmas. I have one assignment due before I can kick back and relax for this break. It's been a blast and I cannot wait for my professional practice after christmas!

Enjoy your christmas and until next time,

Mr Townley :)

[mrmtownley]

There’s a first time for everything!

Hi again,

My university life has been in full swing now for over a couple of month, so I thought it be best to address the first time's experienced over these past months.

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FIRST NIGHT OUT!

The first night out in Ormskirk was to Alpine with my flatmates. I believe this took place at the beginning of freshers week - the best way to get to know the people on this journey with me! Alpine is a decent club, theres a dancefloor, and outoors area and plenty of tunes for you to dance the night away too.

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FIRST SEMINAR!

My first week of university was freshers, during this time we also met our seminar groups for the first time and had an 'introductory' week of APD seminars. As mentioned in my previous post, we had to write a paragraph about ourselves and then read them aloud. This was terrifying. I am not the most confident of speakers in front of people of a similar age to myself, so this was not my favourite activity to do. However, I managed to power through and read out a section of my paragraph.

With regard to the rest of the seminars, I thouroughly enjoyed them. After this first month I know that I have made the right decision being here. I cannot wait for the next three years!

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FIRST EXEMPLAR VISIT!

What an experience. I have had experience in primary schools prior to being at university, however it felt so much different actually being a trainee teacher. I began the morning in a Year 2 class; the key focus for our observations was on Planning and Assessment within the school. After having a wonder around and a chat with the children the other trainees and I had a word with the class teacher regarding their daily/weekly/monthly plans.

For lunch I had a stroll to the Co-Op, which was right around the corner from the school (how handy!)

After lunch, the group of trainees I was with were all moved to a Year 6 class. I was most intrigued by this particular year group: In the past I have had strong views abount not wishing to be a Year 6 teacher. Despite these views I still observed and engaged in conversation with the children. You can probably guess what my next statement will be... I loved being in that classroom! The students made really good conversation and the fact they were some of the most polite and well behaved pupils helped too.

When I returned to the campus I read over the notes I made and noted down how this visit taught me to keep an open mind. Very informative visit.

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FIRST ASSIGNMENT!

Now when I tell you that essay writing isn't my strongsuit, I'm not lying! When we were first tasked with this assignment, which happened to be for mathematics, I was dreading it. I struggled at the beginning to understand the question being asked for us to address. When I got into the swing of writing it, it did begin to come more naturally (I can also tell you that the more you write, the easier it gets!)

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So all in all over these past few months there have been plenty first times for me. All due to this new chapter in my life. Although change and new things in life can be scary, don't let that stop you giving up on what you aspire for.

Until next time,

Mr Townley :)

[mrmtownley]

All about me...

In our first Academic and Personal Development seminar we were tasked to write a paragraph sumarising who we are, what inspired us and our journey so far.

I thought that I'd share this with you as it is the beginning to my journey as a trainee teacher.

'My name is Matthew and my home is Bolton. One of my hobbies, and passions in life, is photography. So much so that I took photography as a GCSE and at A Level. I want to be a primary school teacher because it has been an aspiration of mine for years; I am often reminded, by my mum, that my younger self would sit my family down and take a register. My inspiration for becoming a primary teacher is the pride felt when a child in the class achieves as it makes me feel like I too have achieved. I want to be the teacher whose lessons are fun and interactive, the lessons that children want to be involved in. I wouldn't be here today without the majority of my teachers through my primary and secondary educational life. They helped me to keep my dream of teaching alive through their own teaching styles and spirit. My mum too, I will be forever thankful to her for pushing me to be the best person I could be, even when I resisted... The people who I will rely on to support me during my teaching journey will be my family, my friends and my peers on this journey with me.'

I know this post is simply me sharing my life, but I feel this will be great to look back upon throughout my teacher career.

Until next time,

Mr Townley :)

[mrmtownley]

Where the journey began!

22nd November 2017. With GCSE certificates and other essentials in my bag my mum, step-dad and I began the car journey to Edge Hill University's campus in Ormskirk. It was my interview day and the nerves had already kicked in. I remember this day oh so well; it was a miserable day and I knew that how this day went determined the outcome of my future (not much pressure at all!)

The interview took, what seemed like, a lifetime! However, with a Maths and English test completed and sit down interview complete I headed to the Hub to meet back with my parents. It was such a relief that it was over - the only worry from then on was whether I had done enough for Edge Hill to offer me a place. It's fair to say that I barely slept with anticipation waiting for this e-mail telling me the fate of my future. On the day of the 27th November I got the e-mail telling me that I'd got a conditional offer, I was over the moon!

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16th August 2018. A-Level results day. How much of a wreck was I? There was so much at stake if I didn't pass, so I was a complete emotional mess the week prior. On the day, opening that white daunting envelope, I could've collapsed from relief! With BBB I'd managed to secure my place on the Primary Education with QTS course. Happiest day of my life!

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16th September 2018. Fast forward a month to move-in day. With the back of our car crammed to the brim with all my essentials (and non-essentials that I couldn't bare to leave) along with my parents, brother, grandma and myself we set off to my new home for the next 3 years. Within the hour I was going to be a fully enrolled student, and I was the happiest I'd ever been.

2 or so hours later and I was unpacked (but not organised!) and saying bye to my family. I was in my room for the first night, in Meadon block. It was strange but boy was I ready for this chapter of my life!

Freshers week came and went, I got to know my flatmates a little better and had some good nights! Lectures and seminars also had begun (well the induction ones) and quite honestly, I didn't hate them like I had expected to (I mean no one particularly wants to be coming back from a night out and then 4 hours later having to sit in a lecture theatre for a good few hours!)

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6th December 2018. The day I'm writing this blog post. After 3 months of seminars and lectures and exemplar visits I can truly tell you that I love this course and am so glad that this is the path I decided to pursue! I have some of the best course mates, some of the most amazing flat mates and am actually enjoying and engaging with my course. I know it's only been 3 months but I can already tell that these three years are going to be the best in my life (so far!)

This post is just an introduction/journey so far kind of post. I still have notes and thoughts regarding my exemplar visits and from my seminars and lectures which I will post about soon enough! With the Christmas break steadily approaching I will be able to write up these notes to share.

Until next time,

Mr Townley :)