This week's blogpost is a funny story of a day in the life of a teacher on swimming days. Thank you to Clair Allan for sharing this hilarious perspective.
'Today, take a moment to give Miss Lucy that extra warm smile and gratitude at the end of the day. It is at this time of year that my Fridays off come into their own as I think of my beautiful teaching partner. Just picture her day today......
It begins with 24 RIDICULOUSLY excited five year olds, who dressed in their lycra at potentially 5am and are now making their way onto an enormous bus. The head counts take at least 2-3 goes as those wriggling bodies bouncing with excitement, move about in the line ensuring they are counted at least twice, not to mention those high-pitch squeals that put your counting off each time.
Once they spot that aqua blue of the pool, that intensity increases, and the 24 begin to feel like 48 with the wriggling and bouncing turned up a notch. The swimming section of the day happens to be the easiest time - coaches to assist, and the love of the water that most of our children have is wonderful. At times there is always the couple that maybe terrified of the water, that is if not dressed from neck to knee in lycra yourself finds one teacher in a very awkward and revealing situation. This is normally something first year teachers experience on their first swimming trip - we 'oldies' have this element down pat by now!
The next part is the best! Back to the bus. Often still dripping and dragging their towel behind - someone has always left their goggles behind, or has someone else's thongs on to begin the trip to the bus! With all that avoided, the bus trip goes one of two ways! They are either more hyped than the trip there after their incredible swim or are zonked and falling asleep that results in tears as we wake those sleeping babes from their slumber.
Back at school...... this separates the birds and the pigeons. Who can dress themselves? And then dress themselves correctly? Shoes on the right feet, buttons done up straight, and clothes not inside out? There are always those pairs of undies that belong to no one yet sit in the middle of the carpet - quite obviously belonging to someone within the room. As well as the notorious bag of wet swimming clothes that often sit in the classroom for the next 5 weeks, again belonging to no one!
The day will often end with a few tears as those tired little bodies (up since 5.00am) start to fade, and that excitement turns into frustration with anything really. I can hear you all frantically signing up to either begin your teaching career or at the least beg desperately to Lucy to allow you to help this morning!
So, as you have finished drop off, and sat for your morning coffee, spare a thought for Miss Lucy. We definitely love our job, and wouldn't have it any other way! But swimming days are the ones that test us.'
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