Official correction!

The title of my blog is a little misleading.

I am teaching, but the organisers have been very kind and given me only three Geography classes - so this is only nine lessons per week. Also, I take bible studies after lunch every third week (so does Des).

So, how is the rest of the week spent?

After arriving with a large to-do list, I have prioritised five tasks. These are:

1. Teacher training and development

I hope to meet with all teachers on two Wednesdays out of three. We will discuss teaching strategies and school organisation. Also, I want to get some team teaching going where we observe each other's lessons. I have brought a couple of text books on CD, and the staff is very interested. Most Kenyan text books have no coloured pictures. If anyone has a secondary text with a CD attached, please copy the CD onto your hard drive and send it to me as an email attachment (moggies59@outlook.com). I already have Biology Year 12 and Stages 4-5 of Geography.

2. Testing English comprehension and organising remedial work.

I suspect that the students' verbal English is far better than their written comprehension. We will start by testing all of Form 1 and determining their level of English comprehension on a standardised test (Western Australian TORCH test). Work out the acronym for yourself.

Desleigh will work with (hopefully withdraw) students who need extra help. We are also going to train Sammy to continue this work in future years. If Form 1 shows deficiencies, then we will also test Form two and possibly three.

3. Computer technology

I have brought 12 laptops from Kotara High and want to train teachers in word processing, spreadsheets for record keeping, and PowerPoint for classroom presentations. Use of the data projector is also on the list. At the weekend in Nairobi I purchased a refurbished photocopier. Previously all copying was done on a cheap printer-scanner that didn't even double-side. Internet would be great, but this is a cost that the school cannot afford at the moment. I estimate that even light use would cost about $40-50 per week.

4. Documenting school procedures and timetables

The school hierarchy has developed a policy booklet for 2014, which is great. However, the school needs more. Policies and plans are in people's heads, not down on paper. There is little forward-planning and communication of upcoming events. I hope to prepare a Teachers' Manual that sets out procedures, structures, timetables and useful information (particularly useful for new teachers).

5. Environmental education

There are many basic changes needed here that will require a cultural shift. For example:

   - plastic should not be burnt. We have just dug our second pit for the disposal of plastic (somehow the other one was filled with all sorts of rubbish). We want to look into the possibility of sending sorted rubbish to a recycler, if such a thing exists this far from Nairobi.

 

  - litter should not be regarded as 'normal'. One student wrote to her sponsor explaining that 'Mister Greg' was doing a good job of keeping the grounds tidy! Perhaps they think I am the general assistant.

   - cleaning of rooms needs to be a priority. There is a roster, but it has not been followed well enough. Each classroom now has two garbage bins, a broom and a dustpan.

 6. Other things

There are also fixit jobs. Oh how I wish I was more practical! Desks and chairs need mending, and much of the plumbing leaves a lot to be desired. Another coat of paint is also needed throughout the interior of our house.

Desleigh is caring for our vegetable patch. She was very upset when a cow got in and ate EVERY SINGLE CABBAGE. Goats and birds have also been on her hit list.

Landscaping is another priority. The house needs a few fruit or nut trees (avocados grow brilliantly, and macadamias have been introduced to Kenya).

Now that there is a girl's dormitory about 20 metres from the house, we need a hedge to screen out the sight and sounds of the girls. I like the idea of a little privacy.

One of us Aussies speaks at assemblies and gatherings at least every 2-3 days. Very little warning is given, but the students are very generous with their applause.

Finally, we take every chance we can to buy things for the school when we are in large towns and cities. There are so many things that the school lacks. Sometimes we spend our own money, but mostly we use money that has been donated by you kind folk back in Australia. I can assure you that improvements are happening and the teachers and staff are very grateful (the principal is effusive with his thanks, and shakes our hand for a very long time).

So, life is busy but rewarding. Progress is slow, but we will get there. If you can help in any way, please do so.

Post you later,

Greg.