My Upcoming Weekend!

Wednesday and Thursday

So yesterday (Wednesday) was my first full day on campus. I was shown around and met even more people I probably wont remember. Then I was brought to my department where everyone seems so friendly and is willing to help. They did not have my schedule (timetable – what they call it) ready for me just yet so I sat in some of the classes and observed. During my observation of social studies classes students were able to ask me some questions which was so fun to hear what they were curious about…

“Is school like High School Musical?”

“Do they have lockers?” – there are no lockers here

“What are Twinkies?”

“Why do people have so many guns? – Can you buy guns at a Target?”

“Why are all your movie stars so skinny? How does that work?” – if only I had the answer

“What do people wear in America?” –people here don’t wear their shoes very often – very common

“Do you like Obama?” – They really like Obama and learn a lot about the US – tons of posters with Obama on it and some from during the war.

“Do Americans even know where New Zealand is?” J

It was quite funny listening to them talk about what they think life is like in America. My school is an all girls school. There are about 2,500 girls who attend school here (year 9-13  basically grades 8 – 12) They all have to wear uniforms – blazers, ties, stockings, specific shoes ect. The campus is BEAUTIFUL!!! There are trees, paths, benches and there are tons of buildings all over campus for classes. I have to run across to make sure I get to some of the ones I will be teaching. Westlake is a public school, the boys school down the road. It is open to those girls who live in the district. There are a lot of international students who come here as well, from pacific islands and Asia. They have to pay a huge amount of money to attend but this school is know for its excellence in academics, music, and sports (some have gone to the Olympics). Each girl is assigned to a house, there are five… Wairau, Pupuke, Onewa, Hauraki, and Akoranga. I am assigned to Pupuke house. Not sure what that means yet but I will sure find out!

School runs on a 6 day calendar (we get weekends off of course) and there are 5 periods in a day. School begins at 8:50 and ends at 3:15. After period 2 there is TEA TIME (25 minutes)  – The students go outside and hang, eat a snack and play, the teachers have tea, coffee (I drink water) and have a snack. Then after period 3 there is 50 minute lunch time. I love the little breaks during the day- so pleasant. Classes are 1 hour long each which is nice.

Yesterday was also my host mom’s birthday! It was great getting together with her family and we had a Kiwi roast – lamb, potatoes, peas, salad, corn, some champagne and some delicious cherry pie. It was such a great evening talking about cultural differences and what we should travel and see. My host brother and his wife (who has the 2 year old) are going on a camping trip over the Easter holiday (we have Friday through Tuesday off!!) and invited us to go along! I’m excited!

Today (Thursday) has been interesting. I got my picture for my staff card taken, gotten my internet set up, got a workspace – it’s in a office where there is another women as well but the view is divine. I also finally got my timetable. I will be team teaching and teaching on my own eventually. I am paired up with 3 different teachers and 3 different classes, and I will be doing some 1 on 1 tutoring during my free periods. One of the classes I will be assisting with has a unit over the death penalty which is nice because I taught that in the states. I am also teaching a BYOD (Bring your own device) class which will be super fun once I get in the swing of things.  I will show you a picture of my time table when I upload pictures next post J

This evening my roomie, my host mom and I are going to a little get together – tell you about it some other time…

Finally – my weekend plans - -

Saturday- not sure yet

Sunday through Tuesday evening the teacher from Iowa and myself were invited to chaperone a trip with a geography class! They are driving to Tongariro National Park. They will be doing research on altitude on a active – Tongariro Volcano. We will be staying in lodges in the park and the girls will go out and measure air pressure, wind speed, humidity, soil depth, height of vegetation, and number of plant species. Their aim is to investigate the affect altitude has on climate, soil, and vegetation. It seems like a really great trip and the man in charge said that one of the days Allison and I could go and tramp (hike) the Tongariro crossing which takes about 1 day. It is the only crossing that takes a day – most are more days and it is one of the most beautiful hikes in New Zealand! I am looking forward to the trip! It is one of the must-do’s while in New Zealand so the school is helping make it happen! 

Miss you all!