S is for Sucker

 Well, I have one again been sucked into giving up my valuable sandwich-eating lunchtime. Wretched students who are entering the Rockquest craftily weedled at one of the Senior management team to be allowed to have a concert for the senior sudents during lunchtime. Of course he agreed but now is unable to supervise due to the fact today is alos Variety concert audition day. It is also the day when the Arts co-ordinator, HOD of music and drama are busy organising other stuff at lunchtime. This meant that nobody who was experienced and capable of managing a concert for the rowdy senior school was available. Naturally they resorted to picking someone who while not capable or experienced might be naive enough or eaasily bullied into taking on the challenge...me.

I should have backed away but I didn't. The whole 'the students won't be able to have it if a staff member doesn't supervise' routine worked. I admit it, I am a sucker.

I wasn't actually reassured when other staff members who overheard me agreeing to it laughed in the embittered way of people who too once had been eager and innocent second year teachers but now knew better.

To make matters worse today is a mufti day. The year 13s are wearing pyjamas. Oh god, a screaming bunch of teenagers liberated from the chains of despair and order that is uniform* and year 13s moshing in their PJs. Shudder.

I now know not what battles lie ahead. Will I emerge from the AV theatre at the end of lunch with ear-drums bleeding and the shell-shocked expression of someone who saw too much too soon. I can only hope that I come out of the experience alive. Sadder, greyer and wiser, maybe, but ultimately and gratefully, alive.

* It is remarkable the dramatic effect that not wearing uniform creates. With many students it is scary how different they appear - not just their clothes but also their demeanor and the way they walk. I actually struggled to recognise some of them. They also seem louder and less focused.