Week 1: First Day at Valance

June 3rd 2013 Term 5 Week 1 Day 1. 

So today was the first day of our Community Art Project. We began the day in theatre getting briefed on our new and wonderfully downsized timetable. 




On Mondays in now have CAP from 9am-4.15pm instead of additional studies.


On Tuesdays I now have 'Strawberry Picking' from 9am-1pm.


On Wednesdays I also have 'Strawberry Picking' from 9am-1pm.


On Thursdays I have English Literature from 11-4.15pm.


And I now have to attend EVERY FRIDAY from 9-1pm for CAP. Me no likey Fridays at school.



We all got split up into our separate project groups. (I was sadly not with Layla nor Cassie!) I was then told to head off to room 802 along with Kitty, Emily, Alex, Ember and Shanon.


Once we got there we were once again briefed. This time it was about what we would be doing this term. Essentially our group will be preparing fun and engaging workshops leading up to a performance over the next 6 weeks, with students from The Valance School in Kent. Valance school is a school for children aged 5-19 who have a disability and / or complex medical needs. 




We then went to the school via car/ mini bus / train to meet the group that we would be working with for the next few weeks. 


When we got there the very large and very beautiful building amazed me. It is a very tall historic looking building with spirals and archways and oak wood staircases. The school grounds themselves are beautiful, and we all got personal tours from students at Valance. 


Before we met the kids we would be working with the lady Ros gave us a pep talk in an attempt to make our group less nervous, but personally I felt even more anxious after the talk.


We then met the kids and had lunch with them. Despite a few awkward silences, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Myself, Ember and Alex got chatting to two of the Valence students called James and Jamie, ironically. James and Jamie both then gave me a personal tour around the school premises. 




Time flew by as it always does when you're having fun and soon it was 2pm and James had to go off to his ICT lesson and Jamie had to go to his Music lesson. 







We said our goodbyes and a very nice lady gave Ember a balloon because he looked like he really needed it. We then headed back to school, looking at the breathtaking view of field after field of emerald green grass. 







WHAT WENT WELL: Good day! Unexpected school journey on the first day of term was nice. I didn't 'screw' it up, which was also very nice. And we all got back to school in one piece, which is a plus. Really looking forward to going back next Monday!


HOW I CAN IMPROVE: Self confidence, clarity in articulation, and bucket loads of patience are going to be required from me this term. Next week my target is to learn 5 more valance students names.