First Day At School - 6th-9th September

I never thought I would have to say that I had my first day at school today, after finishing secondary school. But then, your plans when you're 11 aren't the same as the ones you end up making when you are almost an adult. But, I still get to say it so here it is:
Today was my first day at school.
Siu Lun Kindergarten School is a brilliant school, with around 700 students who come in either the morning or afternoon, indeed there are only 3 'whole day' classes. After the SARS scare, each child has to come in with a book that notes how high their temperature is and they are given a squirt of antibacterial hand gel, an ingenious but slightly hectic way of doing the morning and afternoon meet and greet. The English department, including me and Will who is a fellow 'gappie', take responsibility for this every day, throw us into the deep end trying to pronounce their names!
One of the beautifully helpful things about Hong Kong is that almost every sign is in both Cantonese and English, as were the names on the badges the kids are required to wear every day. It immediately brightened up my day to learn that in one of the classes, there was a boy called Sherlock!
In assembly, what we were told was the Lord's Prayer in Cantonese was said following the raising of the Chinese flag and the singing of the national anthem. It was fascinating to see this occur, apparently it happens every day and they do it for both the morning and afternoon classes. I admittedly just starting humming God Save the Queen in my head as it played. We were then introduced, we are known by our first names but apparently my name is too hard for the children so in school I am known as Miss Bethy...I'm still not sure about it and when the kids say it, it sounds like Betty...hum...
Observing lessons gave me a great insight into how incredibly well behaved the majority of the children are even at such a young age, such discipline and yet their personalities shine through so clearly. I cannot wait to start teaching the gems, they are all adorable. 3-5 year olds tend to be though, don't they?
The photos attached is the view from my bedroom window over Butterfly Beach, the eclectic view of tower blocks and mountains from the 27th Floor and me trying chicken feet...yes, you did just read chicken feet...not something I will be going back to in any hurry!
All in all, a fascinating experience and I'm looking forward to seeing how the kids grow over the year.

Batkinson xxx

Cantonese word of the week: pronounced: supick. Translation: Sprite!
Quote of the week: 'Dash (from The Incredibles) can run fast! Jesus can run really fast! God can run really fast too!'
Prayer points:
- to get over jetlag, I'm still suffering a little
- to use my money wisely, this month is going to be the hardest