School Spirit

Earlier in the day, when I first thought about posting something after I got home tonight, I was planning on writing about this evening’s Parent Information Barbecue and the bits and pieces involved in this quick, annual event we hold in the first few weeks of each year. The idea is to get the parents in and talk to them as a group (the preps talk to the prep parents, the 1/2 Unit then speaks with their parents next, the 3/4 Unit does likewise and so on). To aid in getting a decent attendance, we also set up the barbecue and give out free snags to any parents and accompanying kids who turn up. Gives us a chance to meet some of the parents for the first (and possibly only) time, as well as speak as a group to those who turn up so we can all get the same message across.

I generally don’t mind the afternoon, even if it does mean we’re at work until about 7:00 PM. It’s a free feed of snags and the half hour presentation to the parents isn’t so bad when it’s split between four or five teachers. I drop a few silly lines and they have a friendly laugh and you’ve won half of them over already.

But that’s not what I’m going to talk about now. When we finished, I ended up talking for a short moment to one particular mum who’s son I’m teaching this year. I taught a daughter a few years back, and the older one was involved in the band for four years previously as well, so we’ve known each other for a while. Not to mention their mother taught me to swim back when I was in primary school myself and they intend to bring in old photos of my from this period blown up to A3 size when they eventually get around to it.

Anyway… I told her I was disappointed her husband hadn’t turned up because he has a habit of smuggling a can of beer in with him each year as well. I was sort of thinking he should shout me one as I was now teaching his final child and his only son. She just answered, ‘drop by now on your way home and drink one anyway’.

Well… let’s run through this quickly. An offer of a free beer (or bourbon) or two, possibly a meal, definitely a few laughs on the table, and the chance to rock up unannounced at the kid’s house for tea and see him squirm when his teacher appears in the hallway.

How could I refuse?

He didn’t believe his mum when she told him, but when the doorbell rang apparently he ran and hid in his room! So far, perfect!

He eventually came out again and dinner was served, then I had another opportunity I couldn’t pass up. ‘Oi, kid, you done your homework?’

He has now!

Third little gem… didn’t want to have his shower so I just casually noted that when we’re on camp later in the year and he doesn’t have a shower I’ll just grab him and throw him in myself, and if he wanted, I could start now. He had his shower!

Enough mild embarrassment and awkwardness for the poor little feller tonight though. When school starts tomorrow though, I think I might ask him to share some news with the rest of the grade… see if he’s willing to tell his mates the special guest that rocked up for dinner and a drink with dad last night.

Mind you, his mum did warn me that it could have a side effect… they all might start asking me to come round for some tucker…

Suppose then it’d depend on what’s on offer, eh?