Week 5 and 6: Reflections on Learning February 2009

Black October 

Film Poster Campaign by Grant Tugwell

Year 11 2008/2009

Charity Advertising Posters

 by Kelsey Ferguson Year 11

It is half-term now and I have just returned from running a Yr 11 Intervention Day at school. It was really successful with fifteen students in attendance but I felt that I was spread too thin given the 'needy' one-to-one nature of the students. Kelsey completed a super print campaign for the NSPCC on neglect and Grant completed his Film Promotion pack. Lots of students completed their evaluations and Charlie came close to writing a full essay on 'Pink's' album. 

I feel really guilty because I haven't posted any on my planning or reflections for two weeks but I have been soooooooooo busy. We had two snow days that totally disrupted everything on the Monday and Tuesday of Week 5; three major deadlines for year 13 music promos, Year 12 Opening Title Sequences and Year 11 Section B projects. We had a Year 10 Parent Consultation Day and I attended a brilliant ALT Training session at Rowhill Grange on DELPE followed by a meal last Wednesday. We have an advert out for a new Media teacher and I have been negotiating to have Gerry full time after half-term. In addition to this I have been desperately trying to get all of Mr Abiona's Year 10 coursework marked; providing the Year 13's with theoretical frameworks to support them with the writing of their Critical evaluations, completing exam entries, writing reports and dealing with DATA, DATA, DATA!  Of course, I've also been teaching! 

I have had productive meetings with a number of students and their parents who were going off the rails and completed all my feedback to Film students having completed their FS4 Film Presentations. I was thrilled with the standard of these this year and confident that all students bar 1 or 2 will achieve A-C grades. On the Thursday before half-term Langford and Danielle presented and their studies were really well received. Similarly, I was delighted at the standard of music video production work showcased at the Music Promo crit hosted by Leanne last Wednesday. Alan and I offered constructive criticism that was well received by most and a new deadline of MARCH 15TH 2009 was set for second draft of the evaluation and final promo. I am still concerned about Liam who was not involved in this event but am confident having done mentor sessions with all the other students/teams that everyone will rise to the challenge. 

Overall, it has been a stressful but hugely creative two weeks. I am looking forward to hosting a Year 12 Crit after half-term and commencing on the new Units in TV Drama with Year 12; the Horror Genre with Year 13 Media ; Gendered Film Year 13 Film and The American Dream FM2 with Year 12 Film (Who I missed for two weeks before half term because of snow and parent's consultation day). 

Over half term I need to write my quota of Year 12 reports; up-date the blog with lots of TV Drama preparation and Horror Film resources; watch some good movies and check the Year 12 blogs for quality of evidence. I also need to prep resources for the OCR conference on March 20th 2009; contact Kemnal regarding the Middle manager training in April and start planning ahead for September 2009. 

The week after half-term is going to be busy with Year 9 Options Evening on the Tuesday evening followed by 6th form interviews on Wednesday between 4pm and 5.30pm. There will then be a Department Meeting I need to lead on the Thursday...hmmmm what shall I put on the agenda?

Ideas: Display, Year 11 (progress, WAFTAS), Gerry's role......I'll add to this when my brain is better functioning (I've just watched LOST and LOST THE PLOT!)

So here's to half-term. Yipeeeeee!