Middle Years Program Course III

Middle Years Program Course II

The following pictures include maths, physics, English, science, and business studies teachers (and me). Can you guess which one is which?

Middle Years Program Course

This blog starts off on the topic and then, as is always the case... I randomly go off the topic.

I sacrificed 3 days of a precious 3 week holiday to do some professional development in sunny Nadi (West). And at a moment not too early, I now know what I am meant to be teaching and I’ll get straight onto that.

The gang at International School Suva, bonded especially well in the evenings at the bar and it was noted that I was like a dog with a bone during a few debates on Middle East politics, Jungian philosophy and falling in love. It turns out that there is someone who would prefer to have the last say, other than myself. Perhaps even more so than myself! How annoying! Worse… he’s my new boss and although I don’t have as many letters after my name, I’d like to think I gave him a run for his money… though the evening’s conversations are all a bit of a blur due to copious quantities of red wine, Fiji Gold and Gordon’s and soda.

Have a peak at the mad hatters I work with in the portraits below and don’t worry, I snuck my way into a couple, with my favourite Science teacher couple. Who help me out with the big questions: Why can’t I see oxygen if it’s all around me? What does photosynthesis have to do with rainforests? Why do my bicycle tyres go flat if I stop using my bike? Dr Karl is helping me out with these questions too. He is one of a couple of regular podcasts I download.

I am still listen to Fr. Bob Maguire and John Safran every week. I miss having Father Bob as my parish priest. The podcasts for this show go for 1 hour 24 mins. It’s a shame that they don’t include music … it’s just the nattering of Bob and Safran and whoever they drag in for a chat. Don’t know why I didn’t get onto podcasts earlier. It took me to not be in the same country to download them… but it takes the pressure off being home to listen to a radio show. And in the case of Dr Karl, I was never home to listen to that quirky little science lover geeky show.

Australian High Commission Ball

One of the many things that makes Australians special is the fact that our High Commissioner has not had to flea Fiji for his own safety…. Unlike New Zealander, Michael Green. I am not making light of the situation… it’s just that in the Tri-Nations our Wallabies were defeated by the All Blacks…. so it’s my come back. What makes matters worse, is that the Kiwi High Com residence is right next door to Interim Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama (AKA Frank). Did Mr Green throw his rubbish over the back fence into Mr Bainimarama’s house? Am I speaking metaphorically here…. I’ve been teaching way too much poetry lately!

Not that Australia’s rated highly in Frank’s book at the moment… he’s still upset about the eight Australian soldiers who managed to clear customs at Nadi airport straight after the coup. Did Australia pose a military threat… if that is true… why have we seen no action? Hmmm… maybe nobody would have bought the story that Fiji had Weapons of Mass Destruction…. not that anyone bought Johnny Howard’s WMD story for Iraq. Speaking of… how silly did Dr. Condoleezza Rice look when interviewed during the APEC talks in Sydney last week? Very silly indeed, if you ask me. Her name means “with sweetness” in Italian… so maybe … just maybe… with sweetness she can work on fixing up Iraq.... no evidence of that yet.

The Australia High Commission ball raised funds for Lautoka Hospital… a worthy cause. The Fiji Police Band got a lot of people up and dancing and I I was certainly “mending the tiles” (Jamiorquai).

SPG (South Pacific Games) has just finished on Sunday.. the closing ceremony was an extravaganza but there was some serious air time given to the ceremonially dressed Samoan Police force folding up the flag. Fair enough if they accidentally dropped it… that would be a disgrace and a bit funny.. it was kinda interesting when they couldn’t untie it from the flag pole… but meanwhile there was some great New Caledonian dance going down on the stage and we have 6 minutes of watching 10 grown men fold up a flag. I don’t understand. I fold up my laundry every week and I don’t think that would make good television airtime… so I am wondering what made the broadcasters think we needed to see this flag being folded up by a bunch of cops in hard hats… what is it with those hard hats?

Robb's birthday

Robb's bithday was celebrated with delicious Japense @ Daikoku. Highlights of the night included Robb's tiara and the chef (that Alex tried to palm me off to). Oh, and the black forest cake. Oh, and I liked Kim's cool necklace too!