When I was in Year 11 myself I don't remember ever really feeling the stress of the exams, and definitely not to the extent that I felt it at university. But am I ever feeling it this year - I feel like I am personally taking 30 exams on Monday, and I suppose that in a way I am. Whilst I know that the results of my Year 11 students are not completely down to me, a huge part of how they are doing and how confident they feel going into the exam hall on Monday has to rest on my preparation of them for this...
I've spent this past week stressing and worrying about how they are getting on and whether they are revising enough and getting enough sleep and eating properly. I'm sure this is partly what it must feel like to be a Mum!!
A massive worry for me is about what they will do after they leave school. I can't see them every week to make sure they are doing okay or check how things are at home or with friends, I won't be able to remind them just how capable and interesting and special they are or to pick them up when they've had a bad day. And I'm terrified. And more than that, I will miss them. I'll miss the constant laughs and the chaos of our lessons, and the silly things they always say that reminds me that they are just human! I'll even miss the headaches that set in 30 minutes into the lesson when FT hasn't stopped talking for the entire time and the rest of the class is screeching at him to stop! Or when JP gets his phone out and decides to treat us all to the latest Scouse rap battle...
I never thought I would love teaching as much as I do when I work with these kids - they make the last two years so much more worthwhile, and I am gutted for them to be leaving, although excited for the what the future may hold! But now for the next week and the stress to continue and the exams to happen and here's every possible part of me crossed for a positive outcome!
