Drama Queen

So, I've been somewhat lax about blog writing this year. In first semester that was because I was working in a doomed boys' school which is closing down at the end of the year, resulting in increasing student misbehaviour and decreasing staff morale. Takes up a fair whack of your day.

This semester I am facing a whole new set of challenges, having started at a new school with a whole new set of (somewhat unexpected) responsibilities. I now teach in a co-ed, middle class 'burbs school, where, unbeknownst to me, I had been awarded the position of Head of Drama. How does one receive a job without being aware, you may ask. WELL...

I applied for an ongoing Drama/ English teaching position. I interviewed for the same position, and at no point was co-ordination mentioned. They then checked my references, raved about me to my principal and... nothing. Just as I got REALLY annoyed at not hearing anything, they called me; the terms of the job had changed (due to falling student numbers. Why does this happen everywhere I go???). Not to include co-ordination, mind you. It was simply a fixed contract, with a view to permanency. I took the job.

You'll note there's still no co-ordination involved. A few days before the position commenced, I went to school for orientation and received my timetable, which included a few free periods. What are these for, I asked? Why, to co-ordinate the department! Yes, of course they were...

Sadly, the teacher I replaced had been quite unwell in Semester one, leaving behind a few neglected and disheveled English classes (including a VCE class), a failed musical, and a complete absence of a Year Ten Drama curriculum. I had been of the impression that my job involved picking up and rearranging these pieces. Now people were mentioning tasks such as resurrecting a VCE Drama course and forward planning for the following year's performing arts festival.

A few days ago, the Assistant Principal mentioned a VCE expo (which I'd heard nothing of), for which a VCE Drama stall needed to be constructed, requiring information, pamphlets, photos, possible performances. In passing, the AP noted that, as we hadn't a Head of Drama, I might need to assist the Head of Arts in this. What? No Head of Drama? What was I, then? CHOPPED LIVER? I'd only just gotten my head around the surprise position and already it was being taken away! (And did this mean that I was able to shirk any extra responsibility? *pleasepleaseplease*)

Cue emergency meeting with Head of Arts, who outlined my responsibilities as *possible* Head of Drama, as well as expectations for the VCE Expo. He also checked with the AP, and confirmed that, as I had a time allowance, I MUST be Head of Drama! And so, my title has been re-bestowed upon me. What a week...

In viewing news, I have recently: seen and absolutely loved the musical, 'Wicked'; seen and been disappointed by the dance-ical, 'Edward Scissorhands'; seen and thoroughly enjoyed (although not as much as the previous Batman film) the Heath-ical, 'The Dark Knight'; been reminded of the rock opera shambles of last year, through the much better organised Complete Works Theater Company's version of 'Macbeth'; and am expecting to very much enjoy tomorrow's performance of Bell Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

In eating news, I am soon attending a chocolate festival (including a very exciting wine and chocolate matching session); am planning to attend the Taste of Melbourne food festival; am considering buying far more wine than I require (but it includes freebies!); have discovered the best churros in Melbourne so far (Juanita's, Brunswick St Fitzroy); and am excited to be gathering with a whole hope of long lost friends in a group dinner at the Quiet Man pub tomorrow.

And that's all, folks!