Monday was my first day at school - must say I was soooo nervous but it turned out to be a really great day! The teachers I am working with in this school are all really nice! I was about half an hour early, as I had so far to come I allowed extra time, and was hovering around the fornt gates for a while, until the principal himself came out and welcomed me and took me up to the teachers room which was really nice of him!
I have my own locker and my own shoe locker (as you must wear 'indoor shoes' inside the school at all times)., both of which had nice flowers and bows attached to them. The opening ceremony itself was a nice welcome to the school for the new students and new teachers. I had a fear that I would have to make an introductory speech in front of all the students and parents, but in the end I just had to bow and say nice to meet you in Japanese. Although I wasn't ready for the giggling and muttering when I said it in Japanese, but the other teacher assured me it was only because they weren't expecting it, not because I had said it wrong at all.
I then had some time to look through all the stuff the previous ALT had left, which was nice to get some ideas, and then we had a celebratory Bento lunch with all the staff. I was sat on the table with the principal, vice principal and a couple of other teachers, which put a lot of pressure for me to eat everything I was given properly. Although the lunch was lovely, unfortunately there was one very suspect section that even I couldn't force down, so I managed to hide it when no one was looking - and then my clean plate gave a good impression :)
I am a lot more excited now and can't wait to go back in for my next day!
Also, I am finally moving out of the temporary accomodation, and will be in a hotel right next to where I will be living for a couple of nights as it is a lot closer to the schools and will make moving in to my own place on Friday a lot easier! So a couple of nights of luxury will be lovely!!
I have my own locker and my own shoe locker (as you must wear 'indoor shoes' inside the school at all times)., both of which had nice flowers and bows attached to them. The opening ceremony itself was a nice welcome to the school for the new students and new teachers. I had a fear that I would have to make an introductory speech in front of all the students and parents, but in the end I just had to bow and say nice to meet you in Japanese. Although I wasn't ready for the giggling and muttering when I said it in Japanese, but the other teacher assured me it was only because they weren't expecting it, not because I had said it wrong at all.
I then had some time to look through all the stuff the previous ALT had left, which was nice to get some ideas, and then we had a celebratory Bento lunch with all the staff. I was sat on the table with the principal, vice principal and a couple of other teachers, which put a lot of pressure for me to eat everything I was given properly. Although the lunch was lovely, unfortunately there was one very suspect section that even I couldn't force down, so I managed to hide it when no one was looking - and then my clean plate gave a good impression :)
I am a lot more excited now and can't wait to go back in for my next day!
Also, I am finally moving out of the temporary accomodation, and will be in a hotel right next to where I will be living for a couple of nights as it is a lot closer to the schools and will make moving in to my own place on Friday a lot easier! So a couple of nights of luxury will be lovely!!
