How's That ?

I have just finished my week at Mpontshini Primary School.

1) The highlights of my week were:

The school run – Each day I ran a taxi service to and from school. I would stop my car at the beginning of the dirt road and shout ‘lift’. Tens of children would surround the car all trying to fit in. Somehow I would manage to fit 8 or 9 in the back of my tiny 3 door car. I hope to take a picture to prove it.

Umpiring cricket matches - After school sports are on Tuesday and Thursdays. Some of the kids but none of the teachers showed great enthusiasm for the leather and willow (or our substitutes). So I decided it was where I could best help. As well as umpiring I provided a running commentary during both matches. Many of the players were younger children they could not understand me. Nonetheless they seemed to enjoy it and trying to imitate me. At the end of the games all gathered round to hear me read out the scores. Making no sense at all, everyone would then celebrate – hands aloft waving pieces of kit in the air.

2) The lowlights for my week were:

Social Science classes - Being invited to teach the slave trade seemed something of a hospital pass. Thankfully, none of the children seemed to hold me personally responsible.

The school toilets - Unfortunately, a great planning booboo was made in siting the school downwind of the ablutions. The odour that drifts across with the Ingwavuma Mistral is horribly pungent.

Next week I head for another primary school. I shall report back.

(I should perhaps explain that the grades roughly correspond with the UK comprehensive system. However, in SA, each year group contains some much older pupils. In my year 7 class I was teaching some 17 year olds.)