School's Out for Summer

Well, school is (finally) out for summer! I've never taught this late into the summer before (July 19), and I have to say that while I really loved all the weeks off we had throughout the year, I think I'm happier finishing school in June than July. Although teaching all summer isn't really my thing, I definitely had mixed feelings this week as the year came to a close--happy to be done with work but so utterly sad to be saying goodbye to my students and friends at work. Thankfully, we had a really fun leaving party at work, which gave us a chance to celebrate our year together and say goodbye.

Rohanna and I 

Such good friends!

Bindi and I 

Helena, me and Neenna. We all had punctuation jumpers and had been
meaning to get a group pic, so we brought them in for a quick photo.

W12--my home for the year

Thursday after work, we kicked out all the students at 4 p.m. and had our end-of-year celebration. We started off by playing old fashioned race games: sack race, three-legged, dressing up, tug-of-war, and egg and spoon (in which I competed but promptly lost). It was silly and fun!

Getting ready for egg and spoon

Donal and Rohanna in the three-legged race

Tug of war!

Lauren was our master of games

Almost all of the English department

After the games, we had some drinks and snacks and listened to a great jazz band. There were also lots of speeches for all the people leaving. My department head Jonathan gave a nice speech about me that made me feel special and appreciated. I, of course, choked up in my thank you remarks to the staff, then full on bawled when I opened the lovely presents the staff gave me. I received a pretty necklace from Oliver Bonas (this great boutique-style shop up the street from school), some travel goodies and a gorgeous framed photo of the English department. I had no idea I was going to get the photo. A couple weeks ago, the rest of the department dragged me upstairs at lunch to get a photo taken of us for what they said was the school brochure. Those sneaky guys! Not only did I receive those nice gifts from the whole staff, but I also was showered with other cards and presents from individual staff members and students. I've never felt so special or so loved at work before! I also felt quite spoiled! :)

Jess and I

Bindi, Alison, Lauren, me and Anna

Anna, Rachel, the scary baby, Bindi, Alison, Me and Lauren

Leah, Lauren, Me, Rohanna, Anna and Jess

When the school event wrapped up, a big group of us took the party down the street to a kareoke bar and enjoyed the rest of the evening together. After I'd gotten all my tears out, I was able to kick back, laugh with my friends, and just have one last great night out together. And to make it even better, Reagan and Mike were able to come down and meet us. It was so neat to introduce them to all my good friends at La Retraite and to share that special night with them.

Me and Donal

Blurry but epic 

Reagan and I 

The next day as I was walking to work for the last time, I felt that familiar sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I had been counting down the days till summer break, but when the last day arrived, I really didn't feel ready for it. I took my walk nice and slow and tried to soak it all up.

My walk to work. Too early for the shops to be open.

This is my school's street.

Walking into school for the last time.

The day flew by way too fast and before I knew it, the final bell had rung, and I had said goodbye to all my students. After a few more goodbyes to staff members and a final check over my classroom, I locked the door to W12 for the last time, handed in my keys, choked back a tear and closed the book on my school year in London. What a year it's been!