Occasionally, teacher good luck messages and the valedictories get a bit mawkish or twee (and wearing my heart on my sleeve, I’m probably as guilty of this as others). That said, I still want to write one for my Y13s.
As I type, they have 15 minutes left in their A Level Lit paper 1, which finishes my part in their studies (Paper 2 was taught by another teacher). I’m expecting most if not all of them to come bursting into the class at that stage to tell me how it went. Tomorrow, during period 4, I get every teacher’s dream – a cheeky free period. But what I don’t get is them …
I’ve known some of you since you started secondary school: that’s 7 school years now. It’s been brilliant to see you grow into smashing young adults. But all of you will be missed. Teaching you has been an absolute blast: especially, of course Richard III and Edward II.
You’ve been an absolutely wonderful group. Your collective interest has done nothing but inspire me – so if a few lessons have been completely insane, you’ve only yourselves to blame! I feel that over these two years I’ve also learned about the plays from you. Future students will benefit from your insight and enthusiasm, and I thank you on their behalf, too.
I really hope that this isn’t the end of Shakespeare or Marlowe for you. At least two of you are furthering your English Lit studies, and I’m excited about that for you: my degree was such a fulfilling three years of my life. I reckon none of you will forget the plays, the playwrights or the stories we built round them – our own AO5s, some of which are probably kept within the four walls we built them in.
Proud to have taught you. Proud to have known you. Keep in touch.
The Boar's Head, Eastcheap 