I feel like I’m in some sick version of ‘Groundhog Day’. When I look over the reflections for my lessons I see the same things over and over again – talked too long, poor discipline, didn’t manage class. The problem is, I think of ways around these, I try out new ideas (like Chocolate points, 1 minute detentions, constant praise, isolation, etc) but at the end of the period I write the same thing (mainly about the one class) in my diary. I’m obviously varying the surface but not what is underneath. Then I think I’ve made a huge breakthrough. This perfection lasts maybe a week, maybe only a couple of periods, then it’s gone again.

Anyone who reads Terry Pratchett will know that the magical machine, Hex, tries an infinite number of impossible ways to do something so that it can achieve its goal before the universe notices that what it’s doing is impossible. I feel like that, trying something just long enough for it to work, then when the class realises it doesn’t I have to find another method quick. Unfortunately I am not magical and don’t have an infinite number of solutions up my sleeve. So I soldier on, regardless, and wonder, yet again, what on earth I’m doing here.